If you want to pamper your tree, mulch it (if it's not already mulched) or extend the mulched area out a little (if it's in a smaller mulched area). Mulch -improves soil fertility and texture as it breaks down, -prevents germination of many weed seeds, -reduces competition for food and water from grass and weeds, -reduces erosion, -helps to maintain soil moisture during dry periods, -often aids drainage by preventing surface crusting and sealing, -can keep roots cooler during hot summer weather, -can help to moderate soil temperature fluctuations, -reduces frost-heaving, -reduces certain soil-borne diseases by preventing soil and fungi from splashing onto foliage, -prevents damage from mowers and trimmers, -and improves the look of the landscape.

the seed are called gumballs ... and when the tree ages enough.. to start dropping them.. you will not be able to walk barefoot in your yard ... glorious PARK trees.. you better think long and hard about whether your yard is big enough ... also.. known for surface roots ... and suckers.. if you cut a root ... now.. if you just gotta have one.. check out the link ... who cares about all the other problems.. lol apparently i am a bit bipolar on my opinion of these trees.. lol ... oh.. and i forgot to mention.. the heavenly.. aroma of a crushed leaf. but it is very ephemeral.. lasting only seconds ... ken Here is a link that might be useful: pay real money for a variegated one ...

there are all kinds of variations on the theme ... its the thin leaves that are easy to set you on the right track ... and of course.. it standing next to water ... just btw.. they are not good backyard trees .. so just kill that dream .. if thats where you are thinking of going ... ken

Thanks, all! I've never seen a sliver maple so I looked it up, apparently they're rare in my area but common in Canada (which is where the show is filmed). All that I've seen here are red maples and Japanese maples (not wild, of course). We really don't have any trees that you can climb that easily here, either, now that I think about it. Most of our trees have thick trunks and small limbs that would break if you put any real weight on it. My parents had a dogwood that I'd climb as a kid, but the dogwood I have would squish into jelly if I climbed it! LOL Black walnut, maybe, but you really don't see that many of them. So I guess if zombies ever attack, climbing a tree to hide isn't going to be an option :-O