Italian look-alike trees for zone 5

7 years ago

I just got back from a trip to Italy. While there, the charming landscape of the countryside really caught my attention. It made me wonder: could that look be simulated back here in upstate NY (zone 5)? Most of what grows there wouldn't survive the winters here, but are there trees that are similar in appearance?

I've been trying to find as much as I can on this, and this is what I've come up with:

Italian Cypress - Skyrocket Juniper is similar, though smaller and different colored; alternatively, Emerald Green Arborvitae, though it's a bit stubbier and more vividly green

Italian Stone/Umbrella Pine - Colorado Pinyon Pine, while not exact, is the closest substitute I could find. Is there any other kind of tree that has the umbrella pine shape?

Sycamore Maple - Survives to zone 5, could also substitute with American Sycamore

Those are the 3 trees that stuck out the most to me. Everything else looked pretty shrubby to me, which is easy to emulate. Oleander and Crape Myrtle, while officially zone 6-7 can be grown as die-back perennials with proper mulching. Throw in some lavender, roses, and clematis, and you should have a pretty Mediterranean looking area.

It just seems like you would need some better options for the tree look-alikes. Does anyone have suggestions?

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floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

7 years ago

Are you sure it was Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) and not Plane (Platanus)? I don't really associate Acer pseudoplatanus with the Italian countryside, of any region. It's a pretty weedy self sower in my neck of the woods.

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Huggorm
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Sycamore Maple - Survives to zone 5, could also substitute with American Sycamore

Are you sure those wasn't european sycamores, platanus orientalis? The sycamore maple should only grow up in the mountains of Italy. The american sycamore should be a good substitute though.

Wasn't there any olive trees?

Edit: crap, too slow
Andrew thanked Huggorm
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millymoo zone6B
7 years ago
I agree with floral_uk. I have Plane trees in my Niagara Falls neighborhood(zone 6B) and they're very similar to ones in Rome and elsewhere...sigh. Exfoliating bark is pretty messy but still a beautiful tree.

I planted DeGroot's spire cedar to try to get the Italian cypress look. Mine are only 3 feet tall now(2 years old) but for me, they came closest to looking like the Italian Cypress. I have hopes they'll grow much taller.

I have seen them in Mediterranean-inspired gardens in my area Skyrocket junipers never did anything for me except have that upright growth habit.
Andrew thanked millymoo zone6B
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
snow load may also be in issue ...

if i were you.. i would find a local arboretum or two ...while its all fresh in your mind .... and visit and compare ... to find the look you are after ....

if you had pix.. perhaps we could offer look alike options.. but not on mere words alone ....

you said: Oleander and Crape Myrtle, while officially zone 6-7 can be grown as die-back perennials

-===>>> not in my z5 MI ... period ... it might be a ground freeze issue... does your ground freeze solid??? ...

or are umbrellas pines viable for me ...... depending on micro climate issues .....

and what do you mean by umbrella pine shape????

ken
Andrew thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
Huggorm
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Pinus pinea should be the umbrella pine, and I don't think there are any cold-hardy pine with that distinct shape.
Andrew
Original Author
7 years ago
floral_uk & huggorm: Thanks for the correction! I believe you are right. I was told by someone while over there that the trees were Sycamore Maples. After looking at some platanus photos, I definitely think that is what they are. Not platanus orientalis, but some other kind. Whoops!

As for the olive trees, I was in northern Italy, so I didn't notice any. They are another very cool Italian tree though. Are there any zone 5 look alikes?

Millymoo: DeGroot's spire cedar is a good one that I haven't stumbled across yet. Thanks!
Sara Malone Zone 9b
7 years ago
Acer pseudoplatanus cultivars are some of the loveliest trees out there - the species may be weedy but check out 'Nizettii', 'Esk Sunset' and 'Prinz Handjery' for starters! Andrew they may not work for you - the actual Platanus is more 'Italian' - but I wanted to do a little PR for these cultivars. Floral do you know these?
Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
7 years ago
American Sycamore and Plane tree...'Morton Circle' is the hardiest Plane.

Austrian Pine also pops up in the landscape a bit...large flat topped specimens with few lower branches and big bark plates. A look that takes a century or more to develop.

The Oaks are worth a try. Hard to duplicate an old Holm or Cork Oak (they're evergreen for starters) but open grown English Oak and especially Post Oak have a form that mimics those oaks of Italy.

Finally, if you're in 5b (rather than 5a), the true cedars...C. libani var. stenocoma and C. deodara 'Eisregen' or 'Karl Fuchs' will work. You'd have seen lots in Italy.
Andrew thanked Smivies (Ontario - 5b)
gardener365
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Italian cypress look-a-likes for zone 5 New York conditions are:

Juniperus virginiana 'Taylor'

Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Arrow'

*no Juniperus scopulorum cultivars/plants should be used*

These (2) are tough to find but are excellent:

Thuja occidentalis 'Malonyana' and 'Malonyana Aurea'. I've not seen 'Malonyana' offered online in the United States but I have seen 'Malonyana Aurea' being offered.

already mentioned: Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire' is another great choice.

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Pinus sylvestris 'Wateri' will make for an excellent limbed up umbrella shaped pine.

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Completely agree that the hardy Cedars listed above are great candidates.

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Just some other candidates with great bark are:

Pinus bungeana - may suffer a bit from Pine Wilt Nematode in your climate but certainly worth a try.

Corylus fargesii

Acer triflorum

Acer griseum

Stewartia pseudocamellia (look for the hardiest of these for sale. There is a tissue propagated form in commerce hardy to -35 Fahrenheit.)

Cornus officinalis

Pseudocydonia sinensis

Dax
Andrew thanked gardener365
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
7 years ago
Sara - I don't know many Acer pseudoplatanus cultivars by name but I do see many different kinds growing as quite large old specimens in parks here. I was referring to the species as being weedy. It and Fraxinus excelsior are what turns up in any unkempt patch of garden, particularly in towns.
Sara Malone Zone 9b
7 years ago
I am not surprised about the species behavior but just wanted to make sure that the cultivars are not tarred with the same brush. 'Nizetti' is my favorite tree in my garden.

Italian look-alike trees for zone 5

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

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Italian look-alike trees for zone 5

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