Favorite tree and why: also also-rans
Mollydowneastmaine Zone 5b Dysart
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (16)
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
6 years agoMature Tsuga canadensis...
...as one might expect. Why? The pic should be self-explanatory.
tj
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoIlex purpurea. A small tree, spreading in form, and very elusive to find. Evergreen and gorgeous berries in winter.
Related Discussions
favorite trees and why
Comments (52)I'd probably have to say that trees with exotic trunks, bark or flowers are the ones that I prefer. One tree that combines all of these attributes in one tree is Brazilian Floss Silk tree, Chorisia speciosa. I find the sculptural bright green trunks with heavy thorns, towering size and vivid orchid pink blooms in winter when the trees are almost leafless is something that appeals to me in winter. Another similar blooming subtropical tree is the entire Tabebuia genus, which has so many species that light up the forest when they bloom at the end of the dry season in places like the west coast of southern Mexico or Brazil. Tabebuia chrysotricha and T. impetiginosa are pretty magnificent even as ordinary street trees as seen around southern California. But perhaps my most perfect tree is actually a palm, Cocos nucifera, which is the essence of the tropics, and looks as good as a young plant, or by the thousands lining tropical shores. Not only is it beautiful, but so supremely useful for food, water, building materials, and to string up a hammock and enjoy the shade and breeze off the ocean. Favortie trees that are less tropical, would include those with such beautiful smooth bark as our native Madrone, Arbutus menziesii, or the much easier to grow hybrid, A. 'Marina', which is almost never without bloom or colorful fruit, and has such graceful, twisting and sinuous branching and lovely smooth deep cinnamon bark. Lemon Gum Eucalyptus, E. citriodora is also in this category, with the smooth peeling bark that reveals the powdery white trunks, the statuesque form and wonderfully fragrant citrusy foliage are not bad either. If I had to only pick natives, there are so many here in California that have their own special charm. Valley Oaks, Quercus lobata can be so strongly dramatic in profile in winter, sentinels in the landscape and so provident for wildlife. Really old Coast Live Oaks, Quercus agrifolia can be just as dramatic as a Southern Live Oak for imparting atmosphere and a connection with the past. The California Buckeye, Aesculus californica is also wondrous in winter with its contorted smooth gray branches that contrast so well against both the green hillsides of spring, or the tawny golden hillsides of fall, and the way it is the first to leaf out, often as early as February, and the massively showy blooms later in May. Coast Redwoods commingled with Douglas Firs, Madrones and Big Leaf Maples are also all beautiful in their own right, especially when viewed as a mountain backdrop in the coast hills, and are original growth. There are so many other California native forests and trees that have their own impressive beauty, such as the forests of Monterey Pines and Monterey Cypress on the Monterey Peninsula, or Ponderosa Pines up in the Sierras, with their massive trunks with fragrance of vanilla on a hot day, and such large distinctive cones. Lastly, the Australian imports such as Eucalyptus viminalis and E. globulus have their own charm when seen as remnant windbreaks or boulevard plantings from the turn of the last century, and even more so when they catch the fog and drip it down to those below, effectively mining the clouds of their moisture. I wouldn't want one in my own garden, (for lack of space and unwillingness to have to keep up with the constantly shedding debris), but they are beautiful from a distance. So many trees have their own particular charm, and it is a pity that there are not more mature urban plantings for everyone to really appreciate the beauty that trees can add to a landscape. I often feel fortunate to have grown up on the San Francisco peninsula, in the era that the grand estates with their vast plantings of exotic trees from around the world were still there, and being able to wander the hills as a boy with his dog, and take it all in....See Moretwo new favorite plants/also pressure washing
Comments (11)Keiki - thanks for the info - this variety has no fragrance but the fact that it continually blooms makes up for that. I think I will keep them in pots through the winter and then see how they do. Randy - I have an old pressure washer that I got cheap at WM - called a speed clean but the engine is Briggs and Stratton. It's worked well, with 2200 psi. I wouldn't advise getting this one, however, because the wand has only one nozzle and it's spray is small. It does clean everything I need it too, though, including stepping stones and facia board. When I get going, everything in my path is fair game! If only I could wash off my wrinkles to get "that younger look" you speak of! A friend up north just bought an inexpensive washer at HD - although it is electric but still has 1800 psi - she loves it because it is so portable, but I don't know if it would be able to tackle Florida mold. Hester...See Moretrees and property lines..also flood lights
