oldmainer, We have about 800 ft of driveway, with half of it being a 60-ft wide right-of-way in from the road to the front yard. Initially, we planted northern red oak seedlings at 30 ft spacings on each side, but they just sort of 'sat there', not really putting on any significant growth for nearly 10 years; in the meantime, I become interested in pecans, and subsequently planted grafted pecan trees in between each of the red oaks, with plans to remove the oaks once the canopies of the trees began to touch. The oaks have subsequently 'taken off' - but I'll probably still remove them when the time comes. There's one area that's sort of low-lying and a bit wider than the rest that I've also planted pawpaws and mayhaws in, as it's almost boggy in the winter/early spring. Also had room to stick in a good shagbark hickory or two, and some redbuds for additional spring bloom to contrast with the mayhaws. The apples in my orchard are a PITA to mow around - pears less so, as they tend to be more upright in growth habit. Persimmons and mulberries tend to be better with regard to growth habit that lends itself to mowing around, as well.

Hi Everyone, First thank you for your comments and helpfulness. I have numerous pictures but at the present moment, I am uncertain as to how to post them...smiles. I have clipped a few edges to see if there were any green left to them and from the tips I would say no. As mentioned, right now, these two large branches do not have any flowers on them and look dead in appearance. If fact, I just spoke to a gentleman who sold me the tree a few years back and he was saying that the winters here in Illinois have been very bad on the Redbuds in fact to the point of him no longer carrying them due to all the one year guarantees he had lost. Smiles. This tree only has about 6 main branches and if I cut out the two, I have a feeling, it may then be best to cut the whole tree out given that it is not that big and all the diseases this tree is suseptible to. Right now, I am thinking of possibly a Kousa Dogwood given that I do not want something too large given that it will be situated next to a sidewalk. I would like something with decorative flowering and the possibly a maroon leaf during the year. Again, I am in Illinois. Thanks, MEtten

The fact that you followed the recommendations for "root stimulation" definitely raises an eyebrow but you haven't got anything to lose by waiting. Redbud leaf buds can be inconspicuous and if it's too young to flower it might just look dead. Rather than the "scratch test" I prefer what I call the "snap test" and that is if you go to lightly bend branches, do they flex or do that snap and break off? I don't know that I'd wait a whole year... if it doesn't leaf out in by june, it's probably not going to. Avoid the place you bought it from but try it again. Find somewhere that has a return policy. Next time around don't use any root stimulator or fertilizer. And don't plant in the summer. Wait until fall.

hey everyone , thanks for the replies !! ill try to reply to everyone in small paragraphs : we are in Chardon , Ohio , 40 minutes east of Cleveland. By Mentor, Kirtland, etc .. all were known for is snow and maple syrup. the snow usually all melts away by mid to late march though. were not shopping at tyty , but used them for a pic reference . there are several nurseries by me , just dont know which are the best. some people have japanese maples around me , they seem to do fine ... but i am no expert . they are nice trees, but expensive by me . i have a small red oak to the left of the driveway from the picture's view... i could probably just uproot it and replant. ide say its 4' tall and about the diameter of my thumb . its the ONLY oak on my 2 acres. my woods consist of pignut hickories, black cherries, sugar maples, bigtooth aspens, and a few basswoods. the only 3 elms on my property are all huge and dead. i have the ability to replant the red oak and i have a ton of sugar maples that are under 8' tall . crabapples are great. i have been eating them since i was a kid. i will incorporate one of them in the mix for sure. i see that the bradford pear is a pain in the butt and cracks and splits since its trunks are so close theres no room for expansion i guess. however, the Cleveland Select pear tree seems to get a better reputation . i wouldnt line the driveway with them , as i do like functioning trees like maples and crabapples, serviceberries , etc. i can respect the notion that those choices are better than ornamental trees that are pretty but probably wont outlive you and dont bear fruit. i dont plan on living here longer than 5-10 years, so any tree i pick i wont be able to see it in all its glory. thats ok though . also , i have a septic system in the middle of the yard so i cant plant them everywhere as i would like . they have to be within 15' of the driveway and they can be as big as i would like . the house is surrounded by 60-120' trees . here is another link to my layout but shot in the fall . you can see the 2 septic line service covers in the grass painted in green. Middle of the yard and inline with the pine trees in the corner . i need to get a blueprint of the septic drain lines so i can maybe plant a few in the middle of the yard too! from left to right in the pic there is a basswood and a couple pignuts in the front we just love and then a couple white pines. we have a lot to digest now from all the replies. ill get back to you im sure with more questions once we narrow or selections down . thanks again!!! keep the replies coming . :) Here is a link that might be useful: