Katsura wants a lot of water, it is best placed beside a pond or stream. It can handle dryer conditions to, but not drought.

That Seven son tree (Heptacodium miconioides) is totally new to me and quite interesting

I had to do some reading on the seven son tree.

Late flowers, exfoliating bark, more of a big shrubby thing is what I take from it. The late flowers and extended show are probably reasons enough for purchase lol.

The katsura is more of a proven tree I guess. They do have good fall color.

Little acorn, have you seen decent pics of the seven son tree? Acer griseum, paperbark maple and one of the serviceberries would be on my list for the seven son spot. Then again I do not think I have seen seven son in flower and like the idea of that late bract show.

Here is a link that might be useful: seven son tree-ette

Katsura grows quite big* where happy and yes, Heptacodium is a big bush somewhat like an elder in structure but not as trashy in character. Has been presented as an alternative to panicle hydrangea but is not as showy in flower. It does produce ~colorful fruits after a hot summer. Perhaps its most impressive feature is actually the leaves.

*82' Philadelphia, PA (1988); 81' Ft. Wayne, IN (1985); 80' Wethersfield, CT (1987); 70' Amherst, MA (1983)

This post was edited by bboy on Fri, May 17, 13 at 19:06

Can one make it into a tree form?

Would it look nice as a tree?

An does it have a single trunk?

I am talking about the Seven Sons.

Does birds like this tree?

You see I am a very big bird lover and try to bring in as many types of birds as I can by using trees.

ken, some birds use the peeling bark to line their nest, but I have never noticed any other use the birds have for the tree. The recurved petals after bloom don't color up consistently for me. Some do, but about 1/2 don't. The canker disfigures the trunks. The one big plus is the number of pollinators they attract. The one here is ok, but just ok. I would not plant another. There are other better trees to take its place.

With that said Dzitmoidonc 6 which tree would you prefer over the Seven Sons?

Now is the time to speak up and let the other people know which tree would fit in the area that I am planing to put it in.

The area that I am planing to put the tree in is only 20 feet long and 12 feet wide and yes it is in full sun.

I am very much interested in hearing what you have to say.

I did have a Japanese Stewartiathere last year and it did not make it. It could have bee because during the week of July 4TH it was in the 100's. When I took it out this morning it never bock root out of the root ball.

when i put it in the ground I did my best to open the root ball up so new root could brake out and start growing new roots without any luck.

I did like the Japanese Stawartia very much, but the nursery said that if it did not make it last year they would not put another one in, yes they give me the option.

What would you do?

My soil has a PH of 7.5.

As you can see I am looking for a small tree.

Would like a tree that shows 4 Seasons.

It would be OK to have a Height of 30 to 40 feet and a Spread of 20 to 30 feet.

Katsuras, particularly the weeping forms, are beautiful trees that look their best with lots of room to grow into their mature form. There are a few relatively dwarfish selections that might be more suitable for this area.

One possible drawback does exist. In cold zones, and Z4 would be at the limit for this species, the fall coloration which is one of this tree's main attractions only rarely appears. In my experience, an early hard freeze turns the leaves crisp and brown in most years before the full autumn color develops.

Typically for a deciduous tree 4 seasons interest means blooms, bark or branch structure, fall color and foilage or berries. Seven Son Flower mostly fits that bill.

The only other small 4 seasons tree I can think of is Homestead Buckeye. Has interesting winter branching structure, cool foliage, blooms and reddish orange fall color.

Trunk of a less than 100 year old Katusa. Darn thing is roughly 5-6' across - I was shocked to know they got that big so quickly.

{{gwi:358443}}

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.google.com

Can you give me more information on the Homestead Buckeye
tree?

This maybe the tree that I am looking for , for another area for my backyard.

It it does not get buckeyes on it or every few buckeyes on the tree.

I have looked it up and find no information on the Homestead Buckeye.

I am very interested in this tree.

Selected by Norm Evers of South Dakota State University. Excellent dark red fall color. Extremely dense growth habit producing a wide crown at a very young age. Few seeds produced.

Exposure : Full sun to Partial shade
Height : 20'
Zone : 4
Flower Color : Yellow-green
Foliage Color : Dark green
Fall Color : Dark red
Shape Form : Rounded
Spread : 20'
Genus : Aesculus
Cultivar : Homestead

Here is the one I had at my old place. Its three years older now, not sure how it looks as of today. I damaged a branch in that hollow spot, sure it filled in.

{{gwi:358444}}

Another source...just google Aesculus Homestead

Aesculus x 'Homestead'
Homestead Buckeye
Growth Habit - Rounded to broad
Height: 35'
Spread: 25'
Foliage - Medium green
Fall Foliage - Yellow, orange, red
Flower - Yellowish-red, sterile
Hardiness Zone - 4
Cultural Requirements - Prefers a more moist, well drained soil and performs poorly in a dry site. Grows in sun or partial shade.
Comments - Obtained in 2006 from Carlton Nursery. This is a hybrid of A. flava x A. glabra bred at South Dakota State University.

This post was edited by whaas on Sat, May 18, 13 at 21:24