Last week we were testing out some possibilities for the height of the first floor (shooting elevations/grades). Much to our dismay it revealed serious problems with the red maple tree on the corner near the streets. That corner is 18″ higher than the low corner opposite it. This means that we would either have to dig into the root system even more (the water line runs 5-6′ to the side of it) or fill the other side (very expensive). Even with a compromise between the two there would still be serious drainage concerns where the tree would be higher than the house. Lastly, leaving the tree meant that the excavator would have to work around it, and at $90/hr…

So, alas, we spent the last two days removing the tree. I felt bad–especially when I saw one neighbor drive by with a stunned look.