About a foot tall. I had to put a bamboo stake near it so I wouldn't mow it over. Few of my trees are bigger than that when planted. I planted a 3-leaved American Beech I dug from my sister's woods. My brother mowed it over. It is now over my head (7-8ft). That was 18 years ago, but they truly grow slow. On the other hand, I planted an 8 inch Magnolia grandiflora stick, not brown back leaf, that is about 22 ft. tall. That was also about 20 yrs. ago. For height measurement, I use a straight bamboo stick. You cut it the length of the distance from the web between the thumb and forefinger to your eye, when your arm is extended 90 degrees from your body. To measure the tree, hold the stick with your arm completely extended, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to your body. Walk towards the tree in question (keep your arm 90 degrees from your body). When the stick is exactly as tall as the tree in your eye, the tree is as tall as you are from the trunk. Hint: hold the stick nearer the bottom so that you won't be lifting your arm as you walk towards the tree.

Sigh. Here we go again. Kimmsr, put your listening ears on! Those insects that require a particular species of plant in order to complete their life cycle will seek out that plant and use it for its purpose no matter what. It does not matter if that plant is in perfect condition and is thriving in the best of soils. The columbine sawfly is just one example. This is one aspect of IPM that you seem to have little understanding of, Kimmsr. There are many species specific pests out there. We can eliminate those plants from our gardens, or we can take it upon ourselves to learn the life cycle of the pests so that we can mitigate the damage. No one has said that a 'good healthy soil that grows strong, healthy plants will not deter insect pests and diseases'. (I know that you're trying to insult me, but you'll have to do better than that, lol.) But you shouldn't turn your back on the facts. There ARE very susceptible plants out there just as there ARE plant pests that will seek and find their particular host plant. It's very important to provide a vital and healthy soil system. The benefits are huge. And many insect and disease pests are able to take advantage of plants that are weak, under or over nourished, or simply languishing. But it's important, too, that we understand the behaviors and life cycles of some pests. By doing so, we can avoid those plants entirely, should we wish to do so. But for those particular insects, seeking out the appropriate plant species is instinctual...just as much as a mosquito seeks a blood meal.

These stops are also called service stops. These are small shutoffs affixed to the hot and cold inlets of the valve so that you can shut off the water at the valve to perform service. A valve that is "less stops" has no shutoffs; therefore the water must be shut off for the entire house before performing any service. This is mainly a convenience issue (unless you live in a multi-unit building)--but you should check your local building codes.

That is so true, a time comes when "we can remember our Loved Ones with a Smile". Before my Dad passed, I was forced to let go of Him a little at a time. Not because of Him but because of His circumstances in his home. He had been dealing with a difficult sibling for years with mental/drug issues. My mom was becoming senile. What a horrible situation he had and the entire family was alienated from it. Throughout all this and the last years my Dear, Patient, Loyal, Good Hearted Daddy was growing older and weakening. He deserved so much better His Last Days here on earth. I cry to think of His suffering. Such a Good Man and Wonderful Father. Because of the situation he was in it was difficult for me to have the kind of relationship with Him that he needed and deserved. I could only Honor him throughout his miserable last days of existence. I would keep my mind on the good memories I had before my Dad got too old to control the situation. What a strong minded and loyal soul he was to the end. My loss is greater then just the death of my Dad. It is also the loss of what his life could have been like had he not had those circumstances. They say that sometimes there are two deaths. Sometimes people give up their hopes and dreams and bitterness sets in. It is as if their Spirit dies. That never happened to my Dad. He was taken from the Horror in which he lived before it could happen. I miss my Dad and will Love him til we meet again...