Finally settled on tree for north front yard.

13 years ago

After exploring and researching my options. I have finally chosen. I initially thought I wanted a native oak but my readings on oaks are not very encouraging as I am not an especially attentive gardener. Weeds come and go in my yard like the tides. I will get most of them yanked then when I look again they're back as high as my eyeballs. The yard on that side is also rather narrow. I'm afraid any oak big enough to give shade will outgrow the space.

Crapes don't seem to mind my hit and run style. I have three of them. I think CM Muskogee will do the job. It will get big enough to give good shade but won't hang over the roof.

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Comments (10)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
13 years ago
Wise choice. Oaks need space; a small area isn't a good place for a large tree.
hosenemesis
13 years ago
Yeah, an oak gets awfully big. I sure wish I had room for one!
Renee
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It may seem tedious, hard, and unnecessary to move these plants, although most gardeners enjoy re-arranging to improve their garden's function and appearance. Most hate trying to move or rip out the mistake of previous owners, mistakes which sometimes then reveal damage. Because these plants are still manageable, this situation can be set right. Once done, you will be again at the point of considering next steps toward the goal of eventually having very little upkeep to handle. You will have lost nothing and gained several benefits: Protection of your home. Healthier plants. Better looking in terms of appropriate rather than crowded spacing. You will still have: Same plants. Screening of windows. And there are psychological and physical benefits: Lowered anxiety about whether the paint job and wood will deteriorate due to those pieris. Spring exercise planting your beautiful shrubs. Self-esteem up because you've gained knowledge and improved something wisely. Yes, you calculated the spacing, but forgot to calculate appropriate distance from building. Also, a shrub doesn't reach a certain number and then say to itself, "I'm 5 feet tall and wide now. I better stop or the shrub police will come and get me." Shrubs are living and, unlike humans, continue to gain height and width throughout their lives. I think the size ranges are estimated for 5 to 10 years?, but the shrubs don't know that and they will keep growing. What's to lose here? Re-planting 3 shrubs? Ah, c'mon! If I lived closer, I'd come by and help! Wellspring
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"...we just don't know what this tree is going to end up looking like." That's what I'm trying to get at. A great deal of what it will look like has to do with how you mold it into shape... or how you don't. Trees left to their own devices often misbehave later in life. I'm getting around to suggesting that if you aren't trying to create separation from the street life, then limb up the tree for starters. For one thing, removing foliage will stimulate the tree to grow elsewhere, especially at the top where you want it to grow. And you probably don't want limbs to be dragging on the heads of people who pass by on the sidewalk. If fertilizer hasn't been applied, you might try that for encouraging more growth, too. And don't put the fertilizer around the trunk. Tree roots spread out in all directions. Basically, just fertilize your entire lawn and the tree will be included. Chances are, you'd prefer a mature tree with a single straight trunk that offers shade from overhead, not screening of the street. If you think the tree may be unhealthy and in need of replacement, you might want to explore that issue on the tree forum (or locally) and return here with a conclusion. You should get it identified, too.
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Look at a native Manzanita (Arctostaphyllos) like 'Austin Griffiths" rather than a Maple. It will be much happier, easier to take care of, and not too big for that spot. Spring flowers attract hummingbirds, dark red bark contrasting with blue-green foliage is stunning. Your front garden looks very small for one of the large Magnolias. Hopefully you thinking are thinking of something like a Magnolia x soulangiana such as 'Black Tulip', not a Magnolia grandiflora (huge). Crape Myrtles are great smaller trees if your area gets adequate heat. If you are in a cool part of the Bay Area (SF) they won't be as happy. The bloom period is not long, but they are spectacular in bloom, you are far enough north to get autumn color, and the bark is beautiful as well.
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aquilachrysaetos
Original Author
13 years ago
Me too. If I didn't have to worry about the cesspool I would say heck with it and plant one anyway. I have seen many a magestic oak towering over a wee little house and have been envious.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
13 years ago
We had in our town a truly beautiful oak towering over a small cottage. One day with no warning a huge limb dropped onto the roof of the cottage, bringing it right to the ground. After seeing the result I would never feel safe, although in this case no one was hurt. Al
surfcityhb
13 years ago
I've had surprising success with a small (deciduous) tree, a Cercis "Forest Pansy". It's actually done much better, bloomed (in spring) more profusely than and isn't as picky as my native western redbud! It's not super dense though, so if it's a lot of shade you want, it wouldn't work.

Another smallish (deciduous) tree (about 15 feet) that's done well for me and casts heavier shade is a chaste tree (vitex agnus-castus). A reliable summer bloomer, even near the coast where I am. Not picky about soil and I never water it.
surfcityhb
13 years ago
Sorry. I know you've already made up your mind...
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
13 years ago
Your choice I think was a good one. The CM can be grown or pruned to fit any space and the branching structure especially when dormant, can be very attractive. The previous poster mentioned the Vitex agnus-castus although not the best for this purpose, a wonderful large shrub, not a native, but grows like one. Any California garden with room for a large deciduous shrub would be wise to look into Vitex. Al
aquilachrysaetos
Original Author
13 years ago
Of the redbuds I prefer western redbud. I'veseen forest pansy beafore. It's a beautiful tree but the 'wilder' appearance of the western appeals to me more. There's a spot in the back corner of my lot that I have in mind for one. Western redbud is not at it's best in coastal areas but I am inland and they look beautiful in my area.

Vitex belongs to that class of plants that will jump into my shopping cart if I am not absolutely flat broke. One of these days there will be one in my backyard peering over the fence that faces the street.
surfcityhb
13 years ago
Yes, you're right dis, westerns don't bloom well near the coast where I am. In the fifteen years I've had the tree, it's only bloomed well, one or two years when we've had a cold enough snap the previous winter, which is a shame, because the hummingbirds really flock to the tree when it does bloom. I, too, prefer the multi-trunk growth of the western, but the forest pansy makes up for it with red/burgundy coloring in the summer, and bronzey fall color--and it actually blooms at the coast. I have one near a gate with an arch over it, and I like the way the arching vase-shape of the tree frames the arch of the gate.

{{gwi:520466}}

I know the vitex can be a shrub, but mine reaches over my patio furniture that can be seen in the lower right hand corner.

{{gwi:520454}}
aquilachrysaetos
Original Author
13 years ago
You have a beautiful garden!

Mine is a trifle crispy in places because of the heat but natives and trees do well for me. I'll take some pics and post them.

Finally settled on tree for north front yard.

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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23

hosenemesis

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Finally settled on tree for north front yard.

Comments (10)

hoovb zone 9 sunset 23

hosenemesis

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aquilachrysaetosOriginal Author

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

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aquilachrysaetosOriginal Author

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