Hi ~ I initiated this very long discussion thread 2 years ago & just now checked in as I just read an article from our Iowa DNR I quote a line: *The problem, though, is occasionally male trees undergo a metamorphosis and begin dropping smelly seeds. That's what Robinson suspects happened to an Iowa City tree after decades without problems.* ... Answers my original wonderment & still was once more a slave to this Duchess in my piece of soil last Fall. I still have the bucket of dried seeds to dare & saute & try - considering my allergy to fruit pulp! Currently all the fallen fruits in my thick wall of Baltic Ivy have grown to little Ginkgo trees & am harvesting ~ easy to pull at this stage so far. Last year there was a taker to the 2ft tall I had growing in a pot, hurray!!! I love my once Prince of a handsome tree now Duchess that rules my life in the Fall! FWIW

Great song choices. I played He Stopped Loving Her Today at my son's funeral. It was the first thing he said/sang when he started talking again at age 3. He has always loved George Jones. Leader of the Band is one of my favorite songs of all time. A song that my son loved was by one of his favorite bands Due West...So Long My Friend. He wanted it played at my sister's memorial but they couldn't do it live because they were touring. We played that song at his funeral as well, at the request of the lead singer of the band. It was written by Brad Hull of Due West. So Long My Friend - Brad Hull (B. Hull) Copyright 2006 Even though I don't want to accept it There comes a time when everyone moves on I know you can't stay here forever And still I never thought this day would come So long my friend I'll see you again But until then So long my friend You know that you kept so many waiting For you to make it to the other side They welcome you with arms wide open While I can't find the words to say goodbye These words I wish that I could tell you Are going to take some getting used to. I Wish You Were Here - Chelsea Musick (C. Musick, N. Peaytt, A. Hacket) Copyright 2007 I took your picture off the wall And put it by the bed Helps on those sleepless nights When I could use a friend When I look in the mirror I see your face But it's so hard to be mad When there's no one here to blame And I never thought I'd have to let you go Never thought I'd say goodbye I never thought I'd see The day my daddy cried I guess I better go Just wanted to say hello And I miss you more with every tear Signed, "I wish you were here" I know that you love me I still feel it in my heart Sometimes it's like you're here But we're so far apart I have so many questions I just want to understand If God can take you from us Why can't he bring you back You were the one who helped me through the day The one who wiped my tears away Now what am I supposed to do No one talked to me like you

I agree with Jan. The perfect Christmas tree obsession is only one symptom of how Christmas has been hijacked by the commercial interests. Our holiday of celebrating the birth of a selfless savior has perversely mutated into an orgy of insane greed and shopping. This year there are 5 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 5 weeks of insanity. My neighbor already had her tree and lights put up the day after Thanksgiving. One of my students had to work 8 hours on Thanksgiving day at Old Navy. The magazines tout how to have "the best Christmas EVER" for the umpteenth year in a row. Baking cookies for everyone you know. Santa Claus wasn't good enough--now there's Elf on the Shelf, and even the Mensch on a Bench for Hannukah, so all children can participate in the gimme, gimme culture. Black Friday gave way to Cyber Monday. More and more craft projects taking more and more time. I say get off the treadmill and only do what means something to you and allows you to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. Do something for someone less fortunate. Spend time with your children and parents. Visit the sick. Donate to a worthy cause. And ironically it's better for you than getting a new scarf/pair of boots/iPhone.

Hi Deanna, no size restriction is great. I built a Spirit Garden after my spouse died and knew it had to be mostly evergreens to embrace our spirits. Each to his/her own, but for me, dwarf evergreens, including tsuga (hemlock) as the high point of the design, Japanese maple Emperor, Jap forest grass, Hinoki false cypress, pinus sylvestris, aurea, et al, built to hug the walk-in visitor worked for me. I'm in zone 6, but the Am. Conifer Society, O'Brien Nursery in CT, Broken Arrow Nursery in CT, Carol's Collectibles (nursery) - in Swanville, Maine, outside Belfast - good refs for what you're looking for. What will grow best in the spot and how does she want it to feel year round? Best to all. Jane