Not sure if you bought your tree or not, however I'll give my two cents on what tree to buy since I also live in the Chicagoland area. I would steer clear of an ornimatal pear tree, although I don't think they're as bad as everyone slams them on this site. Every tree has it's pluses and minuses, but every tree has it's place as well. The ornimental pear trees are probably the most over planted tree in the Chicagoland area, and are very evident since they are in bloom right now. However their wood is on the weaker side and few live to 50 years, so I would choose another type of tree. Like most people suggested, oaks are a great choice since they are native to the area, live for hundreds of years and their acorns do feed wildlife. They do grow on the slower side, and will branch out after 30+ years. Red, Bur, Shumard and Chinquapin will grow well in out alkinine soils. Other options that could work for you include Firefall or Autumn Blaze Maples. They are a hybrid maple that grow fast, don't branch out that much, have decently strong wood, and have a very bright red color in fall, which you don't see reds that much around Chicago. Not sure where you live in Chicago, however Lurveys in Park Ridge and The Growing Place in Naperville have a great selection of all types of trees and they can help you out.

Your tree may have passed the permanent wilting point, due very likely to root damage incurred in transplanting. Watering won't help because the roots are dead or too badly damaged to transport water. If there is a healthy root somewhere, a sector of the tree may hang on and put out a live branch or two, but the tree will probably be a failing one.

find 3 local tree removal businesses... insure they are all insured ... and get at least 3 estimates... and hire someone ... its not really a WWW thing ... all wood must be handles PROPERLY ... which here in MI.. meant chipped .... an d NOT sectioned for firewood ... as to the siting of where your trees are.. and how complicated and expensive it might be... we can not really tell ... e.g near a house.. vs. can be felled and then dissected.. etc ... ken

Most British gardens do not need any more shade than our weather already provides. Basically the concept of a shade tree doesn't come into play at all when planning a garden. Ash is a very common native of our woodlands and is a lovely tree there. We do not have EAB here but recently we have acquired Ash Die Back which is a growing concern. Ash seeds around much like TOH for you and is a pain in the neck. Most British gardens are microscopic compared with US plots and a tree the size of an ash is totally inappropriate. We are talking about 16 houses per acre for new builds. The RHS has a list of trees for small gardens. If Maria wants a native, Field Maple, Rowan, Crab Apple and Wild Cherry are good choices. Here is a link that might be useful: Trees for small gardens This post was edited by floral_uk on Mon, Dec 30, 13 at 5:29