Hi: I was intrigued by the Lark Labels web site & e-mailed them to get current pricing; here's part of their e-mail response, giving the basic pricing: Pricing First Label 2-99 100+ 3" x 1" on a 12" x 1/2" stake $13.00ea $8.45ea $7.45ea (Rocky) 4" x 2" on a 20" x 1/2" stake $13.00ea $8.95ea $7.95ea 5" x 3" on a 20" x 3/4" stake $15.00ea $10.95ea$9.95ea 6" x 4" on a 20" x 3/4" stake $17.00ea $12.95ea$11.95ea I had to re-format that a bit, since the spacing got messed up switching to a forum post format. And the heading (1'rst label, then labels 2-99, then for 100+) listing doesn't line up with the 3 price columns, so be mindful of that. I was curious as to what 4 classic markets would cost me, and this is what they had to say: So for your four plants with our 4" x 2" the first plant is $15.00 the next 3 are $8.95ea, shipping will be $10.95 for a total of $52.80. Longer stakes are $0.45 per 6". Do you have vandalism concerns? Add our stake anchor for $1.50 and use the .063 thick nameplates which are an additional $0.55ea. These prices are good for however much information we can fit on the nameplate ... rules of thumb ... the 4" x 2" holds about 3-4 lines with 30-35 characters per line. The 5" x 3" holds about 4-5 lines with 40-45 characters per line. Richard.

To quote Alan Mitchell (The Trees of North America) - "The top of a tree, its base and your eye form a triangle with a right angle between the stem of the tree and the ground. Hence, when the whole tree makes an angle of 45* from your eye, the two sides formed by the tree and your distance from the tree are equal. You are the same distance from the base as the tip is, and were the tree to fall, its tip would land at your feet. This distance can be measured exactly along the ground. To find the point at which the angle is 45*, a miniature of the real triangle is made. Break a stick so that its length is exactly the length of your fully stretched arm. Hold it vertically at arm's length. Move to where the top and bottom of the stick align with those of the tree. You are then at the desired point." His diagram makes it very clear, but I can't reproduce that. He also says that "unpractised estimates by eye usually much underestimate trees of 20-40 ft, and grossly overestimate trees of 80-100 ft."

Thank you for all the prompt answers! I really do appreciate it! I have been blessed with the most beautiful home and land and am so wanting to make the right choices to make it 'mine'. Denise - you are right about the abundant nurseries but most are wholesale only and the few that I visited that were not did not carry much variety. My property has ample oaks so I am not seeking more of those. The nurseries are generally full of Oak varieties, some Crepe Myrtles, and some hollies. Nothing against any of those but other than the one Crepe Myrtle guy in our area, I havent been bowled over by any varieties I have seen (yet). I am - so far - narrowing down to the Texas Olive, the Mimosa, Bottlebrush, and Crepe Myrtles. I have not researched the trees that Fagopher mentioned - might be options. I dont think finding a Texas Olive is going to be easy although I suppose I could order one online. Have never seen one in person though, and I am highly visual. Since this is to be a 'focal tree' I would rather choose an 'individual'. I may get a Texas Olive for another area, however, as they seem particulary nice. Mimosas - probably the same issue. Gotta find one. Then there is that issue of them dropping young ones all over for my husband to clean up! I have heard that is an issue. I just today stopped by a vendor on the roadside just down the road from me and she says she has Weeping Bottlebrush Trees - big ones - at her nursery. I may go take a look tommorrow. Those tempt me primarily because of my hummingbird. He / she used to visit our lemon tree but it died with the freeze. Our old place had a stunning Bottlebrush so I know they can be pretty but I sure havent seen many others that had much of a look. Crepe myrtles abound around here and there is a fellow around the corner that has some beauties including red rockets and cotton burgandies that I found particularly beautiful. I will definitely add some Crepes to my yard - likely line my fenceline with them so that they blend in when dormant and display themselves when in bloom. My only concern with using one as a focal tree is that dormant time. How long does it last and is it worth the wait for the impact of other seasons? Gatormom - you mention the birds like them. Do you think they would be attractive to hummingbirds too? How do they look when dormant? Are they tolerable when 'naked?' Remember - this is a tree that will be in a prominant place! Fagopher - I know where you can find a tipuana tipu - at Katkins house! :) Thanks again for all the input and advice.

I was actually looking into how to bring plants into the country while traveling and I found this link on the USDA's website. It says how 12 plants are allowed in as long as there are no special restrictions on those plants but you will need a phyto from the country the plants are from. You can check on the USDA website to know which plants you will be able to bring in without any restrictions. That's the easy way. You could also bring plants in that have special requirements but then you need to get the permits and you might also need to set up a quarantine area to keep the plants for two years. All these things can be set up from the USDA epermit website. That's also where you can get permits to import seeds from other countries. Here is a link that might be useful: USDA FAQ