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| - If I were reviewing the selection of trees, easily a 5-star review. But since I have to factor in the less than charming sales guy stuffing his face with a pulled pork sandwich while "helping" me, not quite a 5 anymore.
After it became apparent that Spring would not resurrect our dearly departed pepper tree, I decided the best way to pick a tree was not from a book of perfect specimens beautifully photographed. I also cannot envision what a twig in a small pot will look like in 5 or 10 years either. So we made the trek to Moon Valley to see some actual trees. Their selection is impressive.
We were greeted promptly by said pulled pork guy (PPG). My original plan was to get a crane so I could have a giant tree with instant shade delivered. Until my landscaper informed me it would be about a $1000 for the crane alone. Never mind, a twig will be just fine.
PPG asked about our space constraints for delivery. As there is no direct access to the back yard beyond a narrow breeze way, he helped us determine a 24-inch box was probably the maximum size we could accommodate. Great, now we're getting somewhere. I let PPG know our back yard was small, so we needed a small to medium sized tree. He proceeded to show us all kinds of trees, and seemed particularly fond of selling an ash tree. A tree noted to be a "large" tree on their description because after all, "it is one of the smaller ash trees." By now, it had become apparent he was not going to be much help, and since I can read, we ditched him and looked on our own.
We didn't buy from Moon Valley, but on our way out, PPG reminded us we needed to get a tree in soon so we would have shade for the summer. I guess that 24-inch box tree was expected to spread 10-feet in 8 weeks...unless PPG really wasn't paying any attention to his customer's needs?
What did we buy? A pretty crepe myrtle chosen from a book of beautifully photographed perfect specimens, well maybe not a book, but the internet. A tree our landscaper had never planted, but was able to find. It's still alive. With pretty pink flowers that are supposed to be red. Hmmm.
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