Columnar trees

16 years ago

I'm looking for some columnar trees to plant among my conifers. The only one I have in mind right now is Betula utilis jacquemontii. I also like the Alnus species, but I don't know how big they will get.

Another thing to keep in mind is that they will be planted in z7b in New Mexico, with hot/dry early summers (up to 100F).

Any suggestions will be of great help.

osprey

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Comments (12)

Embothrium
16 years ago
Neither is columnar or particularly drought-tolerant. Both also grow quite large under suitable conditions, except for shrubby species of alders.

Conifer specialists with grafting operations also seem to have a tendency to get into named, grafted forms of European beech. There are multiple columnar cultivars of these. Not small, but slow. Check local suitability (I'd look in Sunset WESTERN GARDEN BOOK for starters). Native to moist climates but widely planted.
Dibbit
16 years ago
There is a columnar form of ginkgo - Princeton Sentry - 'not sure how narrow it stays. I saw last month a VERY narrow form of Sweetgum, but don't now remember the name. There is a fastigate form of tulip poplar, sorry but I never knew the name. There is a fastigate, weeping form of redbud 'Covey', I believe. There are fastigate apple and crabapple trees. There are many fastigate forms of conifers, ranging from pines to spruces, as well as the smaller forms of cedar, cypress, and junipers, not to mention Irish yews - since you want deciduous, what about a fastigate larch or bald cypress - I believe there is one of each?

Although the link is to a Seattle public garden, the list of trees might be useful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fastigate trees
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quercus_macrocarpa
16 years ago
Quercus robur v. fastigata Â Fastigate English Oak
pineresin
16 years ago
Hi Osprey,

The two widely used in similar climates in southwestern Asia are Cupressus sempervirens 'Stricta' and Populus nigra 'Afghanica' (syn. P. 'Thevestina'). The latter is usually planted beside streams.

Resin
lucky_p
16 years ago
I've seen columnar selections of Sargent oak - a hybrid of fastigiate English oak(Q.robur) and chestnut oak(Q.prinus/montana). I'm not a huge fan of columnars, but these were reasonably pleasing in appearance, with much cleaner foliage than the typical fastigiate Q.robur here, which tend to be powdery mildew magnets - but your climate is likely quite different from the hot humid Southeast.
ospreynn
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone!,
Bboy, which is a small species of Alnus. I've seen a couple growing around here, but I've no idea which species are they. They are quite young. I like the Betula trunk color!
Dibbit, I'll see if I can find the narrow form of Sweetgum, seems interesting
Quercus, Resin and Lucky, thanks. I'm not a fan of Populus nigra, I prefer Populus alba, which grows very well around here. I'mnot sure if English oak will grow here.
By the way, I meant to say small trees, that are quite narrow, not strictly a columnar cultivar. Trees with unique bark, leave color, structure...but that remain quite small compared to Quercus shumardii, Populus fremontii, etc. I was also thinking in Liriodendron chinense and Aesculus californica.
Any more suggestions

osprey
ospreynn
Original Author
16 years ago
What about Prunus serrula?? Regular cherry trees (unknown species) thrive here.

osprey
Dibbit
16 years ago
I saw the Sweetgum at Hatcher Gardens, a public, 10 acre garden in Spartanburg, SC, newly planted by the road in front, and probably 12-15' tall. They had 3, VERY narrow, maybe 3-4'. I think Hatcher has a web site, and probably a contact number, which I am sorry to say I don't have off-hand. Hope this helps you.
quercus_macrocarpa
16 years ago
How about Gambel Oak? It's native to your region.
Embothrium
16 years ago
Maybe try this one (click "Previous" or "Next" at bottom of page to see other tree introductions from same program).

Here is a link that might be useful: Prairie Horizon
aklinda
16 years ago
I have 2 of the columnar English Oaks that I planted 2 years ago. They seem to be be doing well - I am in Bosque Farms which is supposed to be 7b. I got them at Trees that Please. They have a good selection of trees well suited for this area. They have about a 15 - 20 foot tree growing there and it has stayed pretty narrow - I would estimate 3 feet in width. The ones I planted were about 3 feet tall when planted and are abuot 5 feet now and about a foot wide. They are just now budding. I do supplemental watering - once a month during the winter if there's no precipitation and when needed during the growing season.
ospreynn
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone. I think I may order a columnar English oak next time, but for now I ordered a cherry tree. I really love its bark color. I'm not sure if it will thrive here.
I also added a Betula nigra, which isn't very small. I think I have a perfect spot for it.
My third selection is Betula utilis jacquemontii, which is smaller that Betula nigra.
Any suggestions or comments!.Thanks

osprey