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#1
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Street Tree Suggestion
I have a house which faces South, in full sun, and I would like to plant a
couple of street trees in the boulevard strip, between the sidewalk and street, for some much-needed shade. I have narrowed it down to several species, and I was wondering which would be the best choice: Norway Maple: Pros: Free (I have some in pots I have dug out of the flower beds last summer), Fast growing Good fall colour Cons: Excessive surface roots Seedlings take up flower beds, and neglected areas Prone to aphids, which drop honeydew English Oak: Pros: Unique Long-Lived Cons: Slow growing (this is a major drawback to most oaks). Catalpa: Pros: Nice flowers Fast Growing There are already 2 across the street and up the block (step toward uniformity) Cons: Drops seed pods Irregular shape not necessarily best for street trees Sycamore / Planetree: Pros: Decorative Bark Fast growing Cons: I'm not all that familiar with this species, so I would like to know some of its downsides. Basswood/Linden: Pros: Nice form Family history (my Great-Grandparents planted a pair on their farm in Wisconsin in 1901, which, to my knowledge, are still standing). Cons: Again, I'm not really that sure, so I would like know, before making a decision. Elm, actually, would be ideal, but I'm not really willing to pay $50 per tree for disease resistant cultivars, and the non-resistant varieties are not readily available. A little about the neighbourhood: It is located in Wallace, Idaho, which is in the cold end of Zone 6 / Warm end of Zone 5. Most of the houses are rather modest, located on standard city lots, and were built in the early 1900's (my particular house is 1 and 1/2 storeys, built in 1910). I recently found a book in my library from 1911, called "Shade Trees for Cities" (or something to that effect), and all of the trees above are listed, though the authors seem to favour Red Oak, Pin Oak, and Norway Maple. I would like to plant something that would've been available during that period (i.e, not a new cultivar or import that was introduced in the 1950's). I heard that, years ago, Cottonwoods were used as street trees, but, I think we are all agreed that these would be poor choices (apparently, the one's that were there have been gone for many years). We have asked about any ordinances dealing with planting in the tree lawn, and the City's response was: "it's your property, plant whatever you want", so, anything goes (which makes for an interesting drive around town, but that's another story). Also, some additional questions: There is a street light directly in front of the house. I was thinking of planting one of trees about 6 feet away from it (extension of front path to curb is about 10 feet one side, and the tree-hating neighbour's lot is the same distance on the other. How close can I safely plant to this? The water service is also located on the tree lawn. Would there be any danger of damage from roots, or would the pressurized water protect it from damage? Sorry for the long post, but, since trees are a long-term investment, I would like to do this right. James McMillan |
#2
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Street Tree Suggestion
HI James, I'm practically a neighbor, here in Spokane. All of the choices
you listed are grown here with success. The Norway Maple, while weedy, is hardy to our cold and drought, and sturdy through storms, etc. The sycamore (plane tree) is also very drought-tolerant and a majestic tree - many people are sensitive to the minute fibers it releases in spring. Sycamores also release their hard, plasticky leaves over a VERY long time - sometimes from September through January, making it a messy tree to keep up with during the late fall and winter. I like catalpas, but they are prone to breakage their first few years in summer rain and wind-storms. After that, they are good sturdy trees here.However, they have no fall color. The leaves turn a sickly green and drop very quickly. (Which isn't necessarily a bad thing). Oaks are slow growing, although the red oaks are not as slow as the white, and I think pin oaks have some very nice fall color. I think lindens would probably make the best choice though as street trees. They have a pretty shape, they have wonderfully fragrant blossoms, and they color a nice yellow in the fall. Both the American (large-leaved) and European (small-leaved) lindens would be work fine as street trees. You didn't mention other maple species, but red maple and sugar maple would both do well in Wallace, and I think are more attractive than Norway maples, especially in fall. "James McMillan" wrote in message ... I have a house which faces South, in full sun, and I would like to plant a couple of street trees in the boulevard strip, between the sidewalk and street, for some much-needed shade. I have narrowed it down to several species, and I was wondering which would be the best choice: Norway Maple: Pros: Free (I have some in pots I have dug out of the flower beds last summer), Fast growing Good fall colour Cons: Excessive surface roots Seedlings take up flower beds, and neglected areas Prone to aphids, which drop honeydew English Oak: Pros: Unique Long-Lived Cons: Slow growing (this is a major drawback to most oaks). Catalpa: Pros: Nice flowers Fast Growing There are already 2 across the street and up the block (step toward uniformity) Cons: Drops seed pods Irregular shape not necessarily best for street trees Sycamore / Planetree: Pros: Decorative Bark Fast growing Cons: I'm not all that familiar with this species, so I would like to know some of its downsides. Basswood/Linden: Pros: Nice form Family history (my Great-Grandparents planted a pair on their farm in Wisconsin in 1901, which, to my knowledge, are still standing). Cons: Again, I'm not really that sure, so I would like know, before making a decision. Elm, actually, would be ideal, but I'm not really willing to pay $50 per tree for disease resistant cultivars, and the non-resistant varieties are not readily available. A little about the neighbourhood: It is located in Wallace, Idaho, which is in the cold end of Zone 6 / Warm end of Zone 5. Most of the houses are rather modest, located on standard city lots, and were built in the early 1900's (my particular house is 1 and 1/2 storeys, built in 1910). I recently found a book in my library from 1911, called "Shade Trees for Cities" (or something to that effect), and all of the trees above are listed, though the authors seem to favour Red Oak, Pin Oak, and Norway Maple. I would like to plant something that would've been available during that period (i.e, not a new cultivar or import that was introduced in the 1950's). I heard that, years ago, Cottonwoods were used as street trees, but, I think we are all agreed that these would be poor choices (apparently, the one's that were there have been gone for many years). We have asked about any ordinances dealing with planting in the tree lawn, and the City's response was: "it's your property, plant whatever you want", so, anything goes (which makes for an interesting drive around town, but that's another story). Also, some additional questions: There is a street light directly in front of the house. I was thinking of planting one of trees about 6 feet away from it (extension of front path to curb is about 10 feet one side, and the tree-hating neighbour's lot is the same distance on the other. How close can I safely plant to this? The water service is also located on the tree lawn. Would there be any danger of damage from roots, or would the pressurized water protect it from damage? Sorry for the long post, but, since trees are a long-term investment, I would like to do this right. James McMillan |
#3
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Street Tree Suggestion
I would recommend European linden, sycamore, honey locust, or non-fruiting
sweetgum. Never mind what they would have planted when. Now we know better. Most of the others would make a mess in the fall or rip up the sidewalk. Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming train." Robert Lowell (1917-1977) |
#4
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Street Tree Suggestion
Have you considered a zelkova? It has that great vase-like elm shape. I've
got one I'm very pleased with. It's attractive, has nice fall color, the leaves are small and easy to rake, and has not had any problems with disease or pests. It breezed through the drought last summer. Check it out! Sue "James McMillan" wrote in message ... I have a house which faces South, in full sun, and I would like to plant a couple of street trees in the boulevard strip, between the sidewalk and street, for some much-needed shade. I have narrowed it down to several species, and I was wondering which would be the best choice: |
#5
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Street Tree Suggestion
Have you considered a zelkova?
