In our backyard, we have (I believe) a large willow tree. A couple days ago, half of the
tree broke off and is laying in the yard. Take a look...

http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree06.jpg
http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree09.jpg
http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree10.jpg


Been doing some research on the net and I see that the previous owners made a big mistake
in planting a willow this close to the house. It's about 5-6 feet away from the patio and
maybe 20 feet away from the house. This is much too large of a tree to plant in such a
small yard and the wide-reaching, shallow roots would have eventually caused problems with
the patio and possibly the foundation. Someone is coming this morning to give me an
estimate on its removal.

My guess is that it's been cracked for a while based on the weathering near the top of the
break and either wind or weight finally took over.

A few questions...

What kind of tree is this? Here is a better look at the branches (where it took out a
planter). http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree07.jpg It's about 30-40ft tall and grows
extremely fast.

What should I replace it with? I'd like to have a tree that will provide decent shade and
not grow too large. We have a small suburban backyard and the tree would be planted in a
sprinklered lawn. We live in northen California, about 40 miles ENE of San Fran. Very
little rain between May-Sept with temps in the mid 70s-80s, couple inches of rain/month
between Nov-April with temps in the mid 50s-60s.



---
Life, Liberty, Etc.
www.lifelibertyetc.com

Pete Nelson wrote:

In our backyard, we have (I believe) a large willow tree. A couple days ago, half of the
tree broke off and is laying in the yard. Take a look...

http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree06.jpg
http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree09.jpg
http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree10.jpg

Been doing some research on the net and I see that the previous owners made a big mistake
in planting a willow this close to the house. It's about 5-6 feet away from the patio and
maybe 20 feet away from the house. This is much too large of a tree to plant in such a
small yard and the wide-reaching, shallow roots would have eventually caused problems with
the patio and possibly the foundation. Someone is coming this morning to give me an
estimate on its removal.

My guess is that it's been cracked for a while based on the weathering near the top of the
break and either wind or weight finally took over.

A few questions...

What kind of tree is this? Here is a better look at the branches (where it took out a
planter). http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree07.jpg It's about 30-40ft tall and grows
extremely fast.

What should I replace it with? I'd like to have a tree that will provide decent shade and
not grow too large. We have a small suburban backyard and the tree would be planted in a
sprinklered lawn. We live in northen California, about 40 miles ENE of San Fran. Very
little rain between May-Sept with temps in the mid 70s-80s, couple inches of rain/month
between Nov-April with temps in the mid 50s-60s.

It is definitely a willow, most likely some form of Salix alba or babylonica. As you note, not
a good choice for a small urban garden - grows too big too fast and with a very aggressive
root system, particularly where water sources (water mains, irrigation systems, plumbing) is
concerned. Also prone to a lot of disease and insect problems and wind damage.

For your climate, a good alternative would be some form of Japanese maple - relatively small,
compact trees, provide nice, dappled shade and offer some wonderful foliage color. Not an
aggressive root system like many other maples species. Other choices would be a smaller
magnolia (deciduous or evergreen), a Western redbud, fern pine (Podocarpus), Japanese snowbell
or pretty much any dwarf or semi-dwarf fruit tree, including the ornamental (non-fruiting)
ones.

One thing about smaller trees - they tend to grow more slowly than those that put on
considerable height. It may take some time for an affordable small tree to develop significant
size and provide adequate shade. You can always locate and purchase larger, specimen-sized
trees, but be prepared to pay a premium for them - you are paying for the time and trouble the
grower invested to get the tree to that size.

pam - gardengal

A long time ago we had a neighbor with a willow that covered his
entire backyard. From a distance it looked good, but the huge surface
roots made the ground unusable for most activity. He also had sewer
problems from the roots.

Drought conditions may limit your choices. But, willows prefer moist
soil conditions. You may want to test the pH of your soil--most
trees prefer slightly acid soils, others alkaline. Selecting a tree
is personal choice--I like ginko trees, in time they can get tall and
have a striking yellow leaf color in fall.

