Trees in Winter

This weekend we found a big fluffy cedar down in the driveway. It was only about twelve years old so shouldn't have fallen. No wind. No apparent disease.  Just gave up the ghost.  (What DOES that really mean??)  Meanwhile, we're taking down lots of truly dead trees along our lane, ripping out ivy, and securing the fenceposts. Nothing makes a property look so derelict as broken fences!  Winter is the best time to get these chores done. I was just thinking that when I saw Jeff Minnich's blog on tree work. He's a landscape designer in the D.C area who often comments on this blog . Take a look at his charming and informative blog: http://minnichgardendesign.com/blog/?p=351