Sassy....don't freak out too much. (By the way, LOTS of yard you have there...beds look great!). I have hostas w/in 30 feet of a silver maple that are growing like gangbusters. yes, I have to roto-root my sewer pipes every year (thank you, neighbors)...but the hostas are growing. LOL I have huge hostas under dogwoods, redbuds, various evergreens and even an ENOOOOORMOUS tulip poplar. They are fat, happy and growing like mad.

I'm not trying to diminish your situation but follow ken's mantra about how you water/fertilize them...mulch...amend the soil in the *entire* bed and i think you'll be amazed at how well they will do! The bottom line is that "it is what it is" so don't stress out. You aren't in a position to kill off your trees so just jump back into your gardening w/ gusto and if you happen to see a particular variety of hosta declining...move it! :)

Good luck!!!

I too am wondering if I made a boo boo, but I am planning to wait it out. One of my beds was cut out of a wild area between our garage and my husband's shop. It was a low spot and damper then most in my yard, I discovered after much thinning. I left one tree, and it died. I think the one I got free from school is a maple variety. I have moved a lot of hosta in and out of that area. I can't get my sizeing and design just right. My debate is if it was an area with "extra" water maybe the Maple will balance it off, I am fighting fern's in that area too so my hosta have to me good fighters. So far so good. I keep moving them because they get too dang big for that bed. It sounds like you have not noticed any problems in your beds. I say you are going to be fine. The other poster noticed decline right off. If it is that dramatic, you would know. Gardening is a waiting game more often than not.

Sassy,
You have some pretty nice gardens and your hostas are doing very well. We should remember that hostas are tough...and they grow even in between big roots of maples and other large trees.
Of course, any hosta (especially a young one) planted very close to the trunk of a large tree might take longer to develop...and it needs additional water. What I have done in some cases is to dig up a slow developing hosta and replace it with a 4 or 5-year old hosta. The roots ball is big so it will grow just fine even in close proximity to the trunk of a large maple.
I look at my big trees and consider them as friends to my hostas...after all they are the ones providing the shade...
Papou

I have hostas growing under my maples and have had no problems at all. Other plants won't grow there, by my hostas seem to like it there. I have 2 Crimson King maples and 2 Sugar Maples.

Most of the trees providing shade for my hostas are maples as well. This will only be the third year of growing hosta for me, but most of them seemed like they did alright last year. Except a tiny single eye Blue Cadet, that might even have been a first year TC I bought from a discount place.
It didn't grow a single new leaf all season. Near the end of summer I dug it up, pulled away all the fine hair-like tree roots that were strangling it and put it in a pot.

Your place looks very nice and you do have lots of other trees. Since some of those maples are young themselves, it might give your hostas the benefit. Most of my maples are 25+ years, so I'm sure their roots are spread far and wide and tough ones too.

Like everyone else said, keep an eye on them, do what you gotta do, but enjoy them and have fun watching them grow.

Janet

Hi sassy ... sorry to get you depressed. I hate to say I'm too old to start replanting trees, too ... but (sigh) ... it's true. As you can read here, for every one that has a problem, someone else comes along and says their hostas do fine. From my recent reads on maples, I'm seeing silver maples and the Normandy superform are some of the worst. I have a silver maple in my front yard and most of the hostas I planted under them are either gone or now very, very small. Same thing happened under my Pagoda dogwood. By the way, this did not happen immediately. They did fine for a couple of yrs, then each yr. after got smaller and smaller. Your beds are gorgeous ... and they are BIG, so I can see where you can perhaps enlarge them and plant further out. Just figure you now have the benefit of knowing this could be a problem, and do what you can with extra water, etc. Do keep an eye on any plants you have closer to the trunks ... I'm sure moving them further out would help. My beds are smaller than yours. I have watered extra like crazy under the maple, but the tree is winning so before it gets too big, I have to make this decision. Plus, you have other trees in the mix too. Time will tell for both of us, huh? Good luck with yours! I think with those big beds, you've got a better chance than I do!!

