In article , Sue & Bob Hobden
writes

"Andy" wrote in message ...
I have a circular area cut out of the centre of my lawn which is about
seven feet in diameter. I would like to plant something bold there
and would welcome any suggestions. I like BIG things so trees are
fine. Although my children are usually well-behaved, whatever goes in
there will have to be able to withstand the odd bash from them.

I have thought about a monkey puzzle tree, or a very large Camelia or
that tree which has bronze-coloured bark (the name escapes me for the
moment). This area can be seen clearly from the dining room so I
don't mind spending a bit either.


With small kids I would not recommend a "Monkey Puzzle Tree" they really do
have branches like a string of razor blades. They are also very expensive if
you want something bigger than a foot tall because they are very slow
growing. :-)

They're not *that* bad! ;-)
Ours was 8 inches tall when we bought it, and spent about 3 years
looking ridiculous. But for the past 5 years it's been looking quite
statuesque and is now 7 ft tall.

What about a brewer's spruce - the one with long dangly needles, like a
maltese terrier. That's lovely. But I don't know how big it gets ore how
it copes with children.

There's also that Cornus which grows in layers and has showy white
flowers - that's something that really needs to stand on its own as a
specimen.
--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/edward/index.htm