Kimmsr, -- seasonally flooded bottomland with more woody plants than a marsh and better drainage than a bog. In the natural evolution of things, a lake is big and deep. There is enough depth that the water can stratify according to temperature, and no sunlight reached the bottom. Over time, with erosion and wind it will fill in and become smaller and shallower with more sloping banks. When sunlight can reach the bottom in seasonal low water levels, plants can sprout and grow. As vegetation cycles in a swamp, it sinks. Since the water isn't flowing appreciably, the organisms decay until the O2 is used up. Then the system is anaerobic, complete with methane bubbles. If you removed all the organic matter, a swamp does not become a lake. Perhaps it could be called a shallow pond. But with sunlight reaching the bottom, the land will regrow plants. It's more a matter of depth. A swamp is a swamp not because of dead added organics, but because it's shallow enough to grow plants and trees, and it's wet because it's got too much water flooding too often, and it's anaerobic because the water is not flowing.

Figure it might make a difference now but in ten years the tree will have to tolerate all the clay and water unless I just build a hill. ===>>> right presumption .... wrong conclusion ... the babe .... does NEED THE DIFFERENCE RIGHT NOW .... so you are correct ... but in 10 years ... IT WILL HAVE PUT ITS ROOTS were ever it feels was most proper .... given a good 'establishment' period.. MOST trees will cope with the given situation ... in clay ... drainage is the issue ... as roots need air as much as water ... and by elevating them above the grade.. you give a small plant.. a small area .. to get established.. and once it does... it will cope in the long run ... i will leave it to others to define specifically whether beech is problematic.. i am speaking more of planting protocol rather than the specific tree ... did you mention an oncoming first child .... if so ... GOOD LUCK!!!! ken

I have not been on much this year...have had a summer full of family visits and a long vacation in Europe while DH was working, but came home refreshed and ready to put my heart back into my business next year. This year I had too much Neon Dianthus. I sell to a very small group of people and after about 3 weeks of a flower no one wants it again, thay want something different. So once again my problem is not to plant too much of any one thing, but to keep different varieties coming on. Spring bulb flowers start us off about the first of March, but this year most of my beautiful tulips were virused. They were beautiful Colorblends tulips so I think the virus falls out of the madrona trees that form the border between the street and my garden. I think it is just a plain garden variety of Botrytis, rather then the Dreaded "Tulip fire", and so I am cutting way back on tulips and mostly growing the viridifloras that seem more resistant. THe few others I plant will be in crates(Prefereably early tulips to force) or in sunny spots completely away from any trees! Clarkia and neon dianthus were big space wasters this year. I think about a dozen plants of white clarkia to use for fillers....another dozen neons, and more white lacy things would be a better use of space. I also have poor luck with the annual chrsanthmums "Merry maids" but could probably sell all I grow. I grow a lot of dahlias and they are my mainstay in the autumn but I need more fillers to use in their bouquets. Favorites I never get tired of are Delphinium Blue Bouquet, the cloud larkspurs, and snapdragons. I grew 3 kinds of snaps this year and will do the same with possibly a 4th kind next year. The Madame Butterflies open the season for me and give me buckets and buckets of lovely azalea type blooms in wonderful color combinations. THis year I tried "Snappy Tongues", not sure where I got them, but they have a white trumpet with bright colored crown,,,very striking! THen the wonderful Costa II'S, that have lasted, rust free, until frost. We had a cooler and greyer summer then usual here so the zinnias did not do well...but even what we had were very useful. I will move them to the sunniest spot available next year and plant lots! I need more summery foliage and fillers like dill, fennel, etc. And much as I Love Cosmos they do not sell well here at all. OH yes, I use lots of lilies, roses, and other bulb flowers and plan to plant atleast 500 butterfly glads next year. And I will be opening a stand at my home, and trying to switch my customer base to buying direct, and enticing in "Cut your own bouquet" customers. Also more advertising about subscription service (I deliver) and about doing weddings and parties.

I have been on this forum for 15 years. I have been through four kitchen remodels/builds and through six houses since. I think so many things make me think of GW. I can be talking to my husband about something and I will say "my friend from GW said blah blah blah.... " I he probably thinks I am crazy! I use so many expressions I have learned here and no one knows what the heck I am talking about. Seeing that book gave me a great chuckle! I miss Pal! Oh and I love the frogs!!!