Gorgeous ancient Live Oak tree
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
8 years ago
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jalcon
8 years agojoeinmo 6b-7a
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Ancient-looking trees
Comments (14)Well I did a little research and here's what I came up with: You're right, scotjute, it's too cold here for Deodor Cedar, Arizona Cypress, and Cedrus Libani. But the Western Yew, and Black Hills Spruce would grow just fine...in fact almost everyone already has one in their yard. Although most people cringe at the thought of actually planting a juniper...I rather like some of them, and will incorporate a few of them into my landscape. But again, they are so common here, everyone has one or ten. I definately like the Burr Oak idea...wish they didn't grow so slowly. And I think I'm going to go for the Western Red Cedar, too. A large, un-pruned boxwood might prove interesting...don't those things grow on the moon, also? Still undecided about a Weeping Ginko. Any input?...See MoreIs our gorgeous oak tree *gulp* ok?
Comments (19)Quite a few of the trees around here (with the exception of native CA oaks) have grass that grows right up to the trunk. The arborist that was here told us that the grass shouldn't grow up to the trunk and when I did some research online, I found conflicting information. It shouldn't surprise me that something else we were told is incorrect. *sigh* I think I may pull some of it away and just mulch directly around the tree, for aesthetics. This house was built in 1996. Somewhere along the way, one of the previous owners planted the tree through a free shade tree program we have in this area. Our summers can creep into the 100's, just for a few days, so the local electric company partnered with a tree foundation to give out various free trees. We'd like to plant 2 smaller trees for privacy (we have a fairly good sized yard) and when their arborist was out to recommend the placement and type of tree he told us that the oak had originally come from them. He unfortunately didn't have anything written down as far as what type it was. My husband is the grass mower / weed eater. It takes him maybe 10 minutes to do the entire yard because he's very, very careful around the tree. He's a major tree fanatic. If it were completely up to him we'd be living out in the country on 10 acres surrounded by trees, with no neighbors for miles. Our grass is fickle. It may look like drought but it was like a swamp out there a week ago. We actually had a few mushrooms pop up and when we walked into the grass, we sunk. We ended up cutting out one watering cycle so it gets watered 2 times a week now for 15 minutes each time. It's been in the 80's... Thanks again for all of your answers, guys! Guess I was just worrying for nothing. Hopefully we'll still see some color change but if not, maybe next year. :)...See MorePlanting under Live Oak Tree
Comments (15)Why remove the leaves? The plants love them, but I know if you're dealing with an HOA, you may not have a choice. I had bromeliads, gingers, amaryllis, crinums and philodendrons under my oaks. I planted the philodendrons by laying them up against the oak tree trunk and covering with a pile of dirt. They eventually grew up into the tree and were gorgeous. I loved not having to rake under the tree, or even fertilize much, because of the leaves. Never "planted" a bromeliad. Just laid them on the ground and let them do their thing. The gingers only need an inch of dirt over them to grow. The giant crinum was planted quite by accident when I was given one which I tossed under the tree and forgot about. It rooted into the ground, still growing on its side, and bloomed like mad every year. The amaryllis I started as tiny bulbets given to me by a friend, so I only had to dig a tiny little hole and cover with dirt to start them. They took a few years to bloom, but they did, and multiplied like mad. There is a grass that will grow under oaks. It's called "Bitter Blue" St. Augustine, and it's not that easy to find. Mine was there when I moved in, and wherever it grew out from under the shade, it died, because I didn't irrigate the lawn. Still, it thrived under the oak. Monkey grass is also easy to plant and grow under oaks, because you can pull the clumps apart and just plant the sprigs. It fills in rapidly. Same with the green or variegated ornamental sweet potato. Just root some cuttings in water and plant them as soon as they have tiny 1/2" roots on them. Of course, you can always mulch and use containers for flowers if you want. A lot of people do that....See Moreoak tree disease?
Comments (8)Natives & veggies, I heard of the oak disease attacking the oak trees out west a while back and I've started to intersperse maple trees here and there on my property so if the oak fungus hits here I will still have some majestic looking trees left. I've had a few oaks drop leaves, dry up and come crashing down... but I'm not sure if it was the disease or lightning causing it. I get some hellish lightning on my little hill that has set trees ablaze but the downpour has put the fires out most times. Each year I buy a few maple trees 6 - 12 inch starts and grow them in pots until they are 10 - 12 feet tall then transplant them out. There are a few maples that are native to Florida so I buy those starts. I've also planted a few sycamore trees and some other trees. I've had to run a few hundred feet of garden hose set on timers to keep them watered until established so thats why I set out only a few each year. The well is located around 1,200 feet away from the furthest corner of my lot so it takes a lot of garden hose to reach. When I lived up north we lost all our elm trees to the dutch elm disease so I know the pain of losing beautiful huge trees. Lou...See Morewantonamara Z8 CenTex
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