Looking for a new tree for my backyard
Miles Knowlton
4 years ago
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Yardvaark
4 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years agoRelated Discussions
please help with shrub/tree suggestions for my backyard
Comments (3)Be aware that while the Grewia can be kept fairly narrow if trained as an espalier, if not so trained it will grow as a wide bush. I'd suggest starting off with espalier trained 5 or 15 gallon size from the nursery. This shrub may also drop some foliage in your freezes, but is generally safe to use as an evergreen hedge if you seldom drop below 27ðF or so. Your much warmer winter days may give you better evergreen character in winter, they can tend to thin out a bit in colder winters here in northern California. As to amending your soil, it depends on what you have to start with. First thing is to dig any planting pit at least 2 to 3 times wider than your container size, but no deeper, and flood test to see that water drains fully within a couple of hours. I generally do amend the backfill 50% with aged compost or similar, but current horticultural research says this is unnecessary, and a surface application of compost as mulch is more beneficial, repeated once or twice a year. I'd suggest you get a copy of the Sunset Western Garden Book as a good general reference for your gardening and plant questions, it should answer most any gardening question you might have....See Morenew apartments looking into backyard
Comments (14)"And if you're lucky, the apartment complex will have landscaping that will include some trees--that will make screening from your side much easier." There may be a landscaping plan on file as part of the approved plans available for viewing at the local town hall. I would recommend checking. Since the project is already into construction, the ability for an abutter to make landscaping suggestions at this point has probably come-and-gone unless the developer is unusually receptive. But this need not necessarily be left to chance. In my state (MA), many communities have adopted Site Plan Review bylaws and regulations that would allow for reviewing landscaping plans as part of that process before any construction can begin. Personally speaking, as a local Planning Board member, I have a responsibility to listen to abutter's concerns including visual impacts and then try and work with the applicant to mitigate reasonable concerns which could include landscaping options. However, the time and place to be properly heard is at the corresponding public hearing, not during construction....See MoreLooking for Shade Tree - Fairly Small Backyard
Comments (16)Thanks Ken, I'll do some more research online. I agree, I'm not looking for a very fast growing tree as I know the problems with such trees. I'm fine with 2-3' of growth each year. It just looks like most Oaks will outgrow my yard, probably not while I'm in the house but I don't want it to be a problem for the next owner. The tree would be 20-30' from my house and my neighbors. I would be sold on the Blackgum but they are hard to find and hard to transplant. I'd hate to waste another year on a Blackgum that ends up dying, but maybe I'm worrying too much. As for the Shantung maple, I don't need to plant anything under it, but it may be somewhat close to a stone patio I will install in the near future, so I wouldn't want the roots to become a problem with that. So I think I'm between Blackgum and Shantung Maple now. Eastern Redbud is another option, but from what I read they are relatively short-lived. Am I right in avoiding Oaks due to the size? Or will it look ok 30-50 years from now towering over my house?...See MoreLooking for the smallest possible "christmas tree" for backyard
Comments (17)Wander thru this site. If you want it to stay small, you will have to buy dwarf. If you don't want to wait for it to get to a good size, you will have to fork out $$$'s. https://www.coniferkingdom.com/dwarf-conifers/ Here is one they sell. It is in a 7 gallon pot and is $399. It grows about 3 to 5 inches per year. I know nothing about this company. https://www.coniferkingdom.com/abies-nordmanniana-silver-del/ ETA: I can't grow most of these in North Alabama even if the zone is okay. The heat, humidity, and bugs kill them. I had a Dwarf Alberta Spruce that did well for years. It was my little outdoor Christmas Tree. Last summer's drought killed it. The spider mites moved in and it gave up last fall. Nothing I did helped....See MoreMiles Knowlton
4 years agoYardvaark
4 years agoEmbothrium
4 years agodjacob Z6a SE WI
4 years agoMiles Knowlton
4 years agoYardvaark
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5