Need a new front yard tree - C. florida?

17 years ago

I had to have my big front yard maple taken down and now my house feels positively naked. It's weird how much it's bothering me. So I'm trying to decide what to plant in its wake and I can't get over wanting Cornus florida (flowering dogwood). It's the tree species that speaks to me above all others. Am I nuts to invest in this tree given anthracnose, powdery mildew, etc?

I did some googling and found a UConn study that said that Anthracnose is not as big a problem in CT as in other states. In other words, it does happen, but it isn't always fatal to the tree. Powdery mildew appears to be a bigger problem, according to this one study.

This tree will be in the front/center of my yard, in full sun, with plenty of circulation and moist but well drained soil. Might that reduce the risk of powdery mildew?

There are only two other flowering dogwoods in my neighborhood, so the tree is not as ubiquitous here as in some places. Actually, C. kousa is much more popular. Perhaps that means all of the C. Florida were killed off years ago?

I guess I'm looking for what others in NE have experienced with C. florida. Have you lost any? Kept any?

Thanks in advance.

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Comments (4)

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Nancy Vargas Registered Architect
17 years ago
I put in a magnolia last year, having had bad luck with a new dogwood. I am hoping it will satisfy my yen for spring bloom. They are a good bet in Southern New England - no?
ego45
17 years ago
Paige, C.florida is a shortlived tree, after 15-20 years in a ground it may still be alive, but will look like a hell. Drive around and look how (when not in a bloom) the old specimans look, scrugly, lichens ladden, loose irregular shape old-looking trees.
C.cousa are much better trees in all that respects.
You could buy plain specie or fancy cultivar and you'll not be disappointed neither now nor ...many years from now.
About 25-30 y.o. C. cousa:
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Just a zone and a half south of you, Trees Atlanta has planted 113,000 trees in “the most forested urban area in the nation" so you may want to read through their “tree planting 101" page... It, of course, starts with planting in dormancy and “right tree, right place" https://treesatlanta.org/resources/how-to-plant-your-tree/ You may want to consider a few things about your desires for your yard and what is of most importance to you. Do you want a lot of shade? A tree that grows quickly? A tree with great fall color? A tree that flowers? A tree with low maintenance? (Nyssa are all of that...except notable flowers, I think.) If you are in a new subdivision, there is there a chance that the developers graded your lot? That can have a long term effect on how trees grow (robbed of natural soil level and given compacted clay.) Oaks support the most moth and butterfly species, which in turn will attract birds to your yard. I would suggest white oak varieties over red oak varieties, as white oaks have stronger wood and longer life spans. A lot of red oaks in my area rot from the inside out around 80-100 years of age. Plus, unlike maples whose root systems crowd out plants, you can plant under most oaks not pin oak however!) Some trees are “understory trees" meaning that they tend to grow in the shade of larger more established trees, or on the forest's edge getting sun for part of the day. Dogwood and redbud are the most common understory trees that I see used in landscaping, and they should generally not be planted in full sun. Some other trees to read up about and consider if they would be right for your yard and zone: Kentucky Coffeetree, yellowood, hornbeam/ironwood, beech, birch, tulip poplar, sycamore, sassafras, or (if you want ornamental and unique small trees) fringe tree or smoke tree. Some trees to avoid.... Some trees have a lot of maintenance, like sweet gum that drops a crap load of pollen structures and gum balls, and they also have root systems that can raise driveways, affect foundations, and affect water lines. I do not recommend them. Silver maples have weak wood and break easily in storms. Same with pear trees (bradford pears are also non native incredibly invasive...my neighbor across the street has one and every spring, I pull out 200 seedlings from my front yard.) Or maybe you would like a conifer that grows quickly like Norway Spruce?
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runktrun
17 years ago
Paige,
After a sudden and mysterious death of my Cornus x rutgersensis two years ago I am convinced that you are only setting yourself up for heart break. I thought this link from Cornell was telling as to what you might expect in Ct. I also think whitegarden's suggestion of Magnolia is a great replacement tree. kt

Here is a link that might be useful: Dogwood Anthracnose Cornell
paigect
Original Author
17 years ago
"look, scrugly, lichens ladden, loose irregular shape old-looking trees. "

George, this is what I like about them! I didn't realize they tend to be that short-lived, but I'll be somewhat surprised if I'm still here in 25 years, so a 25 year tree might just work great for me. If I am still here, I will likely be ready for a change by then.

I do like C. kousa, but it is a bit too cultured looking for what I have in mind for this spot. I want something more cottagey and typical New England, a bit course and unrefined, with precocious flowers preferably.

Whitegarden, magnolia is one of my back-up trees. Which variety, I'm not sure yet. I am concerned that they are so slow growing. Not that dogwoods are fast, but I think they tend to be faster than most mags, correct? Which variety did you plant?

kt, I'm sorry about the death of your tree. I do understand the heartbreak. Was that a resistant variety? One of the varieties I am considering is "Appalachian Spring", which was mentioned in the article you linked and is available at Broken Arrow. It was developed from a tree in Tennessee that was the sole survivor in an area devastated by anthracnose, and is supposed to be resistant. I will do a bit more research on it. Another variety I like is Cherokee Princess, but I'm not sure about its resistance.

Here is a picture of my house, should anyone have any recommendations as to flower color for whatever tree I choose. This was taken in the evening, but the spot is full sun with exposure to wind. Do you think a white-flowering tree will be too bland against the light gray house? If I was to go with a mag, would you vote for yellow or a pink?

Need a new front yard tree - C. florida?

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Nancy Vargas Registered Architect

ego45

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Need a new front yard tree - C. florida?

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Nancy Vargas Registered Architect

ego45

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paigectOriginal Author

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