Ok, thanks! It is putting out more branches further up (although still real low) so, I guess it will be a couple of years of gentle pruning in the winters. What is a good height to start leaving branches? I mean, for the permenant shape of the tree. If it averages 10 ft in height, I can't imagine I would want to prune up too high in the long run, but I probably don't want it to look like a shrub... It sure is vigorous, I'm sort of fond of it already for having so much pep.

You've bitten off a lot trying to start potted trees that size this late in the spring. This is much more difficult than starting a bare root in winter. As to how much to trim back, I'd have to see the tree to make a call on that. But taking off 50% or more of foliage consistent with proper shaping of the tree might be about right. Try to spread the roots or cut the ones circling the inside of the pot. Water at first about like you did while it was in the pot. Until it establishes roots outside the rootball, it is very drought prone. This is the real problem with planting potted trees this late. If you water too much you drown the tree. Not enough and it struggles along drought stressed. Paint the trunk with white interior latex paint. If you really want to go all out, shade it with 2-3 layers of heavy floating row cover the rest of the summer. Sorry if this sounds like a lot. I hope your trees do well.

Karalynn and teeka, cassia bicapsularis is a great idea. I will have to think of where I can put a couple in the future. My neighbor has one that is gorgeous right now, and teeka, I remember seeing yours from your video...stunning. Ariel, I don't know why, but I kill all my salvias. I can't grow them. Have tried several types several times. I've seen your beauties though. Maybe next spring I'll try again. Yes, my coleus is looking raggedy, and I'm worried about tonight and what that's going to do to my heliconias that are just starting to bloom. Teeka, I do have a dombeya seminole that is just starting to bloom- nothing like yours. It doesn't get as much sun as it used to, but still very pretty. It just goes to show that it's important to have good 'bones' in your yard to take the spotlight when other stuff gets bitten back. It's just so early, though. Anna

I too love the look of my "bare" house after the Christmas decorations are put away. I start out decorating after Thanksgiving and am all too ready to start putting things away after Christmas. I start putting away a few days after Christmas, but I always leave the tree up until after New Years. I really go all out so it's usually and week's work to get everything put away. I'm fortunate that I teach school and have the time off, so I just do it at a snail's pace. I do like to everything put away before heading back to work after the new year. We put up a tree in the LR that has all vintage ornaments (over 1000), it's actually my DH's baby. He collected most of the ornaments. He takes that down, and he does it real slow. That tree has been up as long as the beginning of Feb. LOL.