That's quite confusing, snasxs. Invasive plant are almost always the result of human activity and play a major role in loss of species. If we allow or encourage invasive non-native plants to displace natives, how would you suggest saving them?...in plant zoos? I suspect, as mentioned above, that the problem isn't nearly as bad in many places/climates as it is around here, but, around here, large areas are becoming nothing but monocultures of Albizia julibrissin. It's not unusual to see a site of 20 acres or more with no other trees present. This plant seems to be giving kudzu a run for its money.

Hi, Kathy! What a good idea, to have everyone introduce themselves! It was so nice to meet you! Everyone at the garden club party last week commented on the wonderful concrete leaves you gave me! I live in Joplin, in the midst of an acre of woodsy garden, in a stone cottage that was built in the l950s. I am an artist, and I worked at a local garden center for many years. (Still do, part time, in fact.) After that, I owned Isadora's Wonderful Things bead store in Joplin before I retired 4 years ago. My husband, Jim and I have an extensive garden of perennials, trees and shrubs. Hostas are our current passion and we have some 500+ in our woodland garden. You can come and visit at my blog, below. And if you are in Joplin, please feel free to come by for a visit and a tour of the garden. We love to share it! Nice to meet you all! Sandy Here is a link that might be useful: Welcome to Chaos

Christie, Yes, they do. It's about an hour for me but the drive is easy. The thing about Baker Creek is that you'll find things there you definitely won't find elsewhere, especially with heirloom vegetables. But they have garlic, fruit trees, native plants, perennials, annuals, tools, books, soap, food, etc. Lots of fun stuff! Oh... and don't forget the speakers which is the main reason I like to go. Here are the speakers for the Fall Festival. I think you would particularly enjoy Patrick Byers. I've heard him four times on four different topics and it's always fascinating so you learn a lot. Doug Oster is the garden writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a nationally syndicated garden writer, TV guest, producer of the radio program, "The Organic Gardeners" and his new book "Grow Organic" is due out soon. www.theorganicgardeners.com Len Pense has developed a new method of raised bed gardening. It will make gardening easy for anyone, weed-free and organic. His farm and methods have been featured several times in "Rural Missouri" magazine. Check out his site! www.gardeningrevolution.com Wesley Greene is an expert on historical plants and gardening. He is the Garden Historian at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He also writes for "The Heirloom Gardener". www.cwf.org Kelly Norris is a 20 year old Master Gardener, freelance writer, and speaker who lives and gardens in Bedford, Iowa. He is the manager of his family's "Rainbow Iris Farm". Merlyn Neidens Heirloom seed grower and seed-saving expert who has developed some of the superb market varieties that we carry. He also writes articles for "The Heirloom Gardener". Always one of our most popular speakers. Patrick Byers of the SW MO Experiment Station. A highly acclaimed rare fruit specialist who will be speaking about raising rare fruit and berries. The Heirloom Garden Show "The Historic Living Fest" Come to our 7th Annual Spring Fest! August 5 & 6, (Sun. & Mon.) 2007. 10 am-6 pm both days Come to our 8th Annual Summer Show

Don't know if you know that there is a string of lakes on the White river that were built to control flooding on the lower Mississippe river. East of Branson is the upper end of Lake Taneycomo. (White river flows from West to East) Hollister is another nearby community, South of Branson...no lake. Forsyth and Kirbyville are both on Lake Taneycomo. Let me give you a heads up about flooding. Make sure you know about the elevations around the lake where you might want to buy. When the Mississippi is experiencing severe flooding, water is held back as long as possible behind all these dams. If you live at Kimberling City, you will have one dam upstream...if at Forsyth or Branson, there will be two. Beaver dam has had trouble in the past, so I am a bit suspicious of the additional 10 feet added to the Table Rock dam. At best, what it means to those who live near it is that it can bring the water up another 10 feet bringing the flood level to 951 feet elevation. This is the extreme case scenario, but still something the unwary may not find out until after they have moved here. The other problem is getting too close to the "river" (really the upper end of another lake) on the down stream side of a dam. When it can no longer hold the flood waters, they have to release water and people who have forgotten, or didn't know that this can happen loose "things". The old flood easements were set for the original 941 elevation before Table Rock's floodgates were raised 10 feet. Sellers and Real Estate people may not be forthcoming with this info....so buyer beware. Abstracts will show flood easements purchased by Empire Electric back before 1954, but no survey work was done. It will read something like x-number of acres are in flood easement # so and so. The lake was taken over by the Corp. of Engineers before it was ever filled with water, so now we get to deal with Bureaucrats. Also, since there was no survey (and elevation) markers here until about the mid 1980's, you can buy and find that part of your house, patio, stone wall, etc. are over the Government "Take Line", and you will be charged for "use permits" and who knows what in the future. The normal level of Table Rock is 915 to 918 foot elevation...so you can see how much it can rise. I have seen it come to the 941 (top of the old floodgate) level once...it can be scary if you live on the gentle "walk down" that everone wants. Email me if I can be of further assistance. We have lived on the Lake Front for 22 years, but stuck the house on top of a hill. ;O) Here is a link that might be useful: East of Branson