when Laura is handed lemons, she not only makes lemonade, but also lemon cookies and lemon cake and lemon muffins... your outlook on life and adversity is wonderfully refreshing, Laura...

"We're not in control."That's one of the big things that gardening teaches us. Glad that no one's hurt, not a lot of property and garden damage and new ideas are popping up. Stay inspired and motivated!

Laura, in the midst of the chaos, trims sunflowers, makes a bouquet and “romances the ordinary” in the Hartley.

Watching this again in June 2024. Laura is always encouraging, positive and just a joy to watch, even during the gardening losses. I can’t believe how much the property has changed and improved since then 😍

More " Lessons from Laura"- faith, acceptance, hope, perseverance, patience, delight.....Thanks Laura...this was a lesson I needed right now!

Putting the sunflowers in the Hartley like you did, is like a sign up HOPE for your beautiful gardens. 🌻

Very sorry you lost the beautiful spruce. Trees are so majestic and we want them to live forever; sad when these things happen. Quite impressed with how you all sprang into action cleaning up the aftermath, finding the good, and starting planning for the future. Grateful the Hartley is unscathed too. Thank you for sharing the experience and the knowledge for keeping future trees better protected. Sending virtual hugs.

I don't even know if you will read this but because you are always so respectful of others and nature, respect is returned to you 10 fold. It is so refreshing to see this in action. Our world needs to see it too. I hope whoever watches this video will understand what I see.

If you do find your hands covered in sap, just use mayonnaise and water... it takes the sap right off! (Working at a garden center during Christmas tree season, ya learn things😁)

I am grateful that I can see how you navigate this year in your garden. You have projects that you dreamed about and those you did not; i.e. the spruce. But you keep going and have a terrific attitude. Gardening really depicts one’s mental stamina as well as the physical! I love being on this side of the camera and anticipating the results! Way to be, Laura and Aaron!

I loved your approach and attitude about this tragedy…I’m in Wyoming, we lost a big Blue Spruce that was probably close to 30 years old last September (also to a freak wind storm)! It was a HUGE part of our landscape, but you’re right, it gives us new opportunities and views (some good, some not so). Thank you for all the positivity! There’s a reason your garden channel has over a million subscribers🥰

Laura is so humble and doesn't realize how much clout she and Aaron have. Of course the native tree company came out right away, even though Laura said "When you have time"! Love it! 🌻🐓🐈

I am glad no one got hurt .

I love how you make losing a beautiful tree a positive thing! Whatever you do there will be just as beautiful❤️❤️

It is always sad to lose a beloved tree and your glass half full attitude (so soon after losing the tree) is admirable. When planting a few trees this spring I dug up baskets, twine and burlap from trees that had apparently been planted long before we were here. A fertilizer pack planted with one suggested they had been planted in the early 1980s. So after 40 years NONE of that had broken down. I’ve long believed in removing everything from B&B trees but that was illuminating for me to see.

Love watching Benjamin grow and seeing how helpful he is. He’s growing with all this knowledge. Oh yeah, him on his gator was glorious to see.

I believe one of the blessings of being a gardener is seeing the resilience of nature, thus improving our ability to become more resilient. Thanks for your example of a resilient attitude!

Oh my stars! What incredible footage you got! You never cease to amaze me, Laura! This video is epic, and even though my heart aches for your loss of that beautiful tree, you are so positive in your attitude. It is inspiring to me. So much learning obtained and new opportunities to move on from here. And it could’ve been so much worse. So glad the Hartley was unscathed! 🙏🙏🙏🙏💚

The more I watch Laura the more I love her and her family. I feel like I actually could just start a conversation like a friend if I ran into her. They are such hard worker's! Hands on, I love it.

When a storm knocks over your sunflowers,make a bouquet 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

So glad you guys are okay. Hope the store and your Mom and Dad’s home are okay too.

So cute... that little display of sunflowers in the Hartley 🥰

Thankful no one was hurt. Now you get to create a new area in your landscape. What I love most about gardening is that it's never finished.

Wow!!! You know, although that beautiful tree fell to the ground there are SO many tender mercies thrown in there from above! The protected boxwoods, the pretty much untouched locust tree, the little Pinecones you could hunt for with Benjamin, and new opportunities and vision for something different in the garden and not to mention that no one was hurt! The Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings…and what is important to you is to Him as well. Gosh, if that doesn’t show how He loves your Garden Laura…as well as your sweet little family…I don’t know what does♥️♥️♥️♥️ thanks for sharing such a good attitude about something that someone else might seem horrible. Attitude determines altitude ☺️

You’re garden isn’t in chaos.....it’s in transition. That’s what I say about mine when in reality it’s just a hot mess!

On a good note look at the tree without the ring around it! It looks so much better without it! I loved that blue spruce, but it does open up so much opportunity.

I guess it’s amazing that tree stood up as long as it did! Glad the damage was minimal!

Thankful no one was physically hurt. Your positive attitude is great! And only lost one tree, your fortunate.

Amazing you got footage of the tree coming down. It was such a gorgeous tree. I know you'll come up with a wonderful plan for the space but gosh, that was such a beautiful, big tree to lose. Your positive attitude is inspirational. Glad the Hartley's okay!

Laura: grieving the loss of a big and beautiful spruce tree. Also Laura: I can plant so many pretty things here

At 20:41 a brick pathway would be really nice indeed ! What about a slim pallet pathway ? A hidden path inside the flower bed would be so much fun for the kids and visitors !

So glad your family is okay! Sorry for the loss of your blue spruce. Your property is beautiful!

I loved Benjamin riding his lawn tractor! He is such a good helper! ❤️

Sorry about the tree but you were a real trooper in handling it. We all know how much you enjoyed it but you took it all in stride! Good example to set for us all.

Laura, we are definitely your people…”Is the Hartley okay?” Lol. So glad there was no other real damage and everyone is okay. I so admire your wonderful perspective on life. …and dang the contractors in your area are awesome! Such a blessing.

I love how Benjamin put his feet in the air so you didn't have to bend down too far. What a considerate soul!

As a beginner in gardening, I need to learn your positive attitude first before learn gardening. Always enjoy watching your videos. Thank you.

Great positive outlook, great personality! 🌸 Gratitude in all you do, whether unforeseen difficulty or smooth sailing moments. Have a super weekend!

I am so sorry, I am crying for you, Laura and Aaron. RIP beautiful, beautiful tree, you gave everyone so much pleasure. There will be many babies around, in your honour......

So sorry for your loss in your yard. Y'all put so much care and time into your beautiful landscape, etc. You certainly have a great/healthy attitude. You have a wonderful little helper doing a GREAT job! God bless

I know exactly how you were feeling. Lost my fave massive oak tree in the aftermath of a hurricane….right in front of my eyes! It was old, so beautiful, but now a gorgeous flower bed sits…I think of it as Mother Nature just cleaning house, wanting a change! 😆😉 it was sad, but I’m sure you’ll plant and grow beautiful things there, can’t wait to see the process.

I saw "storm aftermath" and was like oh no, is everyone okay! So happy to see that everyone is safe and the damage is a new look into the future.

Oooh Laura... so happy you and the family atte unharmed. I know you probably cried over that huge Spruce. But wow... we could all see those gears working after the clean- up. Your eyes lit up and the smile burst out just like the sunrise. I could see that new walkway through your eyes. Its going to be a Christmas parade! How many landscapers benefited from the new information on that stupid wire basket. Lots..... You always teach even in a storm. It is my prayer that God will continue to bless you and in turn .... all of your followers.... 💞

LOVE Benjamin driving his tractor, undoubtedly working 🥰. Cleaning up the Garden. In our area, we usually get plenty of rain, the Evergreens will fall over and have small root balls. I think it is just the "Nature of the Beast". God has provided you an opportunity for new Projects and No Haters that you removed a tree. 🥰 You Obviously Pay your Bills quickly that your Tree Service came so fast. 🥰

You guys do a great job with change...we must adapt to any changes God gives us. We have all been thrown into a whirlwind in the last year and a half. We must move forward and adapt to our environment, and life itself. Have a blessed week.

