I was in Amarillo I think it was in January of 2002 where they had 2' of snow on the ground and I couldn't see above the drifts and snow piles plowed along the roads and parking lots. I had trouble finding my way out of a couple of parking lots, because it was like a white snow maze. It was quite the site! So, you all can have some significant snows from time to time. I'd also add that Amarillo is within relatively easy driving of some very cool nurseries(Sunshine Nursery in nearby Clinton, OK; High Country Gardens in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM; Trees That Please in Los Lunas, NM; Wichita Valley Nursery in Wichita Falls, TX to name a few). Even in the winter when they do get cold it usually doesn't feel as cold because of the dry atmosphere and strong sunlight (both because of the higher elevation, usual lack of clouds, and more Southerly latitude). Also, the spectacular scenery that's not too far off in places like Palo Duro(also full of botanical gems!), the Wichita and Quartz Mountains of nearby SW Oklahoma, the Rita Blanca National Grasslands, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, the awesome multicolored deserts of nearby NM, and the National Forests in the same area. Lots of native plants in the area that are still somewhat underutilized in the nursery industry growing in surrounding areas near to Amarillo to select from, if you're interested in the nursery aspect. Like rcnaylor said, I don't think you have to worry about population crowding being a problem in the area for probably about say...200 years or so at least? he he I also think land can be bought for reasonably cheap prices as well. I would also agree that if you're an Easterner (most seem to see this area as stark and lifeless, which it isn't!) or someone who prefers forested or heavily treed areas, you might not like it, but there are trees, native and cultivated, and you can grow lots of trees in the area. I'd also say that many spots in New Mexico have many of these same things going for them as Amarillo, except usually more mountains and more forests at different elevations on the mountains, although the lower altitude areas are more similar to Amarillo.

Okay, I hope I can answer most of these question. As many of you may or may not know, the Princeton Elm was choosen for its landscape characteristics back in 1920, before DED even hit US soil. Now 88 years forward and 100 million elms dead, the Princeton is still growing and able to fit a new void in the plant pallet of an upright vase shape, arching canopy shade tree. Now there are several trees that are DED resistant, but non have the landscape qualities, rate of growth and color of the Princeton. That is why the National Park system chose it for planting in front of the White House and many city and state governments are choosing the Princeton as the tree of choice. Now lets look at some of those questions. 1. Heat tollerant? The Princeton Elm has been sent as far south as Orlando Florida as I have read. 2. Home Depot? My understanding is that they do not carry the tree anymore, seem like the last time a couple of weeks ago I was in a HD, they did not have any trees. New leadership and market conditions I bet. I think I heard that Garden Centers would start handling the trees now. 3. Leaf Scorch? I have some here in Georgia and they do not seem to be affected by Leaf Scorch. 4. Japanese Beetles. Yes, they will eat on the leaves, but the tree grows 3' to 6' in one season, so the beetles are only affecting the look, not the health of the tree. 5. caliche soil (alkaline soil)- Research done on the Princeton has indicated it grows in a very very wide ranges of soils until you get into desert/sand type of conditions. Zone 2b to 9 make it one of the most widely ranging trees in North America. The soils in these regions vary widely, so I dont think it would have a problem. Give it a try and report back to us. I hope this may help?? Thanks!

I will have mine pruned up to about 12 feet before I let them begin their typical arching vase shape. I may go even higher as I see them develop a little more. I have "Liberty Elms," which may be a little more erect growing and less spreading. I think 5 feet it is a little low for an elm to start its division into its large ascending limbs. Without seeing what you have it is hard to give good advice, but if the tree is young and vigorous, as it apparently is, you can do some really radical pruning that may seem extreme, but as the tree grows it will quickly overcome the loss and start growing in a better shape. Maybe you could select the best and strongest limb that is nearest the center of the others and cut off or radically shorten the others. It may look like a real "hack' job for a while, but in the long run it may make for a better tree. One of my trees has a tendency to fork with one side somewhat stronger but deflected in the opposite direction by the lesser side of the fork. I have been cutting off the lesser side, even though it seems extreme and leaves the trunk a bit crooked. But the tree is growing fast and so far it seems that the crook to the right, and then the one to the left will hardly be noticeable as the tree grows bigger and develops a balanced crown. At about 12 feet I see the tree beginning to divide into a beautiful set of ascending branches. For my tree that is probably the height it will have unless it develops in a way in the next couple of years that makes me thing differently. Many of the elms that once lined our town streets had divisions of their trunks 15 to 20 feet high. --Spruce

I have several wild American Elm growing on my property near Waco, Tx. I still have at least one of these potted (about 2' tall). IF someone wants it, I will send it to you bare-rooted free of charge up until end of April, except you must agree to post here annually its growth results and agree to at least weekly watering if no rainfall during spring -fall for first year. Our American Elm here appear to be DED- free, but the trees are much shorter than described back east. Our native Cedar Elm appear to be the better choice for here, but the few large American Elm growing only along river and creek beds do look nice. I am not an expert on American Elm, only an interested observer on the western fringes of their territory.