I have fought the Silver Maple and I am sick of losing more and more of my plants. Last year I replaced plants that just sat there getting smaller and smaller with Hosta and they did fabulous for about a month and a half. Then they just stopped growing and when I got the shovel to check out the roots I found the maple roots had found the hosta roots and dug right in. Jusr a huge nest of little maple feeder roots all tangled in my hosta, sucking the life out of them. I did the water the whole area thing -- it works for a while but I am not spending another whole summer untangling roots. SO now the tree is going!! I would rather wait for another tree to mature then fight with this anymore. In the meantime I will plant some tall screening plants and try to figure out different ways to cast a little shade to replace the almost 60 footer that I can't wait to use for firewood.
Just MHO
Cheryl

I forgot to mention that the reason I planted all those fast growing maples and hybrid poplars was to replace the elms that had died from the dreaded dutch elm disease. I needed shade quickly. I knew that what I planted was considered "short-lived trees", but I figured, "what the heck, I'm a lot shorter-lived then they'll ever be." lol

Here's a question: if I see that my hostas are starting to decline, would it be feasible to set a large pot or whisky barrel in the ground, or would the trees roots find their way to the drain holes and choak the plant that way?

Wish I'd known about this forum before I ever planted those trees!

I appreciate all who have replied.

sassy ... all I know is those silver maple roots clog up all the underground water tiles around here backing up plumbing, etc., so I'm not sure if pots would deter them. Not only that, if your hostas do start declining, there are SO many roots that trying to dig thru them to set a pot or barrel in the ground would be next to impossible. But you have already planted under them (or were the hosta there first, then you planted the trees?) ... was digging the holes easy? Of course, smaller plants = smaller holes, so it might have been easier? I still say you might be better off planting further out from the tree.

My experience is the same as maidinshade's.

The roots will find their way through the tiniest opening. Been there, done that. Your hostas look like they're doing great, so I wouldn't worry about it right now.

Deanna

Deanna, I was afraid that the pot/whisky barrel idea wouldn't work. Thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks for your input.

freeda, The 4 Silver Maples in Garden "A" were planted AFTER the garden was already established. When the elms died it left the hosta in nearly full sun (except for 1
crab apple tree in the middle)

When a bunch of my elm trees died I wanted fast-growing shade trees to replace them. When the shade appeared from the new fast-growing trees, other gardens were developed as my obsession with hostas grew. I divided and bought more, bought more & divided. Sound familar? So those trees were already there when Gardens B, C, D and the garden by the pond was created. All I knew at that time was I love hostas and they grow in shade,... I have shade, therefore, I'll plant more hostas.

Want to hear something ironic?..... I spoke to the owner at Hillgardens when I placed an order this winter. We were discussing slug control.
I told him about my SEVERE slug problem at the campsite where I have about 102 hosta planted (only 14 variety). He asked me what kind of trees they are under....I told him they are all oak trees. He told me that was my problem, oak trees make the soil acidic which slugs love. (slugs hate alkaline soil) I told him that it's a campground and I don't own the property, I just rent the campsite so I can't change the ph of the soil for my hostas. Well, isn't that a hoot. At home I have trees that may very well choak the life out of my hostas. And at the campground my hostas are planted under deep-rooted/hosta-friendly oak trees, but they get eaten alive by the slugs because of the oak trees?
Sometimes ya just can't win. LOL

In 1972 I planted a silver maple whip 36" tall in my yard, and it's now at least 50'x 50'. Hostas are about 10'from the trunk, and I couldn't move them if I wanted to. None have ever grown to full size,although the bed looks good, the fibrous roots of the tree are like cement, and anything closer to the trunk is very small. Four silver maples close together will turn into a nightmare.
I would look for a relative or neighbor with a chain saw, and remove at least one, if not two of them. They seem to be a "manageable size" for cutting. The others will quickly provide more shade for the hostas, and if you are anywhere near my age, not be a problem for you in the next 10 years. At least move the ones closest to the trunks!

