There is a very old book called A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening by A. J. Downing. He was something of a neighbor of mine, so grew up with the old Dutch influences. Apparently 'a plethora of minutiae' was a recognized design style even then. There are drawings of 'designs' consisting of a multitude of small, intricately shaped beds. That is what this is reminding me of. The beds are really too small for anything but regular, Victorian bedding plants. Back then, these were status symbols because they meant the garden owner had access to a greenhouse. Now, they can still mean the garden owner has access to a greenhouse, but means a lot less now. My first thoughts when shown the picture were the same as Flora's. The corner beds should be made deeper to accommodate a larger range of plants. If the idea is to get a lot more garden area in a symmetrical design, then maybe a mirror image of those beds across a diagonal line.

see link on general tree primer ... moving trees in dormancy.. or leafless is usually the best.. no loss of energy to try to hold the leaves on the tree ... and once leafless.. its done storing all the energy for next spring ... but.. where are you ... that might make a difference as to when to move it ... it will look brilliant.. smack dab in the middle of the lawn ... make sure there arent any utilities where he digs ... props to him for being willing to placate you ... yeah.. you should have started your own post .... with a searchable title ... but no need now ... ken check out TIMING >>> WATERING <<<< ETC ... https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

Hi fledgeling! Thank you for the additional information. IÂm having second thoughts about CS performing as a shade tree after taking a hike in the Morton Arboretum in NE IL. I found a few of the plantings of CS there and the most mature tree I saw still looks like a straggly bush, NOT any kind of shade tree. If I interpreted the tag information correctly (565  39 *1 SD), that specimen was planted as a seed 68 years ago! I hope to go back again this summer and find the other specimens. If it turns out that CS does not look promising as a small shade tree, I will move it to a border area in my shade garden where it can be a lovely bush, perhaps eventually transitioning to a recognizable "tree" or not as it prefers. While at the arboretum, I was enchanted by the American Hornbeam plantings that I found in the same area as one of the CS trees. The group planting of AH was elegantly graceful  the branches had been allowed to develop in a semi-weeping habit, nearly to the ground. I guess IÂm still looking:/ Regards, PoseyPlanter

all of my free range redbud .. especially when young.. put out reddish leaves in late summer ... which turn green as they mature .... i am wondering if the white variegated ones do the same ... are we sure of your friends ability to ID a tree???? most zoos are near botanical gardens... i would not be surprised.. that if you track down the grounds supervisor.. they dont have a master plan.. and could provide the name ... try contacting them directly ... and let us know ... ken