We knew the tree in our entryway had to go—it was taking up valuable space and blocking the view. We really weren’t sure what to expect. We thought it could go either way: it might be a relatively simple project or we could get into a bit of a tricky mess. It turned into quite the family demo adventure!
Why Was There a Tree in the Entryway?
The previous owners of the house had a deep love for gardening. The husband, a biology teacher, was passionate about birds and trees, which is why they decided to plant one right in the entryway. While it was a unique and meaningful feature for them, we knew it was time to reclaim the space for a more functional entryway.
The Removal Process
At first, Chad took our Craftsman saw and cut the tree down, thinking that was the best approach. Later, we realized we could have just pulled the roots up, probably because we hadn’t watered the tree since we purchased the home over a year ago! Should have guessed, right?
Chad and our oldest son took on the next phase, digging about a foot deep to remove the remaining dirt and roots. We were relieved to find that the roots weren’t too deep, making the process easier than we expected.
Demo Time
Even the girls got involved in the demo, helping to knock down the bricks. It was definitely a team effort! We carefully chiseled away the bricks from around the window, crossing our fingers that we wouldn’t break anything. Thankfully, we managed to keep the window intact.
We hauled the bricks away, leaving behind a 14-inch-deep hole in the floor. That was a sight to see! Chad only removed the necessary dirt so we could add new floor joists and subflooring to fill in the space.
The Transformation
With the tree gone, the whole entryway feels so much more open and usable. We can finally see out the window, and the extra space makes such a difference. It’s amazing how much impact a small change like this can have on a space!
What’s Next After Removing the Tree?
With the tree gone and the floor prepped, we’re ready to transform this entryway! Stay tuned and sign up for my email list to follow along as we bring this space to life!
