Beech tree is surrounded by house. Album has lots of pictures. If you look through them quickly it looks cool! https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf
The Northern catalpa. Some people HATE this tree. It has big leaves and seeds to rake up. I don't see the problem though. The seed pods are light and dry when they fall and disappear when the lawnmower goes over them. Mr. Dirr says: "Limited value in the residential landscape because of coarsness; has a place in difficult areas but the use of this and the following species (he names the other catalpas) should be tempered." Mine is right in front of my house and provides wonderful shade. And when it blooms in late spring, it is a sight to behold!
I don’t always agree with “the experts.” Michael Dirr is a famous expert. His book Manual of Woody Plants has been the main textbook for courses on the subject. Here’s what Michael Dirr says about one of my favorite shrubs: “Old favorite for sweetly-scented flowers; does not have much to recommend it for the modern landscape” “All Philadelphus types require about the same care – none. They are vigorous, easy to grow plants but are strictly of single season quality. In flower they are attractive to some but the rest of the year (about 50 weeks) are real eyesores. My garden space and labor are too valuable to waste on shrubs which only return a small interest. Consider these factors be
