Texas Gardening: Need help choosing a new tree and source?, 1 by Texas_Doodlebug

Texas_Doodlebug wrote:
Siggy - We have determined that it is probably not a true Shumard oak but probably a Shumard Oak crossed with a Pin Oak, which does get iron chlorosis. :-(


Tir_Na_Nog -Your question regarding the leveling...well I used a level. Since our yard is on a slope, I started with the highest point and dug under ground level about 2-3 inches. I then put in a little sand, put in the stone and got out the level. I checked the level side to side, front to back and diagonal across the stone. What ever was too high, got tapped down by a rubber mallet. Then I put the next one in and the level went across both stones, comparing the height and front to back levelness (if that is such a word) across the stones. And proceeded with the next one. I think you get the picture. It took a little longer but was definitely worth it. The first layer of stones is the most important. If you can just get that one right then the rest are easy because you just set them on top of the existing ones. And I did not use any glue what so ever.

I did all the rock work myself with the exception of the wall in the back. I designed the wall and dug about 45 feet of the 60 foot trench (in the summer time) and decided I would hirer someone to actually dig the rest of the trench and haul in the stones. I was the overseer of that project and made them use a level. They had no idea how hands on I was until I started coming out asking them to re-do sections of the bottom layer again, because it wasn't quite right. Once the first layer or so was done, then they just kept piling on the stone. Thanks for the compliments. I am glad you liked it.

The picture is an old one of me working on the tree border out front.