To paraphrase Dirr, "the plant failed to read the tag and therefore just kept growing."

==>>> love it.. wonder if i will remember it long enough to steal it ... lol ..

you dont think its possible the PRESERVE wised up.. and made it die???

ken

@ken_adrian. Chuckling. Perhaps they did make it die.

That Dirr line is a dandy although I've no doubt butchered it beyond recognition over the years. It's buried somewhere in the Manual of Woody Plants.

Back in 2010 I had the privilege by happenstance of accompanying him and wife, Bonnie, on a private tour of Bailey Nurseries in Onarga IL.

I was there for the ILCA Field Days when one of the Bailey reps said, "John, get in that van." I looked bewildered and he repeated, "Now!!" And so a co-worker and I stumbled into the van. And there he was, riding shotgun.

What a treat and incredible experience driving around the nursery with both of the Dirr's for 2 hours.

neither of those dudes look like your account pic.. lol ...

it sounds like one of those times.. you just shut up.. and listen.. and hope you can remember 1/10 of the flowing wisdom ... and when you do say something.. you hope you dont embarrass yourself ... been there ... lol

ken

Ha! You are correct on the account pic. The owner, who is tall, dark and handsome seemed like a better idea for Houzz than me as short, gray and aged!

Although many plants grow to considerable size in my very benign climate, I too am surprised as to just how large Euonymus alatus can get. I was called out on a consultation to a homeowner who had to have his septic system replaced to determine a) what was the cause for the disruption and b) what it could safely be replaced with.

I was not prepared at the size of the 4 winged euonymus lining his drive a good 20' away from the septic field and even further away from any inground piping. These had long ago graduated from shrubs into 20'+ trees with a comparable canopy spread. They were massive!! As was their root system, which we were able to confirm as being the septic damaging culprit. Out they came :-) And they are not even a listed invasive in my area.

I had the privilege of meeting Michael Dirr as well. He was a guest speaker at a trade show I attended and we had a short but spirited discussion after. And he graciously signed one of his books for me - his treatise on viburnums, if I recall correctly. He is a very charming man.