First, the Tree(s)

This is not the best view, but we had the Liquid Amber taken out. It provided great shade, but it was right on the property line, dropping gumballs into our neighbors' driveway and tearing it up with roots. Eventually it would have dropped a branch onto one of their cars. In the middle you can see the Camphor tree -- we had that trimmed (probably for the first time ever) so it will grow to have a nice high shady canopy.

We also had some smaller trees and bushes taken out. The plan is to put a Cypress hedge along the back fence for shade and privacy. That will be more neighbor-friendly than the Liquid Amber. You can see where I tore up some of the walkway to salvage the flagstone before the workers come to really tear everything up.