Well it looks like the weeping willow will not be a good choice for my are.
Thanks for the input.

Since I'm in the hill country with little top soil & a limestone base. What
will be a good tree(s) for shade?

Thanks!
Dave

Obviously, you're not interested in any of the majority trees that grow
natively in the hill country.
I've had good luck with a couple varieties of pecan trees (a minority group
that does grow wild near water runoff sources). They don't do much the
first year, so don't expect much immediately. You're going to have to find
a "soft spot" to plant. Or, you can make your own with rock bar and some
sweat. You may have to try more than one location as the rocks may be too
big or thick. Once planted, just drip water them from a garden hose every
couple of weeks if no rain. A tree spike fertilizer will help stimulate
root growth. Make sure the drip hose is wetting it. Rotate watering near
the trunk, then to near the spike.

On the bad side: Around the 10 year mark, the pecan may begin bulging its
surface runners slightly above the ground. Gets worse as the tree further
matures. You have to love raking leaves in autumn. A couple of types of
webworms/caterpillars love eating these tree's leaves.
On the good side: Very good canopy, cool temps compared to most other trees
that normally will grow in these region. Another tree suggestion is an elm,
same guidelines, doesn't seem as susceptible to webworms, but canopy not
quite as shady as pecan, but very near it.
All of the above is my opinion, subject to my observations and experiences.
Not someone elses.
--
Jonny
"Zzyzx" wrote in message
...
Well it looks like the weeping willow will not be a good choice for my
are.
Thanks for the input.

Since I'm in the hill country with little top soil & a limestone base.
What
will be a good tree(s) for shade?

Thanks!
Dave

Zzyzx wrote:

Well it looks like the weeping willow will not be a good choice for my are.
Thanks for the input.

Since I'm in the hill country with little top soil & a limestone base. What
will be a good tree(s) for shade?

Thanks!
Dave

===
Due to the poor conditions of the soil in and around the central TX area, my
wife and I decided to go with native trees and others that have adapted well to
the area. My advice would be to take a walk around your neighborhood to see
what has been planted and what has been growing there forever. Another good
source is to visit a couple of "good" garden centers - Gardenville - (not the
big boxes - Home Depot/Lowes) and consult with their tree people, or visit some
of the tree sellers - Ed's Trees. If you go to the big boxes, they have free
information that can start you on the way. Note: I am not affiliated, related
or employed by any of the companies I mentioned, I am or was a simple customer.

In a nutshell, research - reseARCH - RESEARCH.

Good luck,

Ray
South Austin
===

"Ray S. & Nayda Katzaman" wrote in message
...


Zzyzx wrote:

Well it looks like the weeping willow will not be a good choice for my
are.
Thanks for the input.

Since I'm in the hill country with little top soil & a limestone base.
What
will be a good tree(s) for shade?

Thanks!
Dave

===
Due to the poor conditions of the soil in and around the central TX area,
my
wife and I decided to go with native trees and others that have adapted
well to
the area. My advice would be to take a walk around your neighborhood to
see
what has been planted and what has been growing there forever. Another
good
source is to visit a couple of "good" garden centers - Gardenville - (not
the
big boxes - Home Depot/Lowes) and consult with their tree people, or visit
some
of the tree sellers - Ed's Trees. If you go to the big boxes, they have
free
information that can start you on the way. Note: I am not affiliated,
related
or employed by any of the companies I mentioned, I am or was a simple
customer.

In a nutshell, research - reseARCH - RESEARCH.

Good luck,

Ray
South Austin
===


Thanks for the tips. We have a lot of live oaks in my area. I like those,
just want to mix it up a bit. Maybe a oak or 2

Zzyzx wrote:

Well it looks like the weeping willow will not be a good choice for my are.
Thanks for the input.

Since I'm in the hill country with little top soil & a limestone base. What
will be a good tree(s) for shade?

Thanks!
Dave

Dave,
Me again.

Here are some suggestions to assist with selecting adequate trees for your
home.
If you own the home, get the plot plan - the one that shows the lot and the
envelope of the house. If you rent, ask the owner to get you a copy. Then,
mark where the existing trees, flower beds, etc. are and blow up the plot plan
to a manageable size.
Lay out where you want the trees planted and the flower beds placed (more).