I believe Zelkova is susceptible to Dutch elm disease. Also, it is not quite hardy in the area under discussion. Chinese elm would be a better choice. Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming train." Robert Lowell (1917-1977) |
#6
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Street Tree Suggestion
Iris Cohen wrote: I would recommend European linden, sycamore, honey locust, or non-fruiting sweetgum. Never mind what they would have planted when. Now we know better. Most of the others would make a mess in the fall or rip up the sidewalk. Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 If by non-fruiting sweetgum, you mean Liquidambar, this tree is notorious for developing a lot of surface roots which will definitely heave sidewalks in a matter of just a few years. For this reason, it is no longer recommended as a street tree in this area. |
#7
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Street Tree Suggestion
Chinese Elm does not grow into an attractive tree in our area,
unfortunately. Most people have given up on it. I should have mentioned to James to drive over to Spokane to the Park Department Arboretum, off of the Sunset Highway on the far western side of Spokane.. Several of the streets surrounding the arboretum have been given over to a street tree project. All the trees are labelled with good signage and some cultivation hints.I think they have about 75 varieties of street trees lining the roads. That would be a very good place to check out the performance of street trees in our climate and moisture conditions.I forgot to mention that some of the hybrid ash trees could make good street trees - they have very straight trunks, and some have a pleasant pale bark color. If you can find one that doesn't seed....... "Iris Cohen" wrote in message ... Have you considered a zelkova? I believe Zelkova is susceptible to Dutch elm disease. Also, it is not quite hardy in the area under discussion. Chinese elm would be a better choice. Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming train." Robert Lowell (1917-1977) |
#8
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Street Tree Suggestion
Are there pictures available of this project? Want to take any and post
them? "gregpresley" wrote in message ... Chinese Elm does not grow into an attractive tree in our area, unfortunately. Most people have given up on it. I should have mentioned to James to drive over to Spokane to the Park Department Arboretum, off of the Sunset Highway on the far western side of Spokane.. Several of the streets surrounding the arboretum have been given over to a street tree project. All the trees are labelled with good signage and some cultivation hints.I think they have about 75 varieties of street trees lining the roads. That would be a very good place to check out the performance of street trees in our climate and moisture conditions.I forgot to mention that some of the hybrid ash trees could make good street trees - they have very straight trunks, and some have a pleasant pale bark color. If you can find one that doesn't seed....... "Iris Cohen" wrote in message ... Have you considered a zelkova? I believe Zelkova is susceptible to Dutch elm disease. Also, it is not quite hardy in the area under discussion. Chinese elm would be a better choice. Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming train." Robert Lowell (1917-1977) |
#9
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Street Tree Suggestion
'Twas you, Greg. And thanks!
"gregpresley" wrote in message ... Hi Betsy, I will look on the internet to see if there is a link with any info about the spokane arboretum. I don't own a digital, so I can't help out there at the moment anyway (Christmas is coming, but it's a long way away...LOL) P.S. I'm not sure whether you were talking to me or to James in your post, so I'm pretending it was me. "Betsy" -0 wrote in message ... Are there pictures available of this project? Want to take any and post them? "gregpresley" wrote in message ... Chinese Elm does not grow into an attractive tree in our area, unfortunately. Most people have given up on it. I should have mentioned to James to drive over to Spokane to the Park Department Arboretum, off of the Sunset Highway on the far western side of Spokane.. Several of the streets surrounding the arboretum have been given over to a street tree project. All the trees are labelled with good signage and some cultivation hints.I think they have about 75 varieties of street trees lining the roads. That would be a very good place to check out the performance of street trees in our climate and moisture conditions.I forgot to mention that some of the hybrid ash trees could make good street trees - they have very straight trunks, and some have a pleasant pale bark color. If you can find one that doesn't seed....... "Iris Cohen" wrote in message ... Have you considered a zelkova? I believe Zelkova is susceptible to Dutch elm disease. Also, it is not quite hardy in the area under discussion. Chinese elm would be a better choice. Iris, Central NY, Zone 5a, Sunset Zone 40 "If we see light at the end of the tunnel, It's the light of the oncoming train." Robert Lowell (1917-1977) |
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