I've ordered from them and the quality ranged from average to below average. They are cheap and do offer a 1-year replacement guarantee if you mail back your dead plants. However, they don't let you choose rootstocks and they don't have nearly the variety of other choices (local nurseries don't offer these advantages, either). Fruit trees are too much work to go cheap on. If you want to maximize price to quality, spend a few bucks more and buy from Burnt Ridge Nursery (west coast). Spend a couple bucks more beyond that and you get a ton of choices (both varieties and rootstocks) from another very reputable nursery, Adams County (east coast). There are also other good choices out there (search the fruit and orchard forum).

Oh, ah, I dont think there will be any problems with allergies, because the flowers do not have airborne pollen. Most showy flowering trees that attract insects do not cause allergies to tell the truth because the pollen is heavy and not transported by wind. The nonshowy trees such oaks and ash are the tree pollen culprits, usually. There is a extensive topic already with many of our forum inhabitant's diverse and colorful opinions on this tree. Opinion is all over the map, we discuss this topic in [too] much detail here,(http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/trees/msg0513042729678.html?73) [link below] Beautiful in flower, but unpopular here. You can read the topic and decide for yourself if it is right for you. Here is a link that might be useful: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/trees/msg0513042729678.html?73

Actually I do know. I wrote an essay about these trees and I got to see one. It was very large and about 12 feet from the foundation but still it's roots protruded through it. So no it isn't a good choice unless it is out in the middle of the yard because it can destroy.

Don't plant a Magnolia if you're worried about mess. Someone planted one 50 years ago next to our pool. It is absolutely beautiful and give great shade to the south side of the house, BUT it is very, very messy. The large leaves drop all year, heaviest in the spring, and they take years to decompose. In the summer the beautiful flowers drop bud sheaths and then petals. Later in fall, heavy cones drop and bring tons of squirrels who pull them apart after the seeds and leave a mess everywhere. Plus the cones are kinda spiky, painful if you accidentally step on one, plus a tripping hazard. So yes, a beautiful majestic tree...for the outer edges of a property, not near a patio. You have been warned, lol. The Africarpus gracilior is a pretty good choice, they do get huge with age, but are fast and pretty clean, and handle heat and soil compaction well. Josue Diaz's suggestion of Brachychiton populneus is a good choice too, lovely tree, too tender for where I am, but should do great for you. Stan's suggestion of a Tristaniopsis laurina is a good one too, but pretty slow growing. If you want shade soon, I'd get the largest one you can find. It will be expensive, but save you several years waiting. I love Ficus microcarpa (Indian Laurel)! Beautiful tree, gorgeous white smooth trunk! I just got back from visiting my daughter in San Luis Obispo and the downtown streets are lined with them and they're very majestic. Do be aware that they can get very large buttress roots with age, but if you give them lots of root room near the patio, but not right next to or in the patio, they should be fine.