“We may be small, But the things inside our hearts, Could fill up the sky.” I believe that we can survive against the upcoming pandemic! I’m Glad that we’re ok! God Blesses Everyone! Be Safe and wear a mask when you’re on a trip or something like that, I believe that we will be safe! Best Wishes to Everyone who sees this comment! I Am sure that when we do these chores every day, We can be happy and safe! “We can still be safe, And we can still Go On.” Our hearts can still Go On. “They won’t last quickly, They’ll Stay by our side.”

This was another opportunity for me to know your attitudes--both mental and physical. Within one morning you cleared up everything and now you are looking at a new direction. AMAZING!!

Thrilled the 'peasant girl' survived! The butterfly garden is looking gorgeous. Your optimism is inspiring.

Knowing that your spruce tree got beaten down on a storm and you're still being positive, that's awesome of you! thank you for sharing the endless positive vibes you have to keep going in despite of unwanted and unexpected happenings.❤️

Oh, so sad! It was neat to see the clean up process. Looking forward to seeing how you "spruce up" the area in time ;).

I love your attitude. Sincere disappointment alongside an assurance that, although you love beautiful things, your hope is not in your home and garden. I just love you

What a great opportunity to show everyone what things look like underground after all those years by taking the “quick” way to plant trees. I guess I side with Aaron on a lot of the “let’s rip it all out and start over” rather than limping things along. Your style is so beautiful and maybe another way to describe the gardens you design would be romantic. When you showed the shrubs that you have started planting on the new property and explained your vision for that area I got a little emotional and teary eyed. Not sure why, I guess I can just envision the peacefulness and oasis you are creating for yourself, family and friends to enjoy. I think I realized how much I truly love your style when you developed the brick pathway area/vegetable garden. It’s one of my favorite areas along with the chicken coop area. Those areas are 100% all your design and help me the most in my gardens for inspiration. Also, the fountain area behind the chicken coop. So while I do enjoy mature gardens/plants on your property I think I get much more excited seeing your gardens you did from scratch “grow up” as Benjamin would say.

Oh, thank goodness for cordless leaf-blowers! Laura, I love your positive attitude, and thanks to the windstorm, you have fresh new pinecones to use for decorating. Thank God, no one was hurt, so it's all good! ~Margie

I would absolutely love to get a step by step on your design process for this area! Would be great to see especially for people like me who are just starting out creating gardens.

My heart went out for Laura after seeing all the damage and work left to do. However, with Laura's positive reaction and words, even though she was sad, I felt better. Laura we know you, and before you know it EVERYTHING will be in top shape and looking BETTER than ever. Be blessed. Keep on smiling💞

Laura is absolutely the most optimistic person I’ve ever known! Glad everyone is ok.

It was sad to lose the spruce but now it’s gone that other large tree to the right is now looking really nice. It frames the view to the new land.

One of the best parts of this video was seeing you cut the sunflower blooms from the fallen plant and arranging them in a vase for the Hartley!

So thankful you, Aaron and the children are safe. The tree is a painful lose but can be replaced with something else beautiful. I love that your mind goes straight to options for the area. Also had to smile when you salvaged the sunflower blooms and put them in the Hartley. You don’t waste any opportunity to made lemonade out of the lemons life hands you. You never said anything about the espalier pear behind the barn. Can we assume it was unscathed? Again we are so thankful you, Aaron snd the children are safe. You are a real inspiration for all of us.

Your voice when you saw the tree falling was so sad. But as always you rebounded with enthusiasm and new plans. You'll miss it for sure, but looking forward to the magic you'll create!!

So much on your plate! Thank goodness the Hartley was not damaged, that would have broken your heart! Such positivities you have! Love how you put the sunflowers in the Hartley, goes to show your passions and attitude are in line with your heart. Kind of like if you get lemons make lemonade!

When a tree comes down so easily there usually is an underlying reason. Shallow rooted trees are the worst. And not planted properly doesn’t help either.

