Hello from a non-exotic place.

[killdawabbit]

I'm testing my sig. But the main thing about me is I'm an Oak nerd. I mean, I've got it really bad for Oaks. Currently I am growing over 80 different species, hybrids and varieties. And I'm on the hunt for more.
I love alpine plants also. But my current rock garden is very crude and I want to change that. I know it will be a years-long process. But you have to start somewhere, right?

[Lori S.]

Welcome, Kyle!  I dunno... Tennessee sounds pretty exotic to me!  Glad to see you have joined us over here. 
Lori

P.S.   Hey, I'm diggin' your avatar... it reminds me that everything I know about opera, I learned from Bugs Bunny.   

[RickR]

everything I know about opera, I learned from Bugs Bunny.   

So all the opera singers wear those funny wigs, right?  (I too, have Bugs Bunny images pasted in my memory in perpetuity!)

Kyle, your avatar pulled giggles from my mouth, too.  And thanks for the signature.  It's so nice never having to manually repeat that often vital information in every post, because it will always be there! 

Oak is a venerable genus.  I have visted Sica Hollow in eastern South Dakota a few times.  Midway up the elevation, there is a midget oak forest/savanna.  The trees are only 12 ft high but very old.  On the highest hill is shortgrass prairie, with species such as Birdsfoot violet.  And in the deep hollow is the westernmost natural stand of sugar maple known.  On any summer day, there is easily a 10 degree drop in temperature in the hollow.

[killdawabbit]

Thanks, Lori and Rick. Talk of those midget oaks has my mouth watering. Going back anytime soon?

[RickR]

Talk of those midget oaks has my mouth watering. Going back anytime soon?

Perhaps in September. I don't know if they are midgets because of genetics or climate.

[killdawabbit]

Rick, I don't know either. But I would love to have any acorns if you ever go back. I'd be glad to trade whatever I have that you might be interested in.
Provenance can make a plant interestingly different than the one one is familiar with. But, I know you already know that.

[Hoy]

Hi kildawabbit, are you interested in Norwegian provenances of Q. robur and petraea?

[cohan]

A belated hello, Kyle! Oaks are fascinating- there are none here at all! I would like to try a couple that might be hardy.. small ones especially are fascinating ( more than enough full size trees here).. do you have a really large property and grow huge oaks or aim for small species or trimmed specimens?

[Schier]

Hello Kyle, looks like my greeting is belated as well!
Oaks are beautiful and interesting, I wish we could grow more of them here - I have just one and I think it's called a Rocky Mountain Oak, smallish, and grows rather quickly. It's in it's third year and is still a happy little tree.  I need more of them!
Looking forward to your posts...

[Gene Mirro]

Kyle, do you have Quercus sadleriana?  It's a brushy oak that only gets 2-3 feet tall.  If you want it, I may have some acorns this Fall.  Let me know.