I find it hard to even grow grass beneath relatively young ones. I see river birches in many landscape situations planted less than 10 feet away from structures. I'm not recommending that you do this but like like most things in residential landscapes nowadays, it's more for instant gratification and curb appeal. Long term damage and removal many years down the line is overlooked. Knowing that for the cost of two ice cream cones, you could be creating a huge problem for a future homeowner simply because it was an irresistable deal. On the other hand, it will look nice in the garden and if you keep your eye on it and remove it when it starts to get too big then maybe you'll be satisfied. Personally I'd take it back to lowes. Get my $6 back, go get a couple of ice cream cones and then hit the nurseries looking for a more suitable tree to plant for the location that will be there for many future homeowners to enjoy rather than a liability. I look at birches the same way I look at willows. Messy, short lived, problem roots. Keep it a safe distance.

Sadly, we're done with our rainy season, Toni. We get our rain only in the winter and early spring. We are essentially rainless for the rest of the year. So, we'll just have to see how next year's rainy season goes. And no, we're definitely NOT humid here. The only time we get any degree of humidity is during the summer, when we get some monsoon effect pushing up and west from the Gulf of Mexico periodically (no rain, just a little bit of humidity). S. California is more or less one big desert. We have very, very different weather patterns than you get in the midwest. I lived in N. Indiana for 10 years. The weather is very different here. And, the terrible wildfires are almost always started by 1 of 3 things, always in combination with our awful Santa Ana winds that scream down from the mountain passes from the east. That occurs in the Fall. The humidity plummets, the winds will kick up to frightening speeds and then we either have some stupid person out in the mountains, trying to camp and light a fire, or we get power lines blown down. Rarely, we'll get lightening from the monsoons (no rain, sadly, just lightening) that can start a fire. We sit in fear of these every Fall. Patty S.

Rosey, you're so funny. lol. I'll accept your first sentence as a compliment. lol I think more a lot more than two houses would need bulldozing.. Hey, a cow or two sounds perfect! Dairy cows, not the type that's chopped and cooked. Yuck. If we had cows, pigs and chickens they woulnd't end up on our dinner table..lol. If you hear Toni from IL blew up her town, you'll KNOW the who and why Due to Rosey's inspiration. lol. Where did you get the idea midwest houses aren't worth much? Our house might not be, especially since the economy is so messed up, but adjacent towns, south and north of us, are priced in the millions. Do you think a million for a home is inexpensive? If you think it's a bargain, you must have won the Powerball lotto..lol. Most IL cornfields are extinct. It's so sad. I remember as a child, driving little ways out of Chicago. Farms were everywhere. I'm angry at farmers for selling their property, 'fertile land handed down from past generations,' to build more malls! If we drive south, the first cornfield is about 100 miles. If it still exists..we haven't been out that at the minimum of 10-yrs. The only way additional malls will stop being built is if a major disaster ever took place. Hi Wes..duh, I should wear glasses. :) I saw your mounted orchid..bloom is a beauty. However, the flowers look pink/purple. Wes, are you sure you spelled your succulent dish garden correctly? I Googled Dorslenia..no results. Is it possible you mean Dorstenia? Dorstenia is a succulent that could pass for Euphorbia. If you mean Dorstenia, I'm familiar and have a few. They're amazing, love their thick trunks. I admit, I'm not the best orchid gardener. Most of my orchids are plain, old Phaels. They bloom, but as far as other, more difficult orchids, I'm lost. Several years ago I bought baby, baby orchids. I'd have to get the tags for ID's, but they're still small. It's possible, they're not getting enough light, humidity or fertilizer. I also admit, the only time they get fertilized is when I think about it.. So, my bad. :) Ironically, my Phaels did better when they were potted in actual soil..now most are in orchid bark. Your orange flower is a beauty. Purple, is you're still reading this thread, love your white flowered plant!!! What is it? Toni

Leslie, my goodness, you have been having some tough times lately. I will be thinking good thoughts for your Mom and Dad. Glad that you have some good things to look forward to. Enjoy those visits coming up with Camryn and that Oklamoni.