I made the same mistake, planting BOP too close to screened porch. However, I dug up and moved the entire plant to a better location without trimming it to the ground as you have done. The root ball was huge and filled with a nest of baby ringneck snakes. My BOP probably weighed 150 pounds and was incredibly difficult to move. It took the abuse well and is very happily growing in a good location now. Take care of yours before it grows back. It will grow back. With a vengeance. Best wishes!

If you think you can dig around the drip line of the 'Bird's Nest' (I imagine) Spruce, slide it onto a tarp and transport it into a prepared new resting place, then I think it could be done. Fall just before going into dormancy would be best. I think the bigger question is whether you can grow hosta in zone 1b. Most hosta list USDA zone 3 as the coldest recommended. Do you know of anyone doing this? I think it would be hard to do if a USDA zone 1....or is 1b that Canadian system? Pictures, a measured size and transferring the question to the conifers forum would get a more expert answer on the relocation. Jon

The type of bird she is I believe is a regular sparrow as far as I know. The father has red on his chest and the mother is just a plain brown sparrow, I live in the Arizona desert in Lake Havasu City, Az. I failed to mention that the birds have not hatched yet they are still in there eggs. She laid the eggs last week. The egg laying started on the 8th she had one a day and has 3 now, so they were laid on the 8th, 9th and 10th. Adding the fake foilage is a good idea. I can monitor the nest very easily because it is right by the front door hanging on the wall and I have a glass front door. bandjzmom, this is not a hanging basket(although I do have those hanging out front too),this is a wrought iron planter with a flat back that one puts the coco fibar in it and it hangs on the wall. I stopped watering it because it would of for sure flooded the nest and I did not want to do that so I let the flowers die and that is the problem, it put the nest right out in the open. I think I will move it up and add some fake foilage (GREAT IDEA Lisa) I will then watch the nest from the inside at the front door. I think I have a better chance of this working because the birds have not hatched yet. I will keep you updated. I am relieved to know that she will not leave her eggs. Thanks and if anyone else feels like chiming in I am all ears. Thanks Again, Carrie

The ivory tusk is only valuable if you have satisfactory documentation that it was collected before the ban was enacted. Otherwise it is contraband and subject to seizure. Since it came from your grandmother, it most likely was collected pre-ban, but it would be worthwhile finding some evidence of that (even old pics, will do). A qualified art appraiser may also be able to satisfactorily date the overall object to a period before the ban, as well. I know it may seem like too much government meddling, but tusks are only acquired by killing mature elephants which is why the ivory trade nearly wiped out the species. Since legal ivory trade is almost non-existent now, documented old ivory may be even more valuable as raw material for repairing ivory objects (piano keys, musical instruments, inlays, etc.). I really don't think the authorities will burst into your house and arrest you for having the nest. I was very sorry to have to post the info and dampen your pleasure. But I am always on alert for when birds' eggs, nests or feathers start to get mentioned as fashionable for decoration. That's when true environmental harm can start: as people begin to seek out nests and don't undertsand how harmful it can be. I have to confess that I sometimes display (for a short period) a nest found during winter walks, and very often bird feathers lost from molting or even broken egg shell fragments I find. But they are only transitory things on my desk for a day or so, then out they go. I love looking at the colors mostly. My mother's collection wouldn't be a draw to non-scientists, for various reasons. And it wasn't gathered here in the US, so it's not local species. But you're right, I should do something with it - if only because I am in my 60's and eventually someone else will inherit the responsibilty for it. L