Evergreen trees and shrubs are generally more expensive than their counterparts, although many feel that they are well worth the extra expense not only for their year-round beauty, but also their reliability and longevity. Evergreens can range all the way from broadleaved shrubs like rhododendron to the tall pines and spruces that many people think of as simply "evergreens".

Perhaps the most common of evergreen trees is the pine. It's noted for its long, soft needles and its rapid growth. In fact, they often attain 60 to 80 ft. maturity very quickly.Red pine is popular as well and useful for creating textured backgrounds and windbreaks. The Ponderosa pine is a more compact tree that is often used for wind protection and ornamental purposes. The Austrian or black pine, with its spreading branches is very commonly used in the Midwest.

Perhaps the most widely planted evergreen that is used for a windbreak is the Norway spruce tree. It grows very fast, it's very hardy, has short dark green needles, and is shaped like a pyramid. The Black Hills spruce tree is also very tough and resistant to drought. It grows much slower than the Norway spruce but can still achieve a height of 40 ft. in time.

White spruce on the other hand, can mature close to 60 to 70 ft. in height and is often used in landscaping designs. colorado blue spruce is generally hardy, however it does suffer some in extreme heat and drought conditions.

Red Cedar is perhaps the most popular of the evergreen Cedar trees. It's often used as an ornamental tree for both hedges and windbreaks. It tends to be very tough and hardy, and takes winter very well.

Perhaps the best overall Evergreen tree for windbreaks and screening is the Douglas fir tree. It's hardy and drought resistant, grows fast, has a pyramid shape, and looks great in most landscape designs. The Balsam fir, which is also known as the Christmas tree, is well-known for its fragrance and unique appearance. On the other hand, the white fir tree has an attractive silver color instead.

The Juniper family of Evergreen trees is often used in planting, with the tall types such as the upright Juniper being used as a textured background, and the spreading types like the Pfitzer juniper being used for groundcover and edgings.

Yew, has thick glossy needles and upward reaching branches, and can be used as both a shrub and a tree. In fact, they can even grow well in sun and shade, making it one of the most versatile evergreens.

Evergreens as a whole can be adversely affected by hot, dry weather conditions and need to be watered every couple of weeks or so at this time. Be sure to water it enough so that the moisture will reach deep into the ground at least 6 in. or so. Applying a layer of mulch in dry weather can also help protect against moisture loss during this period.

It's a good idea to prune evergreens in the late spring just before the new buds appear. And in the late fall give them a good deep watering to help prevent the branches drying out and cracking under the weight of snow or the force of wind during the winter.

As you can see, there are a lot of varieties of evergreen trees that accomplish many different tasks in a home landscaping design. Hopefully this article will help you choose the one that will work best for your home and help you care for it properly too.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find free landscaping ideas and front yard landscaping ideas by visiting our Home Improvement website.

Nominated for five Academy Awards (most of them related to effects and visuals), and winner of the Oscar for special Visual Effects, Tora! Tora! Tora! is a true Hollywood blockbuster. Long before the star-studded, over-hyped disney film Pearl Harbor, film creators gave us a much better picture of the events surrounding December 7, 1941. Often shown on the history Channel, Tora! Tora! Tora! almost fits the definition of a documentary. The film doesn't employ sideshow tricks such as love triangles (i.e. Pearl Harbor) in order to create audience interest. In fact, few of the actors stand out on their own. Instead, each character plays his part as it most likely unfolded in real life - and the real life version of Pearl Harbor is interesting enough on its own

Tora! Tora! Tora! originates as the Japanese call sign for a full-fledged attack on the American naval installation at Pearl Harbor. When the Japanese Empire continues its expansion throughout the Asian-Pacific realm, the United States institutes economic sanctions. As further divisions threaten to bring about war between the two nations, Japanese admirals convene in order to plan a surprise preemptive attack on the United States Navy in the event that war becomes inevitable.

Among those present is Admiral Yamamoto (So Yamamura) who agrees to carry out the plan, but as a man who studied extensively in the United States, he believes his fellow countrymen underestimate the resolve and the industrial might of the American people. Nonetheless, the Japanese continue their surveillance of Pearl Harbor with a plan to annihilate the US Navy and its vital fleet of aircraft carriers.