Hostanana, I think you're right. I'm going to get the hubby to saw down 2 of the Silver Maples in Garden A. They are planted way too close together. I've been thinking of doing that and also plant a couple of hosta-friendly trees behind those maples. If I live long enough to see them reach a decent size and delivering shade, I can than saw down the maples. I believe it was Ken that said that Oak trees aren't really slow growers.
Ken....which kind of oak grow the fastest? Or maybe I should go with Redbuds?...or maybe one of those Tricolor Beech? Anyone know which grow the fastest of those three?

Redbuds grow like a rocket! I have 2 year old seedlings that dropped from the "mother" tree that are 6-8 feet...no joke.

I've been doing some research for fast growing trees that would be suitable for planting under and I came across the Paulownia Tree.
Sounds almost too good to be true. Fast growing....long lived....deep roots.....hardy to -30F.
I think it would be worth a try and interesting to see just how fast it grows.
After doing a search on this tree several sites came up that have it for sale. Below is a link with some info....

Janet

Here is a link that might be useful: Paulownia Tree

The Paoulownia Tree looks and sounds (by description( very, very similar to our "Catalpa Trees" in Ohio!
The only problem with the ones we have is that it's limbs tend to be brittle and they also produce long seed pods
that some folk find annoying! Otherwise, I love mine!!! The leaves are large and a beautiful chartreus and
the flowers (more very pale lavendar/white) are very orchid looking, clustered like Hydrangea and very lightly fragrant!

Around here, you almost never can transplant one of this type and have it survive
and they are not sold in a nursery, etc. because they are considered a "weed" tree!
So, you have to wait, like me, for one to "show up" in your garden or lawn, if you are
so blessed like I feel I am, to have one "show-up" after wanting one for so long!!!

janice

Okay, I think I've solved a personal mystery I've had by reseaching this tree further.

For many years, driving south in the springtime, and especially through "Maggie Valley"
there have been some very beautiful blooming trees along the highways, that had huge drooping clusters
of pinkish lavendar blossoms, and the large leaves when they bloom. I'm convinced they must be these trees!

However, the "down-side" is that they are also considered to be "invasive"! Not sure how invasive
that could be in every situation, but here is an article I've found, that will direct you to other sites of
discussion about their invasiveness!

Here is a link that might be useful: The

first .. 4 silver maples in one bed .... get out garden chair.. and a beer/bottle of wine... and go sit out there for a few hours in late spring.. and decide which 3 you are going to take out ... you do not need them all there ... at least two ... maybe when they were smaller.. but not now.. and do it.. while they are still small and can be done by you or for very cheap ...

kill the poplar now... if it lived ten years.. i would be surprised.. and then it will cost you a couple hundred to get it out of bed b ...

conifers are not really a problem ... pines/spruces .. etc ...

one of the trees looks like a sweetgum ... i just moved one last year... 15 feet tall .. all roots within the first 4 inches of soil ... not the best i suppose ...

cherries are wonderful ...

look .. remove some.. lessen your problems ... and deal with the rest.. we all are.. its nothing to get depressed about.. geez ...

with trees that compete... always .. ALWAYS broadcast water.. and skip fert .. or broadcast it ... if you hand water only the hosta.. where do you think the tree will send roots .. so if you spread the water.. it will spread the roots... same theory for food ...

