First impressions are the most important and longest lasting memory of a person, place or thing. This principle holds true for your home and, in particular, your front yard. Realtors, neighbors and landscape architects all agree curb appeal is a critical component of your home’s first impression.

As I was heading south on Highway 29 between Yountville and Napa the other day, I noticed   something unusual that prompted me to pull off the highway and take a closer look. A huge valley oak had collapsed, destroying a large live oak next to it and leaving a pile of logs, limbs and brush on the railroad tracks.

Picture this: a balmy evening, the perfect time to dine outside, and company is about to arrive. You’ve just invested in a new high-tech outdoor kitchen. While sipping a cool drink, a familiar whine suddenly changes everything. Diving close to your ears, pausing long enough for a quick bite, one mosquito can wreck all your plans. Dinner is quickly moved into the house, hopefully without letting in the unwanted guest.

Rehabilitating the curb appeal of an older or historic property requires some specific steps — and more sensitivity than a standard re-landscaping project.