> I have a tree problem that seems even worse. I am losing 100-foot-tall hardwoods. Two hickory trees and an oak are standing out there as dead as a doornail.

Just as a matter of interest, (you are American aren't you?) do you have dutch elm disease over there? It's ruining a lot of elm trees around Europe. Actually, I know there are plenty of people from New Zealand and Australia on this site; do you have the disease over there? In fact, are there any other diseases that we have and you don't? Just as a matter of interest...

Phil-"hee hee hee, diseeeeeeeeease"-bee