LS Designers/Plantspeople Suggestions Please

**l*@juno.com**

Hi Everyone,

Hurricane Sandy uprooted a 30-inch diameter, 60+ foot tall multi-branched
ash tree that marked the center of the shrub border in our back garden.
It took with it a half-dozen of its neighboring mature deciduous trees.
Just in front of it, still in good shape, is a fountain that has a 6-foot
diameter pond at its base. Thirty-year old Rhodies flanked the tree. This
was the focal point of the garden. We were able to salvage the fountain
and pond, the Rhodies and perennials, and are still cutting up the trees.

My job is to figure out what to put in the ash tree's place, come spring.
At our age (Medicare-eligible), we want a pretty tree that's fast-growing
(but not weak), can tolerate the newfound sunspot long enough to produce
enough shade for my predominantly shady garden to survive, doesn't
compete with the Rhodies when they're in bloom, and ideally produces
flowers and/or fruit. We're in Zone 5B (Northwestern NJ) with heavy
clay/stoney acid soil. The lot is heavily forested, so I want something
that will fit in with a woodland garden style. In late July and August,
this space can become very dry.

We probably won't live long enough to see another forest tree mature, so
I'm thinking some kind of mid-story (30-feet?), possibly native tree. I'm
inclined to look for something that has a horizontal spread, but am not
sure that's the way to go. I'm considering either deciduous or evergreen.

I'm at my wits' (and reference book/internet search) end and would
welcome suggestions.

Merry Christmas!
Lois

Lois J. de Vries
Visit: http://cultivatingtheinnergardener.blogspot.com
Visit: http://loisdevries.blogspot.com
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