Ed,
Yeah, I haven't got a single conifer in the entire 44 ac; it's mostly hickory, maple, cherry, and walnut. Man, I love them pine trees. I really wanted to plug in Easter White Pine (listed as a top-shelf player in my region and soil), but both the NRCS and State bio. waved me off unless I install appropriate deer forage protection (nope, too much work & too many trees). Instead, they recommend Norway Spruce. I'm not crazy about this option because they look so droopy when they really mature, but I s'pose I shouldn't be concerned....by the time that happens I will likely be their fertilizer. Regarding chem. weed control, I anticipate that when all this stuff really takes root and grows, it's gonna be 2 - 3 years and weeds will be part of the show anyway. There will be an initial Round-up before planting, but I foresee only random cuttings thereafter once or twice a year.
Norm,
When we discussed maint, the bio. did make a special point to me that I have responsibility to keep the tree-lines at bay. He said that there would be random cuttings that should take care of that when done at the perimeter. I will admit that this advice was given when the only plantings were WWNG...not the flowers. I suppose mowings of flowers may be their annual death blow...?
Thanks to both you and all my new PB comrades for the support and help. This, like the fish thing, is a level that I never thought I would aspire to in my life...and luvin' it.
