There are fewer leaves to rake this fall. After many years the growth of the oak tree in the backyard threatened the shingles on the roof of the house. We contracted with a tree service to remove the threatening limbs and raise the canopy so we could walk under the tree without walking into rain-laden limbs. More branches and twigs became mulch than we expected. Once again the summer sunlight shone on the patio and this month there will be fewer bags of leaves to till into the garden.

This new pruning technique is called "lion-tailing." The tree, after pruning, looks like a symbol or caricature of a tree. So much foliage was lost that the tree has to be adversely affected. As I look around the county, it appears to be a popular trend. I look on it with the same affection I feel for field bind weed, tree topping and the woolly adelgid.