Well, I'm back. I took pictures of the plumeria forest. I there is no way to bring the plants back in a pickup truck. I took pictures, I had John who is 6ft 3 stand next to the plants, so K and Richard can see how tall they are. These plumeria trees are the same size as the ones they have in the botantical gardens in Corpus. I can't believe they are actually trees. The only problem I saw was the blooms were all at the top of the trees. K will go down weekend after next to look at them, he is looking for plumeria trees. I don't know if Richard will still want them after he seeds how big they are. I know they are too big for me. I bet they are close to 10 years old. Barbra

Over the years I have helped many customers regain control of large, overgrown land parcels. Do not till the land! Big mistake. The bottom line is that until the trees grow and cast deep shade it is necessary to brush cut the land three times during the growing season. More often, if you wish. A brush cutter will turn that land into a a park with minimal effort. Google "walk behind brush cutters" for an idea of what is available and easiest to use for your situation. The brush cutter will chew up into fine mulch everything it passes over. It's good for the land. Also, when removing vines on trees, cut the vine 12" above the ground and then paint the freshly cut stump with full strength brush killer. If it starts to sprout again, make a new cut in the trunk and repaint with brush killer.

Hi Susan! I was really talking about using real mulch or pine straw close to the desireable plants. I've tried the newspaper and it does help some. As to the paths...we do have paths started. It initially began when I'd make my husband and son tromp through there with me several times a week. Amazingly enough, that helped tremendously. I hadn't thought of grass clippings. We don't have much lawn to mow so it didn't occur to me. But that's a great idea. And no, I haven't tested my soil. Our county extension office offers such a service. I reckon I ought to take them up on it. As I understood it, I should leave the mulch from the brush cutter where is lies. I hoped that the herbicide on whatever wounds I create by cutting, will kill the honeysuckle, dewberry or whatever. The area really is sooooo much better than it was when I started. But I feel so much older than I was then too! AND I work longer hours now. And the trees are still so small! In fact, I've still got a few mimosa's and crap oaks I won't get rid of until the other gain more height. I don't think there are any natives left besides the ones I'm tending. What I have right now, this minute gaining size, are bamboo, trumpet vine, honeysuckle, morning glory and dewberry. AND Florida betony. As to the natives in my future... I've got friends who propagate and hybridize natives for my region. I built their website for barter. Their specialty, and my husband's passion, is the native azaleas. They only sell wholesale but their site is a great resourse for SE native identification... www.doddnatives.com. I also "rescue" natives (especially ferns) from lots that are on the verge of being razed. The lot was at one time my husband's grandfather's vegetable garden and camellia propagation experiment. At that time our road was a dirt road that went nowhere and the florist lady across the street had a cow she grew kudzu for! That was in the 20s. We're now in the middle of suburbia. And it seems all the older ladies on this block (God bless their souls), planted the vines and let them run wild. I don't think there are any natives left that I haven't reclaimed and tended. I'll get my soil tested and try to get your advice on the cover crop by early next week. Meanwhile, I'm SURE there are grass clippings out their waiting for me! Clare

Thanks for all your hard work Karen! Can't wait to read it in its entirety. Jodi-