Welcome to Garden Web. I thought you might like to know there is no email link on your member page, thus no way to email you. To set up your email, just go to the bottom on any page here, and click on Member Pages Then click on Edit your Personal Information, Page, and Preferences You will then probably be asked to login in again. Then check the box Allow other users to send you email via forms at our site. That will place a link on your member page. Happy Gardening and trading. Sue

The Northern variety has larger leaves and grows to a larger size. The Southern variety is generally thought to have either more or better flowers.

"Well I went to Sheridan Nursies in Mississauga here and found a sugar maple for $420 + tax. The great thing is is they are very big already in their baskets...maybe like 18 feet. " Someplace in my Photobucket account I have pictures from a Harvard type study on growth rates for different size transplants. End result was the large transplants took longer to recover than smaller ones. Think of it as missed out on growing seasons. I would venture the chance of failure also goes up. BUT if it has a warranty that solves part of that problem. Random thoughts: Sugar maples are classy but not the fastest growers. I love them and if the size of the transplant helps you not have to settle on a lesser tree, go for it. Most trees that are not "male sexed clones" are just going to produce viable seeds. The neighbor thing is interesting. You know the dynamic of the relationship. If the gardenbeds are right on the fence line is it rude of them to want to limit what you plant? Of course it would be rude for anyone to plant bamboo on the property line and not have a plan to contain it for eternity. Maples are pretty normal though.

Northern catalpa is a beautiful tree when in bloom with its large tropical looking flowers. In all honesty, these trees are best suited to large, open spaces. They are relatively fast growing and can reach 40 to 90 feet at maturity. That would mean a root spread of a potential 80 to 180 feet. After many years, of course. In my experience, these trees are no more prone to surface roots than others. This phenomenon is usually related to overly compacted soil because the roots stay near the surface where the air is. Perhaps your best course is to plant the trees as far from the house and pavement as practical, enjoy them - even cleaning up the beans - for as long as they remain good garden citizens, then remove them. One other issue. Again in my experience, these trees are very prone to infestations of black aphids. This may not be true in your area, but if it is you do not want them in a place where the honeydew drips on vehicles, furniture, patios, etc.