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Anybody have a Tree Form Nannyberry?

nutsaboutflowers

13 years ago

Hello all.

I'm trying to determine which tree will perform the best between the house and garage. Clay soil. Sun to part shade. We've discussed the Polar Bear Willow, but I'm also considering the Tree Form Nannyberry.

Does anyone here have it? Some websites say it likes moist conditions and some say it doesn't. Drives me crazy when the web has contradictory information.

The source for the best information is Far North Gardening =:)

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Comments (9)

leftwood
13 years ago
At least in my area of central Minnesota, Nannyberries are not particular about soils. But they will always tend to sucker in open sun/part sun and I think you will be fighting the suckers constantly. Nannyberries do perform as small understory trees in loose canopy deciduous forest here. Bloom is very ample, but they are slow growers in such a situation.
north53 Z2b MB
13 years ago
Hi Naf, I'm wondering how large this area is? The nannyberry is more of a large shrub than a tree. I keep mine pruned sort of into a multi trunked tree shape. I love it. Suckering does happen, but hasn't been a huge issue for me. Everyone who sees it in the fall wants one. But it probably needs good sun for a fall display of colour.
In the last couple of years I've had a mildew problem on it. I've thinned it out somewhat and am hoping that helps. I'm mentioning this, because you might consider whether it will get good air circulation where you're considering planting it.
Here's an old picture of mine taken from my kitchen window.
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Did some head scratching and got the shovel out and thought best to change and divert the direction of water flow that comes from two directions during times of excess moisture. The two flows will be converged into one and directed along the tree line through a gentle trench to be dug along there ... the area will become drier and without worries as to any newly planted trees and shrubs suffering from wet feet. It'll be a fair bit of digging, though the soil is good and I can peck away as time and my engery permits ... only thing I'm concerned about is the dang roots I'm gonna need to hack through :(
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We have a large clump of it that volunteered on a slope that's too steep to mow with the tractor, so we have left it, just cutting back suckers around the outside borders of the clump so it doesn't get too huge. There's also a long strip of it along the edge of the woodland at the town elementary school. It's great favorite of mine - winter food for the birds, good nesting habitat, unique texture/appearance, and stunning fall color and I am tickled pink that we had some volunteer in such a perfect spot. IMO however, it is a case of right plant, right place. I wouldn't plant it right next to a building since it would end up growing up against the building as it suckered, and I wouldn't plant it in a garden bed, also due to the suckering. Where it has a bit of room to spread it's a great plant, but I don't think I'd grow it in a suburban yard since it would require a lot of attention to keep it to a reasonable space. It's an early succession plant in this area, and we did remove it from one of the fields that we didn't want to grow back to forest. Mowing has kept it in check without any problems both on our property and at the school.
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nutsaboutflowers
Original Author
13 years ago
Oh my goodness, North53, that's beautiful, and probably perfect for my spot =:)

I wish I had planted one years ago. To get it into the form you have, you kept some of the suckers ??

Thanks for the picture ! Lynn
north53 Z2b MB
13 years ago
No Lynn, the suckers come up a few feet away from the tree. If I get them when they're little, I can just pull them out. I try not to disturb the soil near the tree, as doing that seems to encourage suckers.
Keep in mind that you're looking down on the tree from a window. What you can't see is the space at the bottom of the tree. I've pruned out the lower branches so I can have a perennial bed under there.
nutsaboutflowers
Original Author
13 years ago
Well then, that's even better =:)

Now I just need to nail down DH with the truck !

P.S. Is it you that loves your mock orange with all your heart? The one I planted last year had a lot of broken branches from the snow, but it's coming back, so I'm pretty happy.

Thanks!
marciaz3 Tropical 3 Northwestern Ontario
13 years ago
I know Gil has a mockorange that she loves. :) Mine is down to one branch (stem?) this year, but it's alive, at least.
nutsaboutflowers
Original Author
13 years ago
Oh, that's right. Gillian is Northspruce, right?

I'll see your one branch, and raise you one branch and a tiny little stick coming up =:)
marciaz3 Tropical 3 Northwestern Ontario
13 years ago
But does your branch have leaves?? :>

(This morning, the threads are opening in a new window again!)
HU-280136024
2 years ago
Do the nannyberry berries end up dropping & staining paver stones OR does the bird attraction cause feces staining the stone? We want to put one as a privacy shield next to our deck and patio furniture but our worried about this. thanks!

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