I did not plant that lilac tree - it was here when I moved in. I don't like the excessive shoots everywhere and would really prefer flowers to the tangled mess. I never would have planted a lilac tree with shoots in a confined flower bed. So I am afraid that the lilac may have to go. :( Why do I want a tree? Well, I want a tree to honour the memory of a loved one (as already mentioned), and I like trees because they just look pretty and add interest. Pretty simple reasons. I do think that they are prettier than a suburban patch of grass with no trees. I also like the idea of the shade that a tree offers. I can take another photo and post later. The house is right up against the deck, and other than two narrow patches of grass on either side of the deck (which are too small for a tree and have electric lines etc. under the ground in those locations), the photo shows the entire space that I have to work with. I am thinking of a snow spring crabapple that is about 25 feet high and 15 feet spread at maturity. The question is where to place it?

Nandina- Thanks. I have plenty of crepe myrtles down my lane that I kind of butchered a while back trying to turn them into single trunk trees. Some are starting to look ok now, but looks like I need to lop the top of the tree off (spindly) to get some more "action" below. It was good intent, but you know what they say about that. Anyway, I'm not exactly in love with crepe myrtles at this point (even though I probably owe all of them some, har har). The idea of the silverbell sounds great to me. I have no idea what it looks like but I'll research it shortly. Even more, I think your idea of planting one in place of the broken down bradford pear and leaving the other BP until it destroys itself, makes a ton of sense. Interesting because I always thought of them as pairs and probably NEVER would have come up with that Idea. Thanks a bunch. As far as the silverbell is concerned, I have a sidewalk in front of my house that is probably somewhere between 10 & 15 feet from the trunk of the tree (I'd measure but it's dark and raining... hurricane approaching). Do you think that would be enough space for the tree? I'm assuming the root are the problem? Thanks again, Eddie

I'm not clear as to how you are saying the tree would be used (in the bed adjacent to the house, etc). Some of the negatives of this tree include: 1. It's a very weedy tree with seedlings popping up everywhere. Louisiana doesn't appear to have a comprehensive list of invasive plants (that I can find) available online, like many other states do. Georgia, for instance, lists Firmiana simplex as a category 4 invasive (possible invasive in need of further study to determine exact status). I wouldn't be surprised to find that this species was considered a low-level invasive in Louisiana. 2. It's a fast-growing, weak-wooded tree and produces lots of litter. Be prepared to do a lot of picking-up under and around this tree. The leaves are very large, and, when they fall, they look like paper or something in your yard. I'm constantly thinking trash has blown under mine when I look at the area from a distance. The large leaves can look interesting on the tree, but they are just an eyesore when they fall. If you are contemplating planting it next to your house, falling branches may also be a consideration. 3. Like many other fast-growing trees, this one is usually fairly short lived. If you are planting for the long-term, that is something worth considering. By the time this one is falling apart, you could be enjoying a really nice specimen of some other species. Some positives include: A. It grows quickly, so provides shade faster than many alternatives. B. It's somewhat unusual and can make a good conversation piece. It's even somewhat tropicalesque. C. It's somewhat adaptable and doesn't require as much babying as some other alternatives. D. Your neighbors probably don't have one (yet, LOL). E. It sure beats a Bradford pear tree (at least in most cases).

define small ... redbud??? i would hesitate on anything called a maple ... roots tend to be very problematic .... ken