Okay, I have the opportunity to get a free tree. And there are several varieties to choose from. I have it narrowed down to two, as the others I know I do not like. Well, with us in the new house that isn't landscaped front or back, a free tree is sounding pretty good.

Okay, my choices are a Linden Littleleaf or a Purple Ash. I live in southern Colorado where our growing zone is 5. Does anyone know much about these trees? I've done a little research on them, but would like to hear from someone firsthand if they know anything. I'm afraid of going through the same situation I had with a maple. Many nurseries try to sell maples here and the problem is that there just isn't enough iron in the ground for them to grow. They will do fine for 10 years and then all of a sudden, the leaves will never get green. They bloom and they dry up. We did iron plugs and many, many things before we eventually cut the tree down.

So, I don't want this to happen again with a different tree. Does anyone know much about either of these trees?

Hi Jenni! Pick ME -- pick ME! (just kidding!)

Just by looking around the net I'd go with the Purple Ash. Ash trees are nice looking (I have one) and I found THIS bit of info for you too.

Good luck with your new beginings! I envy you!

LOL! Thanks tree. That's the same website I was looking at earlier! I was hoping someone around here might have had one of the two in their yards! My parents have an ash, although not purple, and I really like that tree. I'm not too familiar with the Linden, although several webiste I read say they are native around here. Hmmm..... Thanks for the links though. And for the luck....we're gonna need it!

Around here (UK and France) the old hands give the same advice to every newcomer. Drive around the immediate area and see what other gardeners have and which thrive.This avoids the problem that you may find differing soil conditions and even significantly different microclimates within quite a small distance of your own backyard. That makes it difficult to be specific about any plant in any zone.So, being a copycat is safe and easy.The same applies to varieties of the same shrub or tree. The varieties that you see everywhere and which have become most popular have become so for a reason; they perform better than other varieties and always have. Of course, you may wish to be different and choose an unusual or rarer one but that may come with a risk of failure.

Another step would be to ask at the local gardening club. All the members have long tales of suffering and mistakes to relate on this very subject of suitability

Prize example of differing soils? My mother had a house which had clay in the back garden but chalk in the front garden. Now that is bizarre !

Great advice Fred.