The largest silver maple in the city I live in is in my backyard. I don't recall the circumference at the moment, but let's just say it's as big around as a pickup truck cab. Real big. Ninety feet tall. Many leads are as big as some full-grown trees. This tree shades four different yards. We've lived here since'81, and over that time, some large limbs have failed. No major structural damage yet. Where limbs came off, there are some pretty sketchy looking wounds now. SM does not wall off wounds very well and the result is decayed pockets at each former branch location. Since decay moves most readily in the vertical plane, I surmise that there are considerable hollow or punky areas now. Because huge portions of this tree do overhang our house, I'm thinking about taking it down. But even though I am a horticulturist who turns into an arborist each winter, this job is beyond my talents at this point. Actually, if I had long-term access to a bucket truck, I could get it down, but lacking that, it's just way too much. Estimates for removal ranged upwards to one of $7500. Yeah, it's a beast and plenty of targets in the way below it. Still, I'm not a SM hater. For all the reasons already stated, I think they are of value. But I wouldn't plant one as near to a house or other high value target as this one was. +oM

I can't imagine where you saw that they don't feed on plants (leaves and fruit), zzackey. That's exactly what they eat. There are some predatory species in other parts of the world, but won't be found here. In most situations, they aren't considered a major pest, but they are known to be a problem to citrus and other tree fruits. As mentioned earlier in this thread, they are more likely to be found in the tops of deciduous trees, munching away.

Here are two graphics of my proposed kitchen with the idea of using honed green granite on the perimeter, cherry butcher block on the island with a soapstone farmhouse prep sink. I have included a gorgeous kitchen from which I got the inspiration plus the forth picture shows my honed granite samples and soapstone below. Any and all thoughts regarding the concept? Dolls house view  (Click on picture for larger view) Floor level view  (Click on picture for larger view) Inspiration example  (Click on picture for larger view) My granite and soapstone samples [Top - Granite, Bottom - Soapstone]  (Click on picture for larger view)

Beautiful! I'm about to redo most of my first floor in (~1000 sq ft) in wood-look tile. Great idea using two different sizes.