...By my recurring interest in Asian culture. And their tiny trees.
I found a nursery that carries seedlings for $http://8.00, and just had to buy this cherry:
I potted it and raised the root bundle up a little. I'm terrible at consistent plant care, but I'm going to do my best with this recent batch on the balcony.
It started with getting this Green Mound Juniper from Home Depot a few days ago, and cutting it into tree form:
I'm surprised nobody commented on my buying just ONE ground cover plant, or comparing ground cover juniper for trunk structure.
Obviously these are nothing fantastic yet, but they're inexpensive and supposedly easy to care for. I'm pretty excited.