I was asked to post pictures of the three bur oaks I am planting on my property
Here they are:
http://imgur.com/a/MPA7G

"On the National Register of Big Trees is a Bur Oak in Berrien, Michigan with a circumference of 313 inches, 73 feet in height and a spread of 117 feet. Not bad."

in fall.. when they lose their leaves ... NOT NOW ...

ken

thanks for your interesting comments.
This is an interesting topic. I am european and it is my impression that we europeans certainly don't have an aversion for branches above the roof.
I read some days ago a landscaping guy where I found something that was so alien to my culture that I thought was ludicrous. They said that if you have a small house you should plant small trees so that it is "proportionate", and that it make your house look bigger. This is absolutely the opposite of what most people would think back in the old country where a small house underneath a large massive tree is considered wonderful. Nobody would care if the house is big or not. On the opposite, a small tree next to a small house would only make the house look new, and in Europe we are not so fond of new houses. So, an interesting cultural difference in the gardening perspectives :-).

Also, we have no aversion of trees close to the houses, as long as they are not going to damage the foundations. If we would even remotely as sensitive as people are here, we probably wouldn't have any space for trees.
My perspective is that by the time these three trees will be seriously large I will be probably 6 foot under and probably not living in that house anymore.

Regarding groups vs single specimens. From a landscaping value point of view, what a group achieves is VERY different from what a single specimen achieves. Each has its own place but they are far from being the same. Regarding the overall distance, trees naturally grow in woods where they are far closer than that. More importantly, I don't see how the fact that a bur oak can grow to be 100ft wide is considered evidence that it is what it needs. Living things adapt.

Also, what you have seen here is just three trees from a plan I have for my garden that, at this point, will involve the cutting of about 20-25 trees and the planting of 70-90 plus the addition of a 2-row windbreak on the north and west side. That is the reason why they might appear to be very close despite the abundance of available space. One thing I learnt the hard way is that when you design a garden, the more you plan ahead the better it is, and that, in the case of acreages, you often overestimate the rate of growth of plants.

@sanctified: I have just short of 3 acres.

I'll soon update with the pictures of the planted trees. I did my best!

P.S. one of the trees (the one that was most vigorously growing) had the top half of the root ball completely empty of roots. From this, and from looking at the root flare, I evinced that the plant must have been planted too deep into the container and that the top half of the root ball was acting as a mulch.... we'll see if I am right

If you have children, I would ask you to consider their safety in your choice of planting areas. It's more than just about what YOU want. It's about the safety and well being of others.

P.S Having said the above, I think you have a lovely yard and I hope you enjoy your new trees.

John

JMHO
Arktrees

Also, sometimes I hear griping about the shade of an overhanging tree messing with the roof. And every time I hear this, I am reminded of some information I read long ago that stated unequivocably that it is sun light falling on the roof which most degrades it.

+oM

PS...no, I don't know how to spell "unequivacably"

1) I don't have kids
2) that building is a workshop and garage, not a house.
3) thanks for your deliberate judgment of my sanity and my ethics.

Cheers!

hortster

Arktrees