Comments (12)I'm sorry I haven't responded and thanked you all sooner. I tried twice but for some reason it didn't post. As far as the property line I think it's 5 feet in our city. And the fact that we're in the city makes neighbors close to eachother. We do have an unusually wooded lot however and these particular trees were weed trees and (boxelder?) and were crwdingother trees. they probably would have to have gone sooner or later but it was not a priority for us at all. In fact as I've said I've been doing everything I can do to create a screen so that I don't have to look at their big stupid Mcmansion that they've built in a neighborhood of turn of the century homes. Of course it was their right to do this but it says something about their sensitivity to their surroundings.They built this house and primptly went deeply into debt and were unable to complete landscaping(like retaining walls) or even a garage (they park their cars on the cement foundation that was put in for the garage.) Anyway, after building this house which they obviously couldn't afford in the first place the husband became unemployed in 2001 and hasn't worked or really even left the house since. So, the wife tells us regularly about the fact that they have only one income etc etc. So I was trying to be sensitive and reasonable. Until she called me and basically threatened me about the trees. I figured I'd let her cut them down but she'd have to pay. She was either ignorant to the fact that we weren't obligated to let her remove the trees (let alone help pay for it) or she deliberately tried to mislead us by saying "the city could cite you" I said that's not true but that I would allow her to remove the trees that were leaning towards her property. Of course they started to lean because their roots were exposed by the excavation for their house. I think at this point she thinks we should have contributed to helping with the trees out of sympathy or something. I don't know if the floodlights are some sort of revenge (since they didn't used to leave them on) or they think we shouldn't have gotten a new hot tub when we wouldn't help pay for the trees and so they shine lights to make it unpleasant for us OR perhaps they are trying to catch us skinny dipping I don't know. Believe me we have fantasized about the bb gun thing while sitting in the hot tub. I have since found out about something called light trespass which is illegal and THEY can be cited. I plan to call them this weekend to talk about it. I'll let you all know what happens....See MoreNeed Help With Tree Identification & Also Tree Planting Advice
Comments (4)out of focus really doesnt help ... but it doesnt look like pine to me ... im thinking abies ... fir ... but im cant even feel secure on that with the blur ... where are they ... z5 is half the US ... as trees.. no conifer stops growing at some magical height ... its all about annual growth rate .. and how fast the get to height and go right past it.. most size estimates in conifers is at 10 years .. double the size at 20 .... are there power lines?? why 25'? and how long is the installation ... or are you talking one plant???? one thing for sure.. plant a diversity of plants ... if more than one ... ken...See More
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
User
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoMy favorite is Magnolia grandiflora for its year round endurance despite the weather.
edlincoln
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago
whaas_5a
6 years ago
maackia
6 years agodrrich2
6 years ago(ryanga7a) Ryan M
6 years agolast modified: 6 years ago(ryanga7a) Ryan M
6 years ago
davidrt28 (zone 7)
6 years agoMrs Pete
6 years ago
Dogwood, the NC state tree. I love flowering trees. It grows fast. Its prolific blossoms herald the coming of spring. I also like the pink version.
User
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoI loved my Apple trees.
Had quite a few in years past on my old place. Some have died. Didn't take as many pictures back then. Here's a couple of pics I dug up of one of my HaralRed® trees.
I transplanted it to this spot so I could build a new shed. It was at this spot several years before it started producing profusely. Still a good producer today and much larger tree. Pic possibly from summer 2007?
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoUser
6 years ago
Related Stories
EDIBLE GARDENSHow to Grow 10 Favorite Fruit Trees at Home
Plant a mini orchard in fall, winter or early spring to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree fruit the following year
Full Story
HOUSEPLANTSPilea May Be Your Next Favorite Houseplant
Charming Pilea peperomioides, also called pancake plant or Chinese money plant, makes a big impact with little effort
Full Story
EDIBLE GARDENSGrow Plum Hybrids for Your Favorite Fruit Flavors
Plums are cozying up with apricots, peaches and even cherries — here’s how to grow these hybrids for the best aspects of each
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Skylands Oriental Spruce, a Favorite Conifer
Brighten up a drab corner of your garden with Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’, a smaller spruce that a bird family might just call home
Full Story
HOUSEPLANTS7 Favorite Houseplants That Love an East-Facing Window
Morning light lets houseplants make the most of the sun’s rays without getting burned
Full Story
HOUZZ CALLShow Us a Favorite Wintry Scene Near Your Home
Has winter come to your garden and neighborhood? Please take a photo, share it with us and tell us where you are!
Full Story
GARDENING GUIDES5 Favorite White Roses for a Purely Beautiful Garden
How does your garden glow? With roses that look like light and smell divine
Full Story
HOUSEPLANTS7 Favorite Indoor Plants for West-Facing Windows
These houseplants, and many more, thrive in the bright sun of a window that looks to the west
Full Story
LANDSCAPE DESIGNPatio of the Week: Once Unusable Backyard Is Now a Favorite Spot
Native plants, lovely stone, thoughtful grading and careful planning transform a steeply sloped site in Virginia
Full Story
WHITEDesigner Secrets: 10 Pros Share Favorite Off-White Paints
From creamy white to barely beige, these hues will warm up your room
Full Story
KennsWoods