Hi Laura! WOW! That was quite a wind storm! I'm sorry you lost your blue spruce, but happy that you see a positive side to it. Natural Tree did an awesome job with the removal and cleanup! I'm glad you were able to show their process and the end results. It was interesting watching them. I'm anxious to see what ideas you come up with for that area. Aaron, kudos on the tree repair! I'm glad that everyone is safe and noone was hurt. That's the main thing! Benjamin riding his tractor and helping collect pinecones was so cute! The sunflowers in the Hartley was a nice touch. Thank you so much for sharing!

You're actually pretty Blessed. My daughter and family lives in AZ and their house was flooded from the monsoon weather and they had over $100,000 worth of damage done on their ranch. Insurance doesn't pay for it. They lost their well, septic, garage, two AC units and a heater. Two storage sheds and all the material they just bought for a 5 stable barn were taken to the dump. She felt Blessed because her house was built elevated so the water came up to the bottom of the top block of the foundation so her house was saved. It's been 3 weeks and they are still cleaning up their Ranch. Count your blessings. It could have been much worse. After cleaning up her beautiful front yard, her PW Limelights, PW perennials and grass were in really good shape. I'm grateful they were safe, you can always replace stuff. ♥️

The sunflowers you put in the Hartley are a touch of brightness. I am sorry you lost the tree, but so glad that it wasn't worse. Benjamin is so cute on his tracker!

Things do happen for a reason, sometimes it's hard to take 😭 but in the long run,it was for the best.I take my hats off to you my dear Laura for having an amazing attitude.You inspire so many that's why we LOVE you so much.Stay safe and healthy and may the ALMIGHTY continue to BLESS YOU and your family 🙏 ❤️❤️❤️🥰😘

Negative --- tree fell Positive --- " Oh look I can reach those cool pinecones." I love Laura....always positive.

I’m so happy nobody was hurt and your plants around it made it out ok. I’m impressed how you roll with the punches when Mother Nature shows her furious power. Thank you for showing us how to handle losses of tree’s and cleaning up after. Love from Ohio 🌲💚🌿🌼

Cant wait to see what you do with the pine cones.

Great coverage of the removal of your tree. The music kinda made it an uplifting event instead of something sad. We know it is sad to lose a tree like that. Your videos are so professional especially with something like this. 🌲🌻🍃

I’m sorry to see and hear about the tree you lost to the storm, Laura, but I’m glad you are staying positive. I’m a retired teacher, and when my students were disappointed by something out of our control, I’d always say to them, “Remember, if that’s the worst thing that happens to us today, we’ll be lucky.” Saying that always helped their perspective.

Thank the Lord!! He is so good! 🙌❤️❤️❤️

Ugh, that’s heartbreaking. I definitely wouldn’t want to plant any shallow rooted trees like that near the Hartley 😳🥺

Is the tree company the same one that you get your wood chips from? Aka, will we see the spruce again in the form of chips on your ground?

Awesome tree company!! Love your attitude about not getting anxious about things you can't do anything about. God is in control; we are not.

That Blue Spruce is an analogy of life. Life is full of the unexpectant Things of life. Yes, beyond our control. The only control we have is how we choose to deal with these unexpectant circumstances. Your postive attitude is a testimony. In the scheme of life this is small.

We watched an evergreen tree go down last year on our lawn, it was heartbreaking but like you said it opens up another vision of what we could do in that area. I dug it up in our woods 21 years ago, it grew to be the most beautiful tree I've ever seen! Got it cleaned up and moved on. You are such an inspiration, thank you for sharing your joys and sadness of gardening!

OMGoodness!! I am just Thankful Y'all are Safe. Sad about Trees but more can be planted. Keep the Faith. Hugs 💞💞💞💞

I really feel for you and Aaron. Living here in tropics , tropical cyclones and dealing with its aftermath has become part of our life. Our cyclone season is between November to April. Growing up, December holidays always meant yard cleaning and playing on fallen trees. So yeah, one can never beat nature so best attitude is Laura's attitude....i.e a whole lot of postivity !!!

