I have 4 large mature spruce trees that are about 70 feet tall and only about 6 feet from the house. Two are on the west side and two are on the south side so they provide lots of shade. The problem is high winds have caused one of the south side trees to pull out of the ground which is saturated from above average rain. Fortunately it is leaning away from the house because of prevailing winds and lack of root structure toward the house. The other 3 trees seem well anchored, but I am concerned that if high winds bring the west side trees down they will be on the house. I can have the damaged tree completely removed and lose the shade, or I can just have it topped to reduce the height and try to save the tree. I could have them all topped at the same time. I would like to save the trees for the shade and minimize the risk of major house damage. Do you think topping is a reasonable solution? Will the trees tolerate having the top half removed? How goofy will the trees look after being topped? I plan to talk to a tree trimmer to get their opinion and cost estimate.

Got some summer flowering oriental lilies and day lilly bulbs cheap online. Any reason I can't plant them now (some have started to grow in the package). I realize they won't do anything this year but want to get them in the ground before I store them in the garage and lose them!:D