If you see them around late Sept or Oct let me know. Otherwise I can try Schumachers. I just thought if someone had a tree close to them I could get 5 or 6 acorns. I only want 2 trees for my yard and out of 6 acorns that sink in a bucket and seem viable I can get 2 trees. If I order them I'll feel like I need to plant them all! I could give them away I guess.

Sorry to hear about your problem. Torn, jagged wounds need to be cleaned and smoothed up. Other than that I usually let most tree wounds heal on their own. I have painted larger wounds once they have dried out, but this I have done very rarely. I have never used tree wound dressing but I am sure it is better than using paint. There is major disagreement out there regarding using paint or tree wound dressing versus letting things heal naturally. Everyone agrees that jagged wounds need to be cleaned up. http://essmextension.tamu.edu/treecarekit/index.php/after-the-storm/tree-damage-and-hazard-assessment/tree-wounds/ Are you one hundred percent certain it is a "burn mark", not soot or oil? If so, how does such a burn mark occur? Only thing I can think of is some kind of engine exhaust pipe jetting out hot gases. Could it possibly just be diesel soot from an engine that was started up near the tree or burned oil coming out of the exhaust of a bad engine? Hot exhaust is bad news, the other things might not make an issue long-term. If it is a true burn then let time pass in order to see the natural progression of things. If that area is dead or damage then the bark will eventually fall off and the issue can be addressed at that time if need be. So who do you likely suspect? Try to think things through and maybe one contractor can be eliminated in your mind. The gash could have been from a skid steer or even from a boom arm while maneuvering. Maybe from some kind of vehicle outrigger stabilizer but doubtful at that height. The "burn mark" was discussed previously. So who would have had a vehicle in that location in order to do their work? Could that same vehicle also have done the damage higher up on the tree (I strongly suspect so). Answer these questions and you most likely have the guilty party. I would contact both services and have reps come out so you can give whoever did it a chance to come clean and cover the cost of having a professional come to properly inspect and possibly address the tree wounds. If neither admits to doing the damage then tell them that you will have no choice but to put the reputations of both businesses in a negative light and you will be forced to never recommend either one to anybody, ever, and you will take any other actions you deem a necessary and correct response. Unintentional accidents do happen, but I for one have become completely intolerant of ignorance, carelessness, and stupidity being covered under the term "accident". The situation shows that at least one of the contractors is obviously disreputable and did not have the courage or guts to admit to you that these incidents occurred and take ownership of the problem. That is a slap in YOUR face and shows that one of the contractors has ZERO respect for you. That is the most offensive part of the whole situation. This is a big deal, not to be taken lightly. Plant an oak sapling and watch how long it takes to reach the size of that damaged tree. If it is a mature oak, you won't live long enough to see it happen. Trees are a very valuable part of property. You have a right to be upset and you have a right to challenge both contractors. See how reputable they truly are. Good luck, -Tom P.S. While there are some highly reputable tree removal and trimming companies, many in the industry are hacks and hire inexperienced summer crews for low wages. It would not surprise me one bit if the tree removal contractor did the damage. But in many ways the same issues apply to the landscaping industry. Hiring reputable contractors in both fields is by far more important than finding the best price.

Hate to be Debbie Downer but I tried the Mercer sale once in the heat and said no more...the whole bus ride from across the street and all picked over stuff...not worth it. I live in Mem NW off Louetta and Champion Forest. So let me make some suggestions: Plants for All Seasons on Louetta...plant choice is up and down. But the 2 guys that run the place are so nice and helpful. Arborgate...mentioned before...awesome...worth the drive RCW...again plants are hit and miss, but they have great natives choices. Worth the drive to Houston: Another Place In Time ( I go several times a year) Wabash on Washington Buchanans ( same street as Another Place in Time) Also go to Jerry's Jungle page ...I go every sale he has. He has awesome tropicals...not sure how the freeze affected him though. Get your tomatoes in the ground super early

Watering sounds about right. The ride home-something I forgot to ask you about, could have caused the rapid drying down of the foliage. Don't bother with any "root stimulators" or any other gizmos or potions. The plant already knows how to regenerate a root system. All it needs is time. While some others here have immediately dismissed this as "normal fall leaf drop", it is obviously not so, having happened more or less over night. But the combo of the season and the ride home in the wind could account for it. finally, look at the ends of the twigs for buds. If the buds are present and hard and full of sap, not dried out and shriveled, the tree will most likely be fine next year. +oM