Ken, of course the stakes only stay till needed. I pulled almost all my crabapple stakes this year, but had one nearly blow over, so I re-staked that one. I was already staking stuff, but I've started to spend more on quality stakes per your suggestion. Its worth it. I've been using my laundry line and either nylon straps or soft (cheap) rubber hose. The cheaper the hose, the softer the rubber, it seems. Whats the best way to learn the latin? I've been throwing some of it around at the nurseries ... and I think they "MIGHT" actually be fooled ... now how to pronouce the latin?!

Hi Sofia, Baby Blue Eyes is a nice tree but will still grow wider than 6 or 7 feet. I have one already at about 4 feet and it is around 7 feet tall. Baker's Blue Spruce becomes a very large specimen tree. Consider Iseli Fastigate Columnar Blue Spruce, much better for smaller spaces and still a very nice blue. Use this link for some info on plants and sizes etc. The prices you have seen are ridiculous for that size. Not to toot the horn too much but I charge 160.00 for 5 ft B.B.Eyes. Anything under 200.00 Cdn is the rate you should be paying. Darren Here is a link that might be useful: Whistling Gardens

i would look to the trees you see in the near area ... ID them.. and get your answer ... which they can be here.. in this forum if you can get close enough to get a pic of the tree and needles ... i am NOT talking about garden plants .... you might also contact your Ag or extension office and ask if its a real concern in your COUNTY ... and you might also contact richs foxwillow.. on the north side of Chi.. and see what their thoughts are ... i am wondering if this is.. much ado about nothing ... ken http://www.richsfoxwillowpines.com/

I would approach the question of which tree to plant as "which conifer can handle a reasonable amount of shade (but that a good number of hours of direct sun wont hurt), that also looks like an Xmas tree". Upon first look that does not appear like an ideal situation (it obviously isn't, that fence height is a good % of the final height you want your tree to be), but as mentioned earlier it appears to get full sun in the later afternoon which have the strongest rays. Having said that, I think it is more than workable to get something that you will be happy with. My experience has shown that norway spruce are a reasonable amount easier to grow that colorado blue spruce(handle shade better, etc). Now you are faced with the dilemna that 50% of the questions on here revolve around (I needed a (row of) tree(s) yesterday that is 20' tall, 9' wide already and wont grow anymore). If you are willing to wait 20+ years then go buy a small reasonably priced smaller (slower growing) conifer, be patient and wait (eventually it may/will grow bigger than you want, perhaps much bigger than you want) Or (if there is even a nursery around you that sells older (and larger) slower growing conifers, you could shell out big big big big bucks and get something bigger so you dont have to wait as long. What Im learning about this hobby is that it is a lot about being patient(or having deeeeep pockets, but even then still being very patient). Im not the best person to recommend specific trees, not much experience. Ive got a lot of basic conifers- norway, colorado, black hills, serbian, canadian hemlocks, etc but not so many fancier/slower growing ones (and Ive only been into conifers/trees for 3 years) Canadian Hemlocks like shade but growing them can be finicky in Ohio(and they may not have the Xmas tree look you are looking for). Actually that is way too much sun for a Canadian hemlock(at least in Ohio, up North not as much, but I would say still too much sun, even where you live). Im thinking some type of slower growing Norway spruce, but like I said, not an expert. Im sure others will offer specific suggestions. The Norway spruce is the most bullettproof conifer I have met. Ive got a bunch planted in shady areas. They dont fill out as much when in shade but they still look great to me and plenty "Christmas-tree like".