You are one of Natural Tree's best customers! No wonder they got to you quickly. Sometimes good, and sometimes hard, but you keep them busy! I love the new view, too! Looking south, the beautiful structure of the (now) lone tree is more easily seen and frames the view. So fun to see your mind working on what you will do with the area now. You are a great example of keeping a positive outlook! ☀🌻😀

Wow guys! I'm so sorry!! Being positive is a blessing!! I think we all learned about all the string not being in the root ball. I'm so happy you all are fine. Thank you Jesus!! Wheww. Blessings and love going out to you. ❤

I'm already excited to see new things developing and watching your creativity flourish for this area!!!

Seeing your disappointment turn to excitement about the new possibilities is a relief; I know how much you loved that tree. So, did the tree service drop the blue spruce chips on the new property? Pretty soon it's not going to be the new property anymore. Once all the grass grows in it's going to be the front yard! Thanks for setting a great example for the rest of us gardeners when we find ourselves mourning the loss of a favorite tree, and for reminding us that, indeed, we are not in control. ~ Lisa

And this is why we love our dear Laura. "One of my favorite trees that was 30 years old, priceless, and irreplaceable, just fell over, but I love my new view! What a great way to live your life!

I loved hearing Laura say "y'all" when she was pulling out the gloves for pine cones. That made this southern girl smile! :)

Yikes !! My goodness... I cant imagine the feeling you and Aaron had while running around the side to check on the juniper. Phew! If that had come down you'd gave heard it, but still... the moments before turning the corner 🤯 so glad that all your newly planted trees did well 👍🏼👍🏼

The whole time I'm thinking "if only we really could go that fast" with the fast motion going. Then I about fell over when she said it was done in the morning!! Maybe Laura really DOES move that fast. That would have taken me days to complete even the simple clean up(I'd probably not even done some of it). AND she filmed which takes even longer. You are an inspiration in your wonderful attitude & go get it done way of doing things. Which is why so many of us enjoy even a "clean up after the storm" video when it is from Garden Answer!

Praise Almighty God that no one got hurt and there wasn't any severe damage to your house, hartley, barn, out buildings. Keep your chin up & may you & your family be blessed.🙏 Glad you are focusing on this new opportunity to design that space and make it even prettier😊

You can see Gods protection in the mist of the storm. Trials aren’t fun but you have such a positive outlook. Gods peace within us. I’m so happy your Hartley is ok! 🙏🙏🙏

I love when you show the reality of cleanup and bits of stuff everywhere! We're in hurricane season over here and it can be so discouraging to walk out and see mess everywhere after a storm, knowing after you clean up there will just be another storm. I'll have to save this video for inspiration! Haha!

I’’m going to be honest. I love that open view to the cut flower garden! With the spruce gone, what a breathtaking expanse. It draws your eye and spirit beyond those lush greens towards the color in the distance. Especially once the new flower bed is in along the drive.

Like it never even happened!! Wow Laura, Aaron, Benjamin and Natural Tree got it done!! Fantastic clean up operation and such positivity for what can come as a result of it! No good crying over spilt milk…mop it up and move on! Well done guys!

Glad there wasn't more damage, can't wait to see what's next. So amazing that you caught the tree going down, and the cleanup was so fast. The tree service you use is amazingly efficient.

Talk about making lemonade out of lemons!! Laura your an inspiration. I saw your Instagram story when it fell and wondered how you would handle and and we’ll frankly I’m shocked you’re so happy. It will be great to create new beds and walkways etc and I Can Not Wait to come along with you for the ride.

You have such a wonderful attitude when handling adversity!! Bless your heart. You just plow on through. Take care and be safe

That tree gave you love and grace on its way down. So sweet.

Whew, what a year you have had! Babies, Hartley’s and wind storms. You will be so glad to see this one roll over. Glad all is well.

Oh that's so sad for you all ,sending love and hugs!

Nothing is more satisfying than watching a blower tidy up an area! 😍

Oh my goodness! Thank God no one was hurt! We are absolutely not in control, you're so right. I love the view and your attitude! Please remove the juniper that's so close to your house. I know that it is well loved, but it's just too close to your precious family! Cheers to new opportunities!!!