"Tom Newton" wrote in message
...
Thanks for such a thoughtful response!

Actually, the earlier comments about the american dogwood (a tree native
to
my area) ... bith for and against. It's funny it was mentioned because my
tree guy has located an american dogwood on a person's yard 10- miles
away -- my guy wants 2,200 installed, he'll garantee the tree.

My wife and I drove past the tree a few days ago, I'd say its a 20+ year
old
american dogwood -- and perfect specimen that never got the fungus or the
beetle. It's about 18ft high and 15ft round, almost perfectly
symetrical...
the stem is about 7 inches diameter -- nice tree

The only concern we have is by placing it where our old american dogwood
finally died of disease and blew over a year ago, we may be putting the
new
tree at risk. But then again it's garanteed, and once we do get it
established, we can give it preventative medicine, right?

Kousa's are a safer choice for sure, but a nice original pink blossoming
american dogwood would make a nice centerpiece

Tom

Replanting with another eastern dogwood, Cornus canadensis, (not
'American' -there is also a western dogwood species) will not automatically
assure that tree will contract the same problems. Dogwood anthracnose, the
most common reason for failure of eastern AND western dogwoods, is not site
specific - it is species specific and location will have little, if
anything, to do with your new tree contracting the problem. OTOH,
transplanting a fairly mature specimen of the same species (and $2200 is
going to be a good sized tree) is asking for problems, guaranteed or not.
These trees are just too prone to this rapidly spreading pathogen and stress
due to transplant shock can be a real stimulus to developing this ailment.
And there is no effective means of prevention.

If your heart is set on a dogwood, look for a kousa or one of the Rutgers
hybrids, both of which demonstrate considerable disease resistance. IMO,
kousas put on a much better and long lasting show than either the eastern or
western species.

Other trees to consider in addition to these or pretty near any form of
Japanese maple are Stewartia psuedocamellia or monadelpha, Parrotia persica,
paperbark maple (Acer grisseum), Styrax japonica or katsura
(Cercidiphyllum). These should all be available (at appropriate costs) in
specimen sizes and with the exception of the maples, have no significant
disease or pest problems.

FWIW, transplanting a specimen sized tree is always a concern. For the money
you are planning to invest, a guarantee is essential.

pam - gardengal