First, other than sometimes disrupting the roots of smaller plants, moles will not kill trees or other plants. They are carnivors and feed on soil insects and organisms and not on the plants themselves. Generally, the only concern regarding moles is if their tunnels run directly under or through the root system of smaller plants like annuals, perennials or young shrubs - sinking or tipping over can occur, either smothering the roots or exposing them to the air and dessication. Although they can be a bother in lawns, I like to think of moles as nature's soil aerators and their presence indicative of good, healthy and biologically active soils.

As to tree selection, a visit to a good local nursery or garden center (Portland Nursery is excellent) should present you with a range of possibilities as well as generally sound advice on how to plant. Fall is perhaps the best planting time in the PNW and many nurseries do offer fall planting sales. Since most trees are harvested in winter and shipped to nurseries in early spring, selection may not be optimum at this time of year, specially with regards to the magnolia, but if you are selecting the maple primarily for fall color, then October is the nearly ideal time.

I second the Portland Nursery recommendation -- very helpful and knowledgeable staff and one of my favorite places to go. I'm beginning to know the staff by name :)

You shouldnÂt have any trouble tracking down a good magnolia  theyÂre fairly common here and I saw them at lots of nurseries last spring. YouÂre right, theyÂre a really delight in the spring. You might want to do a web search to see if there are varieties that you especially like. There are several to pick from.

And speaking of lots to pick from: For more options on the Japanese maple, if you're not against traveling a few more miles, head across the Columbia just north of Vancouver, WA and go to Pollock and Sons. They specialize in Japanese maples and have many, many varieties to choose from. The staff is very friendly and helpful and helped me track down just what I needed and wanted. They're at 7901 NE 179th -- if you take I5, take the exit for 179th/Battle Ground and head east. If I remember correctly, they're less than 5 miles out, and it's very easy to find and get to.

Also, do a search or post a question on the Japanese maple forum and you'll get long lists of people's favorites!

Some Japanese maples don't take full sun well, so if that's what you have, keep that in mind when you're looking for a variety. We planted 'Osakazuki' last spring in a full sun location; the first summer they can get a little leaf burn but ours has done really well. Great fall color, too (see the link). If you have shade or part shade that won't be such a problem but make sure the tree you get will fit your location. "Japanese Maples" by J.D. Vertrees is a good reference, too, if you want to look at it at PowellÂs or somewhere.

Have fun! Lots of choices  enjoy discovering just the right ones!

Here is a link that might be useful:

For the companion piece...

Here is a link that might be useful: Article - Overplanted in Seattle by Arthur Lee Jacobson

For the one I meant to post first...

Here is a link that might be useful: Article - Trees that merit planting in Seattle by Arthur Lee Jacobson

Hi Ellen,
I have been searching for several months now for a magnolia soulangiana with no luck. My search has been contained from Al's Nursery in Woodburn down to Garland's in Corvallis. If you find a source carrying them now, would you post it? After you buy yours, of course. :) Much thanks!

This is very common item. Not being able to find a single one after checking multiple nurseries cannot be readily explained. Gossler Farms, in Springfield, is a magnolia specialist. Maybe they can help you.

Different cultivars have different attributes, some selections are sold merely as saucer magnolia, without a cultivar name. If you want a particular type you will have to do a little research to learn which one(s) have the characteristics you want.

I thought it was odd that I couldn't find one, also. One nurseryman told me maybe it was because the bloom season is over and many are sold while they're in bloom. I haven't seen even one. Other varieties, but not the soulangiana.

Could be a label-reading mistake, where you - and/or a clerk checking for you - looked only for Magnolia x soulangiana, overlooked named cultivars like M. x s. 'Lennei', 'Rustica Rubra', 'San Jose' etc. Some outlets might have them tagged simply by the cultivar name, without "soulangiana" between that and "Magnolia". These superior selections would often be better choices than plants sold simply as the type anyway.

Aha. I'm sure that's it. And where would one go to learn more about the various cultivars?

Thanks everyone- I have heard of the first two Ron_B mentioned: 'Lennei', 'Rustica Rubra' and the flower color sounds just like what I am looking for(darker pink), but was confused as to whether they were more a shrub than a tall tree?

Carol Ann- thanks for the info on Japanese Maples, for some reason I didn't think they minded full sun, which most of my yard is, so I will have to work out where to put it!

Ellen

Ellen, many cultivars of Japanese maples thrive in our rather mild PNW sun, so you will still have many to select from. Just avoid those with variegation, very pale or golden leaves or those with delicate veining (Aka Shigatatsu sawa, Reticulatum or similar) and you should be fine.