Did you ever get any compensation from the insurance company? His or yours?

NO! If it had affected the house or fence, I would have pursued it. But the accident forced me to do something that needed to be done anyway.. Got a great deal from my neighbors (who are in the tree removal service), and they were glad to remove it as now there is full sun in their living room, but bedrooms are still shaded by the remaining tree. tLOL, yes, I know Bill, the one next to it will now really take off. I bought another one for further down the line that is NOT supposed to be as wde, a Bracken's Brown (named after the really dark, chocolate brown leaf undersides), to plant in the Spring. Also need to find room for a D.D. Blanchard. (which is not a smaller one!).

"Just to clarify, are you saying your Magnolia grandifloras are self seeding?"

YES! I have to take out one in the front by a fence when I get a chance, and already cut out two growing by the side of the house! Why? Is this unusual? Not sure which cultivar has been self-sowing but suspect it's the Edith Bogue.

P.S., This is the remaining Edith Bogue with snow today. BTW!, SNOW weight issues really matter here! Most cultivars are very good with snow load, branches will bend down dramatically if there is a heavy, Wet snow. Then, magically lift upward in the day as the sun melts the snow. Ironically, most conifers would probably just snap off! However, there are a few SM cultivars that are HORRIBLE with snow loads! I had strongly vertical cultivals, like 'Alta', and they just were all taken out due to snow load damage.