thanks joe. can u also give me some advice on native plants that would grow well in this plant community? we'd like to add some more natives to the landscape. we've slowly been removing the ivy that previously covered the area, so we'd like to replace with some sort of tall grasses or groundcover that grows well in shade. for reference the existing plants in our community are coast live oaks, coffeeberry, willows, poison oak, blackberry, etc. thanks i appreciate your help! -a

jbraun, We are closer to the desert. We live in the hills surrounding a valley where there are a lot of ranches, dairy farms, and citrus orchards. There are vineyards also. We have only lived here for 8 months, but when we first bought the house last January, we experienced some beautiful softly falling snow. It didn't stick. Not cold enough for that. Summers range in the high 90's to low 100's. Can I wait 25 years for another tree to reach the same size? Doubtful! LOL! Plan is to pay the money and get a big tree. I just fear that the poisonous roots left once we grind the stump of the Silky Oak might inhibit or kill it. Since I've lived in So CA my whole life, I'm aware of the beautiful (and messy) Jacaranda! There are two on this 1.5 acre property, and I love that they are planted in the view, but not where their mess will disturb decks or patios. Acer Freemanii Autumn Blaze is one I will investigate. I did my research and neither the roots of the Maple family or the Ginkgo Biloba are invasive. I am considering either one of those, but I fear that horrible Silky Oak (Aussie Tree) will disturb their growth. I need to know if the Maple family flowers and drops messy seed pods. I know I would need a MALE Ginkgo. Thanks! Suzi

Wow! Your oaks and hickories look great folks. When you say a couple years old Pignut...is that exactly 2? I have some Shagbark seedlings going on 3 years and they are about 4 inches tall. I hope this year is the first they really start rocketing up. The first year the rabbits got their teeth on them, but I learned my lesson! Our mockernuts are all growing great. One is pushing about 5 feet in 3 years. These should all be opening in the next week. Hopefully just after the cold snap tonight!

Ditto what floral_uk and gardengal said, not a good idea. looks like 2 trees that have grown together. Holes suggest tree is in very early stages of decline but it might live another 20 years. you could plant vine by side in the ground, keeping in mind you might lose tree soon or many, many years from now. Just don't use hole for planting hole b/c it will surely accelerate decline