Thanks for the wonderful feedback ... I'm a little worried about the eventual size, although our house is a single story in an older suburban development, so the yards are not too tiny and a little limbing up should take care of any interference with the roof. I plan on placing the tree about 20-25 feet from the footing of our house and surrounding it with some mid and smaller size shrubs like serviceberry, virburnum and barberry (it will be in a full sun location). I wanted to plant some daylillies about 8-10 feet away, but perhaps that is not such a great idea due to issues with the roots? (I wanted to do something similar to the bed at Bellevue Botanical Garden -- I'll post a photo when I figure out how to do that). As far as wind goes, it won't be right next to any taller trees, but several of the homes around us (next door and and across the street) have very large evergreen trees that I hope would provide enough of a wind break. We don't live at the top of a large hill or in a location that is especially prone to strong winds, but then again the tree will be basically on its own with the nearest tall trees being about 75-100 feet away. Perhaps you would advise against this location? I haven't been to the Kubota gardens yet, so I'll have drag the kids out there soon to take a look at the specimins there.

Here are some beautiful mother of pearl backsplashes: [Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Brooklyn Design-Build Firms International Stone Collections [Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Staten Island Design-Build Firms Paul Lopa Designs [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Somers Kitchen & Bath Designers JD Home Design [Contemporary Family Room[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-family-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_720~s_2103) by Minneapolis Architects & Designers Andrea Swan - Swan Architecture

Lee, according to Aus Women's Weekly Garden Guides 'Colour in your garden" : Sapium sebiferum. If you are looking for a small tree because your garden cannot accomodate large trees ... this is a clourful autumn gem. Growing to no more than 10m ... it is also an adaptable tree as it can thrive in a variety of drainage conditions. I think this is where the problem is in stating how big some trees get, if you give them better living conditions, they will grow bigger, another thing, how big is your friend's, father in law's backyard? I know a tree in the neighbourhood that is a mere 4m tall and "I got to know it 19 years ago, :-)". I do not think it gets any aditional water apart from that provided by nature.

Rose - I live near Burswood - probably not close to the Hills enough. I have seen the archway in Melville Nurseries - absolutely gorgeous. Plus the GardenGurus featured this absolutely stunning flowering cherry a month or so ago ... I was thinking maybe I could have a crab apple out the front. We are actually in need of a small deciduous tree. I didn't want to plant a chinese tallow. The position is probably too sunny and windy for a japanese maple - south west exposure + northern aspect. I'm amazed your malus has survived 3 yrs in a bag - you must have been loving it fairly well for it to be still alive. I suspect Lathlain is too flat and I regret to say that I don't think my front yard will be a good home for it. But thank you for your offer. I haven't been to Wondawest. The other place I was going to try was Floraland. Thanks for your responses. Aggie