ALWAYS dig a hole.. bare root the hosta.. and replant with the native soil ... and the tree wont know the hosta is there ... only its first drink .. then broadcast water ...

plant them forever.. every time you dig a hole.. and sever a root.. the tree will put out a billion new feeder roots .. so we want to go in there as infrequently as possible ...

and bottom line.. they are hosta ... if one doesn't thrive there.. move it .. other will grow like weeds and not care ...

good luck'

ken

i hit the send too fast .. here is a better paragraph:

ALWAYS dig a hole.. bare root the hosta.. and replant with the native soil ... and the tree wont know the hosta is there ... only its first drink .. then broadcast water ... NEVER EVER AMEND A PLANTING HOLE UNDER AN AGGRESSIVE TREE >>>

plant them forever.. every time you dig a hole.. and sever a root.. the tree will put out a billion new feeder roots .. so we want to go in there as infrequently as possible ...

and bottom line.. they are hosta ... if one doesn't thrive there.. move it .. other will grow like weeds and not care ...

good luck'

ken

After doing further research on this tree and visiting the Tree Forum, I did learn that it is too good to be true, lol.

It is a soft wood and does not hold up well in areas that are prone to wind or storms, which we have a lot of here. I don't need another tree that will cause more mess in the yard. The Silver Maples do a good enough job of that.
Also in years that it would happen to bloom here, then there would thousands of little seedlings coming up, kind of like the maples do with their little twirlies everywhere....ugh!

I guess it's back to the drawing board finding a few good trees, but I do know I will not plant any more maples. I have 7 of them now, 4 are Silver Maples and that is what provides the majoirty of my shade.

Serviceberry might be another good choice, along with Redbud.

Janet

I just spent a couple hours researching and calling places aout the Paulownia. Like Janet, I decided to check out the GW tree forum for the pros and cons...The cons win. I won't be planting one of those!

Ken, At least 2 of the maples are coming down in Garden "A"
And as for the poplars, they are ALL coming down before they do anymore damage. In 2003 we had one fall on our house, cost us $4,000! And yes, you do see a Sweet Gum branch in the 2nd pic. I believe it's far enough away from the bed to leave the hosta alone (I hope) I have 2 Sweet Gums & love them. Under one I have Lancifolias planted & they are doing great, but then again they are Lancifolias. LOL. Since you say pine will do well, what do you think about White Pine? They're fast growing? How about if I take out 2-3 maples in Garden "A" and plant 6' White Pine behind them. When the pine grow up and give enough shade I can then remove the remaining maple(s)? Sound like a plan?

here in MI ... i grow a lot of my hosta in near full sun .. and they look fine until mid august... you beds are extremely dark in comparison .. and frankly i think you are over thinking this.... GET RID OF THE MAPLES NOW ... then just plant the pine ... and be amazed how well your hosta grow with more sun ... just add extra water to offset the extra sun ...

i bought one gal 12 inch white pines at wallyworld a few years back for 2 bucks .... 3 foot the first year .. and 4 to 6 feet per year since.. why in the world would you pay good money for a 6 footer???? it will take a bigger tree longer to adjust to the transplant than a smaller tree ... maybe i exaggerate a bit ... but i bet a 2 to 3 footer for half the price will take off faster than a bigger one ...

if you are in OH ... you need to visit and/or talk to van wade in Mansfield .. you are no more than 3 hours from him ... no matter where you are ...... back in 2000 he sold me 6 to 8 foot oaks .. bare root in April .. for around 25 to 40 bucks.. had at least 6 varieties ... shingle is the fastest for me .... 3 to 5 feet per year.. they are going on 25 feet 6 years later .... how fast do you need them to grow.. its an old wives tale that they are slow growers ...

now track them down.. and call them today .... and make a plan to go back to his place in June... you will DIE!!! ... but the oaks have to be planted in the first week of April ....

good luck

ken

Thanks Ken.

If you want to plant medium to small hostas under the silver maples, A great technique I learned it to plant in two large plastic pots in the ground, a type that are stackable. One pot stays in the ground, the other with the plant and soil fits very tightly inside it and can be lifted or rotated easily. It needs to be done to sever the tree roots at least once a year.
If you are consistent with always using the identical type of pot, you can also move the hostas around to suit your taste.
Dave

Good suggestion from Dave but you can also just plant in a pot and rotate it 1/4 turn twice a year to keep the roots out of the drain holes.