J0nd03- that ft.mcnair is a beautiful tree. Ill have to see what the specs are on it as far as tolerances/preferences. Tornado- no offense taken at all, I'm quite long winded myself (I am a car salesman!) and I love taking politics but unfortunately from what I have learned (perhaps its the area we live in?) most discussions about politics/govt matters turn into a pissing contest/yelling match because when someone has a differeing view than I yet cannot support their claims/reasons for their beliefs they get defensive and resort to un civilized behavior. I think it's hilarious but sure you have experenced it as well! ;) I really appreciate the info your giving me. From what I have read/picked up from folks (a good friend of mine is a horticulture major/landscape business owner) these beech trees will maintain their vibrant foliage as long as they are kept hydrated. I'm site the tree in your pics gets pruned/pest control done professionally and regularly but I'm not sure about the watering part too much?

'A spreading weed' is an odd way to describe Fennel. Perhaps Logan/Caldwell means Dog Fennel, Eupatorium capillifolium. But the OP's plant isn't that either.

Hello Floral and Bengz! It is true I did not say and it was late here so I had limited time but I have come back. This is in North Texas where it is true sycamores grow and this is actually close to a floodplain where the river is located exactly miles away. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4-Crowley-Dr-Carrollton-TX-75006/124266688_zpid/ (for reference) Searching sycamore images, it is highly probably this is the tree species and from what I can compare the foliage visual. If it helps, I also compiled another image set: https://postimg.cc/gallery/gh3TRd4/c84094c0 As you can also see from the Google Maps timeline, it is a deciduous species which moves closer to the possibility it is one since we have one wildly growing in our backyard at home as well

Hi Meghan, thanks for posting extra pics - helps ’see’ what you’re describing. What I wrote about planning - guess how I learned to take a longer range view of garden planning? Yep - personal experience gained from doing things in wrong order & discovered after the fact! I get filling the entire space with turf while figuring things out because this space is your front yard on full public view! This buys you time. I’m guessing your neighbors on both sides of street are thrilled the overgrown GG’s are gone. 😊 Your neighborhood appears very well maintained. Don’t know how long you’ve lived here or how well you know your neighborhood but have you walked / driven surrounding blocks to look for examples of plantings done close to sidewalk? My thought is that yes, it would fit in & not be out of place - those GG might have been out of place though. Plantings would need to be chosen according to mature size to figure out how close to sidewalk to go because you don’t want to be stuck pruning limbs off the sidewalk - either higher branches that are head height or lower ones taking up sidewalk space. I’m looking at the house with nice yard directly across from yours with black SUV parked on street. They have a very nice, deep & layered planting bed on left side of house - facing it - & they have 2 ’trees’ which look like shrubs limbed up & trained to multi trunked tree shape. They might be too close to their house but I’d find out what they are & research size - either might be a good candidate to plant in the grass between brick walkway & drive. Just make sure your walkway isn’t blocked by branches. If you plant in that spot you might want to remove that entire area of grass & make a great multilayed bed of shrubs & flowers there around base of the small tree/ shrub in center. That should create the dining room privacy you want but not block your windows. Another thought is while doing that, widen your walkway so it’s the full width of stairs between the railings. You might find matching brick to add but if not, add a contrast brick color to emphasize both edges. I’d spray weed killer on the grass in between the bricks to sharpen the walkway up. On the left side of your house - facing it - think about another very small tree - mature size should not cover any part of neighbor’s drive. Be mindful of what @gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9) tells you about the size of blood good maple!