Question
Hi Gary, I was wondering what advice you could give me regarding my wooded lot. I have a small  house on a 200 by 250 ft. lot. I'm situated toward the back left of the lot so that I wouldn't interfere with the big oak trees. My house faces East and so it tends to look a little dark in there. The grass doesn't really grow thick on account of the shade. I'd also like some kind of fence or naural border with my neighbors to the right of me, but that would further darken the lot, and so I thought maybe a row of bright yellow forsythia bushes or something like that, their house is angled just so that when they come outside they're are looking right at my house. And I still really don't have a suitable drive way either. These are some pretty major trees, and I don't like the idea of trying to cut them down, but in terms of landscape design what are the main things I should be looking for? Like cutting trees towards the front of the yard or the ones around the house, I'm really nestled in there though, I got about 5 big ones all around the house. I like the natural look nothing too manicured. The soil is sand, and its high and dry if that helps. Thanks for your advice

Answer
Babs,

I can give you a few bits of advice, but these are decisions you need to make.  

I understand the natural fence.  Forsythia is deciduous so for aprt of the year you will be exposed.  

If you want grass you ahve to bring more light in.  Having the big trees allows you to have that woodland look.

Good luck

Gary