There are a couple of books that my wife and I have used for preparing the
landscaping for the homes we have owned in Austin, and in Virginia.

Books
1. Home Landscaping Texas, by Greg Grant and Roger Holmes, published by
Creative Homeowner (www.creativehomeowners.com), will set you back about $20.00

2. Neil Sperry's Complete Guide to Texas Gardening, by Neil Sperry, published
by Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas. Big book, will cost about $35 to $40.
We have the 1991 edition and it cost $35.95.

Pamphlet
Native and Adapted Landscape Plants - an earthwise guide for Central Texas,
published by the Texas Cooperative Extension, Austin, TX. This is a free
publication that can be obtained at The Home Depot outside garden department -
actually, we got ours at the checkout register at the Brodie Lane HD.

Once you have laid out what you want and where, visit some of the more
prestigious garden centers (Gardenville comes to mind) and consult with their
employees as to how well you did, they will give you recommendations of other
plants and the like. The city of Austin has several garden shows either at
Zilker Park or the Convention Center, check the paper/TV to see when these are
going to be held and visit them. Talk with the vendors and get their
opinions. Some of them may even visit your house to see what there is to work
with, if you ask them.

Again, good luck with your tree planting and gardening,

Ray
South Austin
===

Cedar Elm, Live Oak, Sierra Oak, Bur Oak.


"Zzyzx" wrote in message
...
Well it looks like the weeping willow will not be a good choice for my
are.
Thanks for the input.

Since I'm in the hill country with little top soil & a limestone base.
What
will be a good tree(s) for shade?

Thanks!
Dave

Cedar elm is native, but not the most exciting shade tree. I planted
a Chinese pistache 5 years ago as a sapling and it's 15 feet now.
Ginkgo biloba is a beautiful shade tree and is the only tree to
survive on the earth since the Jurasic period.


On Thu, 08 Jun 2006 03:54:50 GMT, "Latosha Washington"
wrote:

Cedar Elm, Live Oak, Sierra Oak, Bur Oak.


"Zzyzx" wrote in message
.. .
Well it looks like the weeping willow will not be a good choice for my
are.
Thanks for the input.

Since I'm in the hill country with little top soil & a limestone base.
What
will be a good tree(s) for shade?

Thanks!
Dave

"Ray S. & Nayda Katzaman" wrote in message ...

Zzyzx wrote:

Well it looks like the weeping willow will not be a good choice for my are.
Thanks for the input.
Since I'm in the hill country with little top soil & a limestone base. What
will be a good tree(s) for shade?

Thanks!
Dave

Dave,
Me again.
Here are some suggestions to assist with selecting adequate trees for your home.
If you own the home, get the plot plan - the one that shows the lot and the envelope of the house. If you rent, ask the owner to get you a copy. Then, mark where the existing trees, flower beds, etc. are and blow up the plot plan to a manageable size.
Lay out where you want the trees planted and the flower beds placed (more).

There are a couple of books that my wife and I have used for preparing the landscaping for the homes we have owned in Austin, and in Virginia.

Books
1. Home Landscaping Texas, by Greg Grant and Roger Holmes, published by Creative Homeowner (www.creativehomeowners.com), will set you back about $20.00
2. Neil Sperry's Complete Guide to Texas Gardening, by Neil Sperry, published by Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas. Big book, will cost about $35 to $40. We have the 1991 edition and it cost $35.95.

Pamphlet
Native and Adapted Landscape Plants - an earthwise guide for Central Texas, published by the Texas Cooperative Extension, Austin, TX. This is a free publication that can be obtained at The Home Depot outside garden department - actually, we got ours at the checkout register at the Brodie Lane HD.

Once you have laid out what you want and where, visit some of the more prestigious garden centers (Gardenville comes to mind) and consult with their employees as to how well you did, they will give you recommendations of other plants and the like. The city of Austin has several garden shows either at Zilker Park or the Convention Center, check the paper/TV to see when these are going to be held and visit them. Talk with the vendors and get their opinions. Some of them may even visit your house to see what there is to work with, if you ask them.

