I would like to grow Sweet Birch (Betula lenta) or Yellow Birch (Betula allegheniensis, as well as American beech (Fagus grandiflora) from seed. The beech trees in my area didn't produce any beech nuts this year, and both birch varieties are not very common or known here. Would anyone like to trade with me? I can offer other tree seeds (although it's getting late and I have most sowed already, but where there is a will there is a way, right?)or starts of perennials, or year old tree seedlings. I'm sure we can find some agreement. Thanks in advance. Marc

I'm assuming maples don't drop a lot of junk other than in the fall? ===>>> you almost made me cry on that one .. i was laughing so hard .... seed drop in spring.. the dam-ned helicopters ... is a curse worthy of an 8th plague.. not to mention the 8 or 10 billion seedlings ... i suppose it might matter what kind of maple.. but all the generic ones i have dealt with are problematic at best .... maybe if you find a sterile one .... then you said: This patch of yard gets sun from about 10 am to 7pm and it so hot and dry that I have a hard time getting grass to live through the summer. again.. based on those i have dealt with ... most maple will not support vigorous grass under them .... and the pic below shows why.. they are extremely shallow rooted ... and in 20 years or so.. you will be bouncing over those roots with the lawn mower ... it is an understatement to say I HATE MAPLES ... lol.. like most peeps here will testify .. can i have an amen.. lol ... but that is because i garden under trees ... and maples and a few others are the bane of growing just about anything ... now.. whether or not these things will happen in your lifetime.. is the key ... as most of my problems are from mature trees that were on the property when i moved in .... whether you will be there is 20 to 40 years.. when the real problems start .... well that is for you to answer ... my fallback.. in the choice of trees... is ALWAYS oak ... once they get going.. they can grow 3 to 5 feet per year... just under what a maple can do .... and frankly.. no matter what tree you opt for.. there will be a downside ... acorns.. helicopters.. fruit.. nuts .... barren soil underneath .. etc .... so it will all come down to simply your best choice... as i doubt you will ever find the 'perfect' tree ... IMHO ... the key to clay is simply the planting procedure.. allowing them to get established.. and once they do. they are fully capable of putting their roots where they want them ... for the most part ... good luck ken

Of your list, the trees I am familiar with: - Juglans nigra Black Walnut - allelopathic (puts out a chemical that hinders certain other plants from growing, including rhodies, tomatoes, and roses); Nuts can stain concrete, hands, etc. I like the clear yellow fall color and the sort of gangly look of the tree. - Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum - Prickly seed pods will prevent walking barefoot. Stunning fall color. - Nyssa sylvatica black gum - Stunning fall color and I think this is one of my favorite trees - straight trunks with interesting bark, glossy foliage. Slow growing. Sassafras albidum Sassafras Stunning fall color, interesting leaves. Can sucker, but I don't know how badly if it hasn't been damaged or cut down. - Crataegus phaenopyrum Washington Hawthorne - Are there disease resistant varieties/selections? Susceptible to rust and fire blight, but I don't know if they are likely to be a problem in your area. - Prunus serotina Black cherry - I like it and so do the birds and other critters. Small panicles of white flowers followed by tiny fruit. I wouldn't particularly want it on a suburban lot as it can be messy and seed around a lot, but here on the farm it's a common plant in the process of old field turning into forest. - White Pine isn't probably a good choice for a typical suburban lot, but is another great plant for large areas. Drops limbs in ice storms, drips pitch on vehicles and pavement, can tip over in high winds if the root ball is shallow due to ledge or water restricting root depth - the whole root ball just rips out. Beautiful, however. The trees near the highway survive, but I don't know how highway spray compares to hurricane spray as far as the plant is concerned.

Final update, for me anyways. Sylvia : Papi Amarillis, lavender mint, pink rose For me : Yellow bird of paradise, culinary sage, lemon mint, schoolhouse lily if you have any extra Phyllis : Varigated ginger, lavender mint, lemongrass For me : Flame acanthus, sabrina hollyhocks, purple butterfly bush Seamommy : Orchid For me : Pots and purple salvia will be great Fortunegardener : Rose and mexican mint marigold For me : Texas Star Hibiscus, garden phlox preferred or sedum is fine element : 3 gallon potted Vitex seedling do you have any potted plants on my wish list?? or kombucha baby or several 3 gallon or large pots?? barkingdogwoods : I have a large hawaiian crinum spiderlily, multiplying onions, elephant garlic For me : rooted fig cuttings, corona de cristo passionflower I will have some extras for the orphan table for sure. See you all Saturday.