Looking for Shade Tree with Specific Attributes

16 years ago

I live on a fairly small lot (60'x100') with a single-story house in Orange County, CA (USDA Zone 9b/10a, Sunset magazine Zone 22) with power lines running along the street curb (limited horizontal and vertical space). I'd like to plant a deciduous shade tree in the front lawn (20' square) to reduce summer heat and maximize winter sun in the house. I like the look of Maples or Ash, but much of what I've read says they're not especially coloful in our climate and they have shallow, sometimes invasive roots (bad for lawn area, sewer line). Also considering a flowering cherry and maybe one of the Redbuds or Hong Kong Orchid tree. I've tried two on-line tree selection databases without much success (none of their recommendations has ALL the necessary attributes).

I need a shade tree with the following attributes:

1) flourishes in USDA Zone 9b/10a (Sunset Zone 22, close to Zone 23)

2) Mature tree NO TALLER THAN 40', but more than 10-15'

3) Mature tree NO WIDER THAN 25'

4) Prefer rounded/spreading crown, if possible

5) Medium-density crown (so lawn can grow underneath)

6) Minimal pruning requirement for strong, single-trunk structure (Santa Ana winds can break weak trees in a heartbeat)

7) No/minimal shallow or invasive roots

8) Happy in clay, mildly alkaline soil (with organic amendments)

9) Preferably drought-tolerant

Not adversely affected by air pollution (near freeway)
Minimal fruit/seed litter issue (fall leaves are a different matter)

12)Strong spring/summer (blossom) AND/OR fall (foliage) color, preferably green foliage in summer.

Does such a tree exist? Any close almosts?

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Comments (7)

lucy
16 years ago
Well, I'd say a Bloodgood Japanese maple (the bright red kind), as they're almost the only ones that can stand direct sun, but they do have shallow roots. They do better in sandy soil vs clay as do most trees, and amendments just don't work for any tree, but if your soil isn't 100% heavy clay you may get away with one (plus they don't need as much acid as e.g. pines.
quercus_macrocarpa
16 years ago
Gambel Oak (Quercus gambelli).
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Jeannie, you might be surprised to know that there are a number of excellent specialty Japanese maple nurseries located in California and that there are many regular posters to this forum living in that area that grow them. Japanese maples grow well in much of California and they are widely available at many better retail nurseries and garden centers. As to them being a "deciduous tree that cant possibly survive growing such limited height as 3- 5 feet", that's nonsense and simply indicates your lack of knowledge about these plants. There are many dwarf forms and those dissectums with very low grafts that will simply never grow much taller than what the OP wants. And have you never heard of bonsai? Container culture as a whole has dwarfing ability on most plants so generally growth is much slower and many cultivars of Japanese maples make ideal long-term container plants. John, as you probably realize, JM's are rather common in SoCal but do indeed fair better when they are within the milder coastal area. A shaded position for any variety is preferred. And bboy is correct about the quality of the irrigation water - you will need to make allowances for this and hopefully a better local nursery will give you some tips. If you can do the drive, Rogers Gardens in Newport is having a Japanese Maple seminar on March 28th. If you've not visited before, Rogers Gardens is one of the pre-eminent retail garden centers in the country and they will have a great selection of J. maples for you to chose from as well as very helpful advice on growing them in your area. There are number of red laceleafs - some of the most common cultivars with low grafts - that would work for you height-wise. But many will get much wider than tall, so spread should be a consideration in the choice as well. Here is a link that might be useful: Rogers Gardens spring seminar list
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
16 years ago
Most folks don't consider crape myrtles shade trees but they would definitely work in your situation. They grow robustly in SoCal, will produce a rounded canopy, won't exceed your size requirements, offer summer flowers, interesting bark effects, tolerant of urban pollution, drought (once established), a variety of soil conditions and heat. And they don't offer many of the drawbacks some of the more common shade trees pose - surface rooting, excessive debris, insect or disease problems, too large a size for a small suburban garden, or invasive or fire potential.

My sister has slowly been reducing the excessive number of liquidambars that were planted in her pretty tiny coastal OC townhome garden. Why the original owner thought 13 of these monsters was an appropriate planting for this minute garden is anybody's guess. It is impossible to plant anything else due to the root systems that have spread throughout the garden and they don't even get much in the way of fall color.
scotjute Z8
16 years ago
Mexican Plum comes to mind. Drought tolerant, clay-alkaline soil tolerant, typ. size range 15-25', medium/small leaves that have orange/yellow fall color, very good spring flowers, They do produce small fruit however, but not too messy. A hardy small tree.
An Eastern Red Cedar would fit all of your criteria but for the deciduous part.
alabamatreehugger 8b SW Alabama
16 years ago
What about a Jacaranda?

Here is a link that might be useful: Blue Jacaranda
quirkyquercus
16 years ago
Avoid hong kong orchid tree in windy situations.
treelover3
16 years ago
Just remember that no tree ever STOPS growing. As trees near maturity, their growth slows down, but never stops completely. Your maximum height will need to be slightly flexible.
Good luck,
Mike

Looking for Shade Tree with Specific Attributes

Comments (7)

lucy

quercus_macrocarpa

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