In message .com,
writes
we live in the mid-south (the climate zone covers north mississippi,
southwest/central TN); soil is solid clay (hard, reddish color);
builder put black top soils on it.

1) neighbor's dog; friendly to me, but like to chase cars!
http://216.119.177.53/help2ID/DSC_5445.JPG

2) this tree faces the west and doesn't look very healthy.
http://216.119.177.53/help2ID/DSC_5448.jpg
leaves close-up:
http://216.119.177.53/help2ID/DSC_5449.JPG

3) what are the plants in the lower left and upper right, separately?
http://216.119.177.53/help2ID/DSC_5450.JPG

Looks like Hosta and Aucuba.

4) the root looks like ginger:
http://216.119.177.53/help2ID/DSC_5451.JPG

Identified as Iris elsethread.

5) pretty, with waxy leaves; dark green, very healthy:
http://216.119.177.53/help2ID/DSC_5452.jpg

leaves, flowers, fruits closeup:
http://216.119.177.53/help2ID/DSC_5453.JPG

Camellia

6) i think this is maple; but what kind? i did some research and
exclude "florida maple", although florida maple is native to where i
live and popular.
leaves:
http://216.119.177.53/help2ID/DSC_5454.JPG

balk:
http://216.119.177.53/help2ID/DSC_5455.jpg

Possibly Acer rubrum or Acer saccharum. (It's not Acer pseudoplatanus
(sycamore) as possibly suggested elsethread.)

thanks a lot.


--
Stewart Robert Hinsley