Instead of cutting an unwanted tree to the ground, you can girdle the tree near the bottom, cut off the top canopy and have your own little feeding ground of bugs for our fine feathered friends.

Although you may not want this bird treat front and center of your yard, the woodpecker you hear drumming for bugs at 6 a.m. is well worth the ugly factor.  If the tree falls after time, it can only do so much damage because its canopy is gone.

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.