Some of my trees I put 4 foot farm fence around, the one in picture, about 8 years old could probably be removed. I like my branches to start at about 4 feet, reason, I can mow easy, pick up apple easy from ground, in general, get around your tree easier, and wildlife have it harder to reach and destroy your tree. Konrad

Camassia seems to require sun in the spring, before trees leaf out. It behaves much like daffodils in that it grows, blooms, then dies back until next year. I have it in several places that are quite sunny *now*, but will be very shady in another month and it seems to be fine. Many years ago, I threw some hosta (Krossa Regal if anyone is keeping score) in tiny holes under a red maple of the non-Japanese, large kind, then walked away. They are still there, so hostas can get established under fairly difficult types of maple. The rest of the area is pachysandra, which also seems able to coexist. Then there is the flowering quince that does OK from a survival standpoint, but fails the actual flowering part because of too much shade. It's a tough environment, but not an impossible one.

I am dealing with a similar problem having just cut down a large Arbutus (very sadly, virus I suspect) and also having in place a very large fir stump. Thse two stumps are virtually entwined. Cannot afford to have them pulled out.) Having mulled this over, am planning to plant (in my sandy soil) either a Pyrus "Chanticleer) or a Robinia "Frisia" in that location. Don't know if that helps!

Good quality pots with purely gritty mix will have no problem being outside all year round. For sedums you can use clay saucers with holes drilled and they will be OK even the cheap ones. I have a mix of alpines in a good quality strawberry planter and it stays out all year round. It has been at least 7 years now. Here is a pic. There are semps on top too but the siberian iris is covering it up. This needs to be thinned out. Stumps are great for creative gardening. Ours is a hug oak stump in front. The tree was taken down in 2004 and the stump is still there although pretty much rotted now. I think it will collapse a lot next year. Here is a pic with flowers planted.