Meanwhile, certain people in Washington are intercepting coded messages between the island of Japan and its ambassador to the United States. As the rumor of a Japanese attack begins to take hold, officials attempt to convince the top leaders in the chain of command. But the idea of such a bold and unprovoked attack is difficult to comprehend.

When the Japanese arrive at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, they realize their plan has worked well. They achieve total surprise, and the call of Tora! Tora! Tora! goes out to the fleet, launching a second wave of attack planes. The Japanese attacks sink several battleships, but not a single carrier (the carriers unexpectedly left the harbor to practice maneuvers). Threatening to annihilate Pearl Harbor, the Japanese are unexpectedly called back by a conservative admiral, leaving the scene before than can inflict maximum damage. The mistake is eloquently expressed by Admiral Yamamoto who fears that his countrymen have "only managed to awaken a sleeping giant"

Despite its 1970 release date, Tora! Tora! Tora! remains a wonderful film that can hold its own in the special effects department with any modern day blockbuster. In fact, the older camera technology makes the scenes subconsciously feel more realistic than modern day films such Pearl Harbor. If you're looking for a good, suspenseful movie (and one which teaches history too), then you'll be hard pressed to find a better option than Tora! Tora! Tora! one of the best war films of all time, Tora! Tora! Tora! is a definite must see film.

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one. Source: http://thedvdreport.blogspot.com/2005/02/tora-tora-tora-dvd.html

We've all heard the predictions - Fifteen major atlantic hurricanes are expected for 2007, five of which are predicted to impact Central florida. Certainly, nobody yet has forgotten the four hurricanes that inconvenienced us in 2004, nor can we forget the three storms of 2005. But before we look ahead to this coming season, let's stop and take stock of the lessons we've learned from our most recent experiences and prepare our children for this year.

In 2004 and 2005, we pulled together as a community and did all the things good friends and neighbors do when the chips are down. We shared food, water, tarps, and cell phones, and we took time to connect with the strangers across the street. We reached out to those in need and made some great new friends in the process. We hunkered down, we weathered the storm, and together we cleared the deadwood.

We became accustomed to the blue tarps, and fortunately, tarp city is almost gone. So what can we do to prepare for this year? Certainly we cannot change Mother Nature. After all, few mothers allow her children to change her. However, we have now learned how to live with her. And that is the first step towards a safe season.

The good news is that most of the things five hurricanes can damage have already been damaged and replaced. New roofs, stronger windows, and better structures mean less damage. The old trees are gone and the new trees are firmly rooted in their place. Our communities are now ready to come through the storm with minimal or no damage.

Yes, were ready. We all know what we have to gather, and for the most part, we all have our storm supplies ready. Sure, there are some things we can still do. For example, we can still have our plan of where to go when the phones are out. We still need to know where the closest shelter is.

Those of us with kids should consider going to visit friends or relatives when the next storm comes. After all, what better time is there to go on vacation than when a hurricane is in town?

Weve all discovered that cell phones work during the storm, and weve all learned that if you cant call directly to a family member, then we need somebody else to calla central friend or message boardsomebody out of town who can let everyone else know were okay. Dont forget text messaging, email and SMS. Teens and even young kids with cell phones are expert at these technologies. Chaos is the only constant in natural disasters such as hurricanes. The answer to coping with the sense helplessness chaos brings is to take control of some aspect of the disaster. Even if you know how to text message, ask your kids to help you or even teach you to use these technologies.

The key to feeling safe and not worrying about this years storms is to be prepared and to have a plan. Make sure your children know the plan, have practiced the plan and can implement the plan without you. Thats right, the key to security is knowledge. After 2004 and 2005, we have the knowledge and we have the experience. And as a result, well get through this years storms far easier than we got through last years.

So when the wind blows and the rain falls this season, well be warm, dry, and hunkered down. Well play games with our kids, talk with our kids and maybe even learn something about them as people. Well hold your children close until the sun shines in Central florida again. After all, they dont call us the Sunshine State for nothing.

Dr. Maurice A. Ramirez is the founder and president of the consulting firm High alert, LLC.. He serves on expert panels for pandemic preparedness and healthcare surge planning with Congressional and Cabinet Members. board certified in multiple specialties, Dr. Ramirez is Founding Chairperson of the American board of Disaster Medicine and serves the nation as a Senior Physician-Federal Medical Officer in the national Disaster Medical system. Dr. Ramirez has a new book: You Can Survive Anything, Anywhere, Every Time. His website is http://www.High-Alert.com