I haven't checked to see how they do in your climate, but you might want to
consider one of the thornless varieties of honeylocust (glyditsia or
something like that). They throw a light dappled shade, have a pretty
texture and leaf color, and the leaves are very small, so they don't make
big piles of messy looking stuff when they drop in the fall. They're planted
in my climate, which is also a dry summer climate, and seem to do fine,
although I'd think they'd need a fair amount of irrigation the first 2 or 3
years until well-established. Although they might get taller than you were
thinking, they grow slowly here, and have the more delicate structure of
smaller trees.
"Pete Nelson" wrote in message
...
In our backyard, we have (I believe) a large willow tree. A couple days
ago, half of the
tree broke off and is laying in the yard. Take a look...

http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree06.jpg
http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree09.jpg
http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree10.jpg


Been doing some research on the net and I see that the previous owners
made a big mistake
in planting a willow this close to the house. It's about 5-6 feet away
from the patio and
maybe 20 feet away from the house. This is much too large of a tree to
plant in such a
small yard and the wide-reaching, shallow roots would have eventually
caused problems with
the patio and possibly the foundation. Someone is coming this morning to
give me an
estimate on its removal.

My guess is that it's been cracked for a while based on the weathering
near the top of the
break and either wind or weight finally took over.

A few questions...

What kind of tree is this? Here is a better look at the branches (where
it took out a
planter). http://www.petenelson.com/temp/tree07.jpg It's about 30-40ft
tall and grows
extremely fast.

What should I replace it with? I'd like to have a tree that will provide
decent shade and
not grow too large. We have a small suburban backyard and the tree would
be planted in a
sprinklered lawn. We live in northen California, about 40 miles ENE of
San Fran. Very
little rain between May-Sept with temps in the mid 70s-80s, couple inches
of rain/month
between Nov-April with temps in the mid 50s-60s.



---
Life, Liberty, Etc.
www.lifelibertyetc.com

On Wed, 10 Sep 2003 18:21:22 GMT, Pam wrote:

Pete Nelson wrote:


What should I replace it with? I'd like to have a tree that will provide decent shade and
not grow too large. We have a small suburban backyard and the tree would be planted in a
sprinklered lawn. We live in northen California, about 40 miles ENE of San Fran. Very
little rain between May-Sept with temps in the mid 70s-80s, couple inches of rain/month
between Nov-April with temps in the mid 50s-60s.

snip

One thing about smaller trees - they tend to grow more slowly than those that put on
considerable height. It may take some time for an affordable small tree to develop significant
size and provide adequate shade. You can always locate and purchase larger, specimen-sized
trees, but be prepared to pay a premium for them - you are paying for the time and trouble the
grower invested to get the tree to that size.

And yet time passes so quickly. My neighbor bought a slender twig of a
pecan tree perhaps 5' tall just a few (well, 5-6) years ago. It's now
20' tall and casting a good amount of dappled shade. As you say, in
the (nursery) plant world, time IS money.

Pete Nelson wrote:

In our backyard, we have (I believe) a large willow tree. A couple days ago, half of the
tree broke off and is laying in the yard. Take a look...
...snip...

Just wanted to say thanks for all the excellent input!


---
Life, Liberty, Etc.
www.lifelibertyetc.com

The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,
O willow , willow, willow;
With her hand on her bosom and her head upon her knee,
O willow, willow, willow,
O willow, willow, willow,
Sing all a green willow
Shall be my garland.

"Othello"
zemedelec

"Zemedelec" wrote in message
...
The poor soul sat sighing by a sycamore tree,
O willow , willow, willow;
With her hand on her bosom and her head upon her knee,
O willow, willow, willow,
O willow, willow, willow,
Sing all a green willow
Shall be my garland.

"Othello"
zemedelec

As long as we're doing a "willow" thang...G

ARTIST: Gilbert and Sullivan
TITLE: Tit-Willow


[From Mikado]

On a tree by a river a little tom-tit
Sang "Willow, titwillow, titwillow"
And I said to him, "Dicky-bird, why do you sit
Singing 'Willow, titwillow, titwillow'"
"Is it weakness of intellect, birdie?" I cried
"Or a rather tough worm in your little inside"
With a shake of his poor little head, he replied
"Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow!"

He slapped at his chest, as he sat on that bough
Singing "Willow, titwillow, titwillow"
And a cold perspiration bespangled his brow
Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow
He sobbed and he sighed, and a gurgle he gave
Then he plunged himself into the billowy wave
And an echo arose from the suicide's grave
"Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow"

Now I feel just as sure as I'm sure that my name
Isn't Willow, titwillow, titwillow
That 'twas blighted affection that made him exclaim
"Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow"
And if you remain callous and obdurate, I
Shall perish as he did, and you will know why
Though I probably shall not exclaim as I die
"Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow"

John

"Is it weakness of intellect, birdie?" I cried
"Or a rather tough worm in your little inside"
With a shake of his poor little head, he replied
"Oh, willow, titwillow, titwillow!"


ROTFL. I remembered a few lines of this song, but not where it came from. I
mean, since we're being British, from whence it came.

zemedelec