There is nothing much more beautiful than trees laden with blossoms slowly blowing in the wind. Once the blossoms fall, however the trees seem barren. You can solve this problem with hanging baskets of flowers.

Mother's Day is a great time of year for flowers. My wife usually receives one or two baskets of fuschias, which are hung outside widows to be enjoyed along with the views from our home. But, there are only so many windows and overhangs for placing these baskets. We discovered last year that hanging baskets in trees gives unexpected beauty to areas that might otherwise seem plain. We use the holiday and take advantage of basket sales.

Hanging baskets of flowers on tree limbs allows gentle rays of sun to penetrate the leaves, and also gives rain a chance to quench the flowers' thirst. Also, by placing the baskets within easy reach of watering cans or hoses, maintenance is kept at a minimum.

Last year we extended our deck around to the front of the house, which brought lower tree limbs within reach. Watering is a cinch and pinching off old blossoms is a snap.

With baskets in the trees, birds readily invade these miniature flower gardens (squirrels, too). Humming Birds flitting from basket to basket under a canopy of leaves is a wonderful site.

As guests visit, they often comment on the beauty as well as the placement of our hanging baskets. Our trees seem to blossom from spring thru summer with a little help from our "tree flowers."

Don Doman is a published author, video producer, and corporate trainer. He owns the business training site Ideas and Training (http://www.ideasandtraining.com), which he says is the home of the no-hassle "free preview" for business training videos. He also owns Simple Home Repair (http://www.simplehomerepair.com), which has a multitude of ideas for home decorating and landscaping.