A limiting factor may be water - is the normal rainfall distribution through the growing season sufficient to support the plants you want? If not, make sure you plant them within easy reach to water by hose! The most common plants at ground level in a spruce or fir forest are often mosses. Club mosses are particularly attractive (and we used to use one kind to make wreaths at Christmas!) I would not use mulch because that would likely smother the plants that naturally grow there. Removing the small trees would definitely help with opening the look, making access easier, and allowing rainfall to reach the ground more evenly. You might want to leave a few fallen logs to act as 'nurse' logs for plantings, removing any clutter of smaller sticks etc. I'd be inclined to then watch and see what - if anything - grows under there naturally to guide you in determining what will have the best chance of surviving under the trees. The margins (along the driveway etc.) are the easy place to start planting ornamentals such as the Rhodos, hydrangeas etc. I grew up in an area of the east coast of Canada where the forest trees are predominately spruce and fir with hardwoods mixed in. The forest floor had lots of interesting vegetation that would be a shame to bury under mulch. Rhododendron canadense (a short, deciduous shrub) grew wild in open areas of the woods so, in the right conditions of light and moisture, I'd expect that Rhododenrons and Azaleas should do well. Is there a park or garden nearby with the same sort of conditions so you can see what is normal for the local ecology?

Hi there... I actually "have" a mature woods in my backyard but it's in bad shape. It's an old farm woodlot that was clear cut at least twice. The trees are largely maple with some black cherry and American Beech but these guys are right, unless you like a "rough" walk through your woods, the roots are often above ground and somewhat hard to work around. In my case the woods had no understory at all save for a few species of spring ephemerals. Our project has been to build the woods an understory to fill in the huge gap between the floor and the canopy 70ft. above. I consulted the local conservation authority and they told me to give it up b/c "it's almost impossible". "Understory tree species and shrubs need to grow along WITH the canopy". Being the stubborn person I am, I didn't listen to them and have found many varieties to serve my purpose. I think at last count I've introduced about 44 native species. Do some reading, research the net and find species that you like but that also will grow alongside your canopy species and then still thrive once the canopy is better established. One understory shrub that works well in sun as well as shade is the Serviceberry. In sun the Serviceberry turns neon orange in autumn and puts on a fantastic show. In shade it grows just as well but the fall show is a little more subdued. The leaves tend to turn more golden and yellow with little splashes or hints of orange. Serviceberry has a very nice habit and doesn't mind you pruning it to produce an even more compact appearance. Another species that does well in both sun and shade is the Witch Hazel. I have one in full sun on my front lawn and one in full shade in my wooded area. Both are doing equally well and turn the same colour in autumn. Winterberry is a deciduous Holly that you can plant around the base of your trees now. It loses it's leaves in fall but bright red berries will remain through the winter and are a favourite with the birds. Once the canopy trees are established the winterberry will do even better in the shade. Winterberry need male and female plants to set fruit. "Nannyberry", "Arrowood Viburnum" and "Ninebark" will also do fine in both sun and shade situations. The Nannyberry and Arrowood have deep blue/black fruits that will drive the birds wild. American Cranberry" works nicely at the edge of your woodland design and the red/orange berries last well through the winter for the birds and look pretty against the winter snow (if you get snow that is). Check out some of the dogwoods that do ok in sun but thrive in shade. I'm not up on them but I think Grey Dogwood might be one (don't quote me on that though). Some dogwoods like only sun while others like only shade and a few fit in the middle but almost all will do fine as a forest edge species. A really lovely deciduous tree through all seasons is the Sweetgum. It is deciduous but has the same shape as a Christmas tree and leaves that are like a Japanese Maple. They grow quickly and the best part is the fall colour...it's spectacular and is a bit different every autumn. It can turn any colour from burgundy to scarlet red and some autumns it litterally appears on fire with colour. Nurseries often sell them pruned to look like a deciduous tree with a trunk and then the leaves at the top but their natural appearance is like a christmas tree, with branches coming out right from the bottom and forming a cyllindrical shape. Anyway, I think you should just do what makes you happy. Look up what species will work well in sun or shade, make natural looking "thickets" and use "natural succession" as a guide where to put things. The most fun we had with our little wooded area was planning the little pathways that wind through it. That was the very first thing we did when we moved here, was designate the pathways. From there we planned the succession not just from the middle of the wood to the outside but also from the woods, down to the paths. Right at the path edges we placed a lot of the really nice plants that we want to see all the time. Have fun with it! :o) Barb in southern Ontario, CANADA

We did a similar move in December. We did what my grandmother would have called a "spit and shine", a half serious cleaning, and I am satisfied we did the right thing. Our experience would have me suggest putting off the floor refinishing until last. I've no thoughts on power cleaning.

Thanks for all the great replies! I'm still torn, but you've made me feel better if we go ahead and get him. I remember you, too, Quasifish! Hello again! To answer some questions--the 2 litters have been co-mingled. The breeder has a "nursery" (separate room in her house, closed off from the foyer with a screened-type door) where the kittens all stay together after about 4-5 weeks in their separate places w/ their moms. In their last week there, they get let out into the rest of the house to be raised "under foot"--w/ 4 home-schooled kids and a dog. She'll let me bring home a towel that's been in the room with all of them, so some familiar smells will accompany Coco to his new surroundings (that's what we've named him--he's a real "Cocoa puff"). I read the breeder's website from all the ones I looked for that were in my state, and it was at the top of my list, and then I found that it was only 7 miles from the new house. Great testimonials and pics sent in by satisfied customers. Some were repeat customers. And, we visited there before we decided for sure to do this (had never bought an animal before and still feel weird about it). I've visited every other week since early June, starting with when she let me have first pick of each litter. Seeing the Ragdolls on that Cats 101 was what convinced me to do it (and yes, I've seen Matilda story too)! It was between them and a Maine Coon, which hubby wanted because we now know the MOST lovable cat in the world since we moved (who's a Maine coon). He goes limp when you pick him up, so we've enjoyed loving on him whenever we catsit him--at our house no less, so we fight over him! We knew then that after Casey, we needed a cat like this one. From what I'd seen and read about Ragdolls, this seemed our best bet. This breeder makes you sign a contract which says that if for whatever reason you can't take care of the cat anymore and can't find a suitable new home for it, she'll take it back. She seems very responsible. She was an herbalist prior to starting this venture a few years ago, and she's quite holistic with the kitties. Oh, she wants me to take this first one before getting the second one. He's more shy than his cousin, a little female. She thinks he should have a chance to bond with me first instead of just her (if they arrive together). The other one is a little spitfire which we can already tell will rule the house. We're already crazy in love with them and talk about them all the time (and constantly look at the many pictures and videos I have on my iPhone). We're soooo ready for another kitty to love. Tracey