blakrab: Thanks for the tip on the Japanese Raisin Tree. That does look intriguing! From checking on a couple of websites, it appears to be drought tolerant and somewhat tolerant of alkalinity although it looks like it may stay a little smaller than I'd prefer. I lived in Japan for a number of years and didn't notice this one. I'll check into it further. gardener365: Thanks for the tips on the Montezuma Cypress and the Shantung Maple. I had been considering the Shantung "Fire Dragon" but wasn't sure if it might stay pretty small. If anyone has gotten some good growth out of these down here in the Austin/San Antonio area, I'd love to hear their successes. Aesthetically, I am not as crazy about the cypress as a tree for the yard, although I like them near water. scotjute: Yes, I am sure you are right that the soil conditions I have will limit the ultimate height of any tree that I plant. I hope to compensate as much as I can early on by top-dressing with compost the first few years. However the reality of a tree trying to grow into that limestone base underneath will kick in. That is a great idea about getting a native Pecan. I wonder if nurseries carry them? I haven't done a lot of searching yet, but they do all seem to be focused on carrying grafted varieties that are good at producing nice nuts. In my case, I really just like the look of a Pecan tree and don't really care what it produces just that it grow vigorously. Do you have any ideas where I can find a decent sized native Pecan down here? Burr Oaks sure do sound like nice trees but I am wanting to steer away from another Oak as I already have a Red Oak and several Live Oaks. It's too bad about those Bigtooth Maples being so finicky, I guess I don't really want to roll the dice and have one not do well. I am not as keen on the cedars although if I was going to get one, I suppose a nice stately Deodar would look good. There is a large grove of 15-20' tall Blue Atlas Cedars planted at the Bass Pro shop on I-10 just NW of San Antonio that look less than totally happy. I am guessing it is just too hot here in the summer for them to do well. Too bad though, since I love to plant one of them! dricha: I have seen Chinkapin Oaks and do like them too, I had not heard of Sierra Red Oak. Does it look or have growth habits that are greatly different than the standard Red Oak? Thanks for the heads up on Fanicks, they seem to be highly regarded. I'll head out there and have a look. lou_midlothian_tx : Thanks for the info on the cypress, they do seem to grow pretty rapidly. I've read some of your posts on growing Shantung and Bigtooth Maples. Your soil at your previous local looked pretty tough from your photos too. What are your thoughts on the ultimate size on the Shantung? I know your posts indicated that your trees were doing well, what sort of growth rates did you get? Mexican Sycamore and a native Pecan still look like pretty good bets for me based on what I am hearing and my preferences. You all please let me know if you have any other suggestions. Thanks!

johnstaci, ten years ago before I knew Emerald Ash Borers were on the way I would be up and jumping about White or Green Ash. Now......I dunno, I'm leaving the couple volunteers growing in my tree line but I'm not planting any extra with the potential/probably problem coming along. If you're just planting in a field I might put one out there. I would never plant Silver Maple close to a house or where I needed it to live for a long time either. I could see using it where quick shade is needed or perhaps as part of a two tiered "instant gratification / long term keepers" plan but make sure you put enough money in the account so 30 years from now you can afford removal. Oh and I like Tulip trees.

Apprently some folks are very emotionally involved in this issue. I simply have not seen any evidence that tree species are suffering from GW. I do in fact read alot of forestry journals (I am a faculty member in a foretry department at a large research university). That isn't to say that papers haven't been published that claim this to be true. Rather, the data they present doesn't actually support their hypotheses. I challenge the "doomsdayers" to show me a study that proves that tree species are suffering from human-caused GW. If you do this, I will retract my statements. As for your childish rant on my typo, I am pretty certain you knew what I meant by "impirical evidence". In any case, provide a citation for some "pirmicale, I mean empirical evidence" then. Its amazing how much hatred there is for anyone that disagrees with those who claim to "know the facts" and are enlightened on the subject of climate change. It becomes pretty obvious to any actual academic researcher that these folks are thinking with their emotions when they won't even answer the basic questions being asked and begin to make petty comments about the intelligence and/or social status of those challenging them.

Not going to affect the wall, not the full sized full vigor typical plant (or similar cultivars, like those sold as 'Nana') most used for hedging here. Will eventually grow above head height, after many years, if living there long enough. Same situation as other slow-growing shrubs that may last a long time, after so many years of so many inches per year of growth you end up with a fairly big bush. The main problem I see with 'Otto Luyken' here is that this one seems particularly susceptible to Prunus Shot Hole, with the result that local plantings rather often look as though vandals had been firing shotguns through the bushes. Other than that a handsome perky evergreen shrub. Some fruits are sometimes formed but I do not very often see spontaneous seedlings resembling that particular type. Of course, it may give off some seedlings of normal (more typical for the species) appearance - I don't know.