The tale of the Olive Tree

We had an olive tree in our yard that was left to grow way too tall and the leaves were all at the top. Olives trees are supposed to be short and spread wide. The olive tree leaned over our pool and whenever a slight wind came along, it would dump all kinds of leaves, blossoms and dirt into the water. Daily I cleaned the pool (even though it's still too cold to go in!)and daily I had to scoop tons of stuff off the top and vacuum more off the bottom. Today Darrell decided that he'd like to cut off all the branches from the tree. With a very short ladder leaning precariously against the tree, he climbed up and started cutting. I watched occasionally from the window but just about had a heart attack every time his feet would leave the tree and he'd hang off a branch. He is one that never does half a job; it's all or nothing with my husband. He attacks a project and will not stop until it's done. I guess anyone that's ever worked with him will vouch for the truth of that statement:)I did retrieve his blade a few times as it fell to the ground. He cut most of it with a tiny saber saw blade + a manual tree saw. Then the massive job of cutting it all up and bundling it for the garbage men who will come pick it up. One thing is for sure, we will have way less clean-up in our yard from now on. It was such a messy tree! The olive tree has been cut off from the top and hopefully will start sprouting new shoots much lower next time.