Karinl, I find your photos of espalier to be inspiring. They're a testament to show possibilities! The idea that plants should only be used to do what they do "naturally" (in one person's opinion) I think is absurd. The reason that a given plant can appear so different from one instance to the next is that they--naturally--are masters at adaptation. In nature, plants are pruned all the time...by wind, freezing, lightning and even the efforts of some animals. In landscaping, adorning our square houses and yards (neither of which are 'natural'!) we ask plants to perform functions. There's no reason to think that plants, themselves, care...or that they have the capacity of doing so. Science has determined that unlike fish, they have neither nerves, brains or emotions. They are truly the life form that can suffer any "abuse" without pain or emotion...like a rock. While there's nothing to stop a person from thinking otherwise, logic will not support their conclusions. While plants are NOT like people in that they "think" or "care"...they are like us in that they have "personality," "behavior" and "abilities". These qualities have nothing whatsoever to do with their "emotions" or "intellect." They're simply the product of a given genetics and growth. Some think that these abilities are only worthwhile when allowed to develop unhindered by the hand of man. Others think that the it takes the hand of man to guide and develop the abilities into their most useful form. (It is this same argument that is prominently featured as the basis of the TV show "Wife Swap." One wife likes her children, husband and self to be natural and unguided. The other likes everything around her to be rigidly and exactingly organized. I think most of us expect to live a life somewhere in the grey area between these extremes.) When external forces try to re-shape the lives of people, they balk. Plants just go with it. There could be nothing better for people to be shaping into whatever form they conceive of.

Since river birches grow along the banks of rivers, they are not hurt by occasional flooding. I've seen them growing in the wild along rivers that flood every year. Here's a link to a Web site I made with my students that has a list of trees and shrubs that might work for you. Click on both the obligate and facultative links. http://www.muhlenberg.edu/cultural/graver/Collections/WetlandPlants/FacultativeHm.htm Another tree we have growing here in a flood area is bald cypress, but it gets huge. Another tree is Nyssa sylvatica, commonly known as black gum or sour gum.

I like the garden scene at the end of "You've Got Mail." Just amazing. I also like "The Secret Garden" movies, since they make a big deal out of the flowers. And if you like to see 70s interiors, you should check out old "Columbo" episodes. To die for. There was an animated movie that came out around the early 70s, which featured a home with a garden, and there was a lady of the house, and I think there was a letter that featured in the plot. Does anyone have any idea what it might have been? I think there were insect characters too. I wish I could remember better.

On the poison ivy, it's very easy to identify in the growing stage. You can see pictures on Google. All parts of the plant is poisonous as all times, so once you learn to identify the leaves, study the aerial roots and stems and avoid the plant during winter as well. It's very easy to get rid of. Cut any climbing vines and spray the rest with roundup. It will come back so let it get 2-3' ht and spray it again. Repeat this process until it is gone. If one comes in contact with it accidentally, a soapy shower will wash off the toxin. Be careful not to touch the dirty clothes again. I've been exposed and gone 20 or 25 minutes (I think) before washing it off and escaped injury. (It was awhile back so the sooner, the better.)