Just a thought: Call/contact your state forestry/conservation service. From my Mo. forestry service in Jeffeson City, I bought a bundle of cypress trees (25 trees about 3 feet tall and 1/2" in diameter) for $12.00, plus $5.75 handling (UPS). I planted 10 around and in my new pond about 7 weeks ago and they have already grown about 3" each. From experience I know that a smaller tree, planted correctly to establish a good root system will be about the same size as a tree twice as tall within 5 years or so. It just takes a shorter period of time for transplant shock and the root system will establish itself faster and grow stronger and quicker. Just a thought????