the current state of things

Here's a simplified schematic of the yard as it currently stands:


[click for larger]

Front yard: The big tree north of the driveway is a locust, the one on the other side is an apricot. Shrubs in the front yard are (clockwise from the corner of the drive + sidewalk): chamisa, another chamisa, a sad lilac, forsythia, and two horrible junipers.

Back yard: Trees and shrubs (along the perimeter, clockwise from the northwest corner): another chamisa, crabapple, Russian Olive, 3 cypress things, an even sadder lilac, and a 3-leaf sumac. The tree in the middle of the lawn is an aspen.