Again, good luck with your tree planting and gardening,

Ray
South Austin
===

Thanks again for all the valuable information you have provided. I'll look into those books as well as take a look around town for additional ideas. Funny you should mention blowing up the plot plan, I just did that yesterday to start planning all the landscaping.

Thank You,
Dave

Try this weblink:
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/ornamentals/natives/

On Thu, 08 Jun 2006 12:57:22 GMT, Jangchub wrote:

Cedar elm is native, but not the most exciting shade tree. I planted
a Chinese pistache 5 years ago as a sapling and it's 15 feet now.
[snip]
After years on the "preferred" list, pistache has been added to a "Do
not plant" list in Austin because it is invasive. It also tends
toward tight crotches that may break as the tree gets larger. It has
good points, but I lean towards "avoid it."

K

Jangchub wrote:
Cedar elm is native, but not the most exciting shade tree. I planted
a Chinese pistache 5 years ago as a sapling and it's 15 feet now.
Ginkgo biloba is a beautiful shade tree and is the only tree to
survive on the earth since the Jurasic period.

The trees are long lived individually as well, when I went to Japan a
couple of years ago I saw a 1000 year old ginkgo at a big shrine in
Kamakura.
http://www.pbase.com/tomokon/image/27397885




On Thu, 08 Jun 2006 03:54:50 GMT, "Latosha Washington"
wrote:


Cedar Elm, Live Oak, Sierra Oak, Bur Oak.


"Zzyzx" wrote in message
. ..

Well it looks like the weeping willow will not be a good choice for my
are.
Thanks for the input.

Since I'm in the hill country with little top soil & a limestone base.
What
will be a good tree(s) for shade?

Thanks!
Dave

jOhN wrote:
The trees are long lived individually as well, when I went to Japan a
couple of years ago I saw a 1000 year old ginkgo at a big shrine in
Kamakura.
http://www.pbase.com/tomokon/image/27397885

Yup, pretty impressive tree. It's even prettier in its fall garb.

--
Victor M. Martinez
Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM)
Send your spam he
Email me he

On Thu, 08 Jun 2006 18:15:17 -0500, Treedweller
wrote:

On Thu, 08 Jun 2006 12:57:22 GMT, Jangchub wrote:

Cedar elm is native, but not the most exciting shade tree. I planted
a Chinese pistache 5 years ago as a sapling and it's 15 feet now.
[snip]
After years on the "preferred" list, pistache has been added to a "Do
not plant" list in Austin because it is invasive. It also tends
toward tight crotches that may break as the tree gets larger. It has
good points, but I lean towards "avoid it."

K

Whose "preferred" list has it been removed from? How are they
invasive? Just asking.

"Victor Martinez" wrote in message
...
jOhN wrote:
The trees are long lived individually as well, when I went to Japan a
couple of years ago I saw a 1000 year old ginkgo at a big shrine in
Kamakura.
http://www.pbase.com/tomokon/image/27397885

Yup, pretty impressive tree. It's even prettier in its fall garb.

I'd suggest that anyone who plants more than one ginko tree, make sure
they're of the same sex. I used to walk past a female ginko on the U of
Illinois campus and thought the "aroma" of the fallen fruit was the smell of
campus-dog poop.

David

In article ,
Jangchub wrote:

On Thu, 08 Jun 2006 18:15:17 -0500, Treedweller
wrote:

After years on the "preferred" list, pistache has been added to a "Do
not plant" list in Austin because it is invasive. It also tends
toward tight crotches that may break as the tree gets larger. It has
good points, but I lean towards "avoid it."

K

Whose "preferred" list has it been removed from? How are they
invasive? Just asking.


The City of Austin Grow Green "Native and Adapted Landscape Plants". It
is now on their invasive plant list (at least in the Jan 2005 edition).

I am actually ****ed about it because in their previous editions it was
on their recommended list. I actually planted two.

Keith's comment on weak crotches etc. is even more alarming - I planted
these to replace Hackberries I had to remove. I wanted to plant
something that was relatively trouble free for the next owner. I was
actually somewhat suspicious about Chinese Pistache because it is
frequently referred to as "self-pruning" which I presume is a code word
for weak wood. The pluses are it is fast growing and fall color is
spectacular.


Roland