The last house that I lived in had a lovely little fruit tree orchard in the backyard when I moved in, planted by the previous owner of the house about 15 years earlier. All of the trees were pretty good for climbing but one in particular was a beautiful Yellow Delicious Apple tree that was about 15 feet high. It had thick lateral branches that spread out nearly horizontally in a beautiful, balanced way. PERFECT for climbing, especially younger children, and several children who visited enjoyed climbing it. Then, a few years later, a freak storm came through and blew over the largest tree in the yard - a 50-year old Silver Maple that was at least 75 feet tall growing near the edge of a swamp. When it landed the crown of the tree SMASHED the fruit orchard to smithereens, including the Yellow Delicious apple tree that was the most perfect climbing tree I could imagine for children. :( Fortunately, a nice apple tree and a large Black cherry were far enough away to be spared, and they were pretty good climbing trees too. :)

Karen, I am having to add planting medium to some so that is why I said it may be Monday before I mail out. I want to make sure they are happy before going BACK in a box for a trip home. I am trying to make the extra effort to make this a good swap for all of us. Please everyone remember, some of these plants MAY loose their leaves BUT with love and attention I am sure they will thrive in the long run. I would like to suggest if you live where it is HOT to cover them during the hottest part of the day for a few weeks to help them out, any thing you can do to help bring them along will ensure their chances, remember you can't just stick them in the ground and say LIVE these need to be cared for for a little bit! I know now if I do this again that I need to put them in a starting medium as soon as they arrive and to help me do this I may have everyone mail to me in stages so I can keep up with the plants as they come in. Also, remember I did say no TINY plants and they must be a nice size, well a few very small ones did come in with hardly any roots, these I will be keeping because those are NOT looking happy. I am trying to be fair about these and give some credit BUT this is not fair to those who sent in the required sizes. Someone and I will NOT say who even measured their plants to make sure they were the correct size. Not complaining I am just pointing this out for those who may have requested the plants in question this is the reason I didn't send them to you, because they are way small and one has already lost all the foliage and I am hoping it will come back from the roots, the good thing is that IF it does and you all join the swap again these questionable plants may be ready to share then :). I do hope you all will be happy with your boxes, I am doing the best I can to send things I am SURE you really want. Again I want to stress the some things will lose their leaves but should have no problem coming back from the roots. The phlox 1 offerd is one of them my mama assure me you can not kill it that if the root is there it will make it. I am sending a fair amount to those of you who wanted some so it should be alright. Ok, well break is over I need to get back to packing and sorting the boxes. :) Fran

Answer https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-Bell-SPLED2Z-Spike-Light/dp/B00FN6PCPE/ref=asc_df_B00FN6PCPE/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198082911489&hvpos=1o16&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18375686974074019368&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004191&hvtargid=pla-318351581926&psc=1 John

Thank you, everyone, for your comments! I'm new at Houzz and never thought I would get so much feedback. I'd been busy so I haven't got the chance to update the thread. Perhaps, I have read all your recommendations. My ball is still in construction but is on the go. I loved the kissing ball idea and the acorns and pine corns (I haven't had the chance to get them, tho) Here's an update, I'll be waiting for your feedback! Also, I'm currently having trouble with the lighting I only have plug ones, and the outlet is too far away so the cable has to go all the way down to the wall, and looks horrible. What do you think?