We started this one early on Labor Day morning. I had a flight to catch later in the day, and with it being a holiday, the roads were wide open. Normally Broomall traffic is a mess since it’s right on the edge of Philly, but that morning it was smooth sailing.

The homeowner was a Philly K9 cop. He’d just finished an overnight shift and still came out to meet us with no sleep. He’s been on the force for about 15 years, and as it turns out, my cousin knows him too. Funny how small the city can feel sometimes.

He wanted to block out the row of houses behind his yard, so we lined up 25 Green Giants across the back. These were 6–7 footers—big enough to make an immediate difference and already tall enough to block the view right away. Over the next couple of years they’ll grow together quickly, closing the gaps and giving him the solid green wall of privacy he was looking for.

Caleb and I had some fun with it while we worked. I kept saying, “you gotta labor on Labor Day,” which made me laugh more than it made him. He mostly just rolled his eyes and kept planting.

The ground wasn’t the easiest to work with. There were roots everywhere from the understory brush and small trees that had been cleared before we got there. But we worked through it. Hole by hole, tree by tree, the line started to take shape.

By mid-morning the last tree was set, mulch rings were going down, and the backyard already felt different—quieter, more private, and a whole lot closer to what the homeowner had in mind when he called us out.

Want the same for your yard? Our Green Giants are locally grown and ready to plant—whether you need just a few or a full row like this one. You can choose your trees online, schedule an install, or reach out with questions. Either way, we’ll make sure your trees are planted right and ready to thrive.