Love the tree man. His cotton "tree" looks like a regular cotton plant to me. Have you heard the phrase "in tall cotton?" Maybe that's just a southern phrase. ;) How tall is it?

I would agree that Treeguy has good suggestions. I also, despite the fact that you like and HAVE the Lacebark Elm, would agree with him on not planting it. If it isn't already invasive in your area, maybe you shouldn't give it a chance to become so. If you REALLY like it, you can keep it in the pot, like a large bonsai, and pick off all the seeds. However, since you will continue to need to drive through the area to get to the back, I would try for a tree that can be limbed up to allow you to drive under it, rather than plant a tree whose branches will be in the way. Not that there may not be a couple of years, while whatever tree is in its youth, when branches will be in the way, but a permanent "in the way" is NOT a good idea. I would go with the Tupelo from the list, or try for a Tulip Tree (maybe too tall?) - both of them will grow tall enough to look good after limbing up. The Redbud and the Dogwood will stay too small for driving under, especially with a pick-up truck, IMO, and the SBM will also not lend itself to driving by or under. I think you need a tree that will grow to 25-40', fairly quickly, and maybe more. Just plan for the eventual width as well. If you aren't needing to drive to the back frequently, then maybe another of the larger trees might do - most of the maples' roots tend to be surface, but oaks' are usually deeper, as are (to my knowledge) a thornless honeylocust, or a catalpa - although there you would possibly have to put up with the caterpillars. A single-trunk birch is another thought, although the roots might be a problem. Ironwwood, Katsura or Linden are also thoughts. A good mulch layer - no more than 4" - and possibly laying down sheets of plywood or OSB to spread the truck weight out might help also with soil compaction over the roots. And if it is only once or twice a year, then I wouldn't worry too much abut it.

Wooo!!! Cat, I am stuck at home because of the snow storm so wandered around here not looking at anything in particular and came upon your thread. I totally agree with you on the shower curtain choice. Regardless of whether I have the money to spare or not, keeping those suckers clean is a nuisance over time. We have a glass shower door that was installed back in 2003 and I can't tell you how much I hate cleaning it. Not that the door is all that dirty, but a shower curtain is way easier, and you can change the look/style whenever you feel like it. Can't do that with a pricey shower door. Anyway, everything looks lovely as usual, including the "prom" dress :-) Love, love those circular tiles, and the floor tiles that look like fabric. Gorgeous. What colour is that again? It looks greyish on my monitor.

marti8: this is the coho plan with no upstairs. 2 bd 1 bath with a vaulted ceiling in the "great" room, open to the kitchen which I loved. There was also a laundry/utility room. Here are a few more pics: dining alcove view into living area from kitchen: kitchen, dining alcove off to the left: decorated porch shelf: side yard pergolas: Ignore the mess it was my staging area for a while! glasshouse built in the back yard: