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| I put a 'forest pansy' redbud tree in my small front yard, but (long story) it got a little bit buried and is now dying from crown rot. Seeing as I'm going to have to replace it, I'm now wondering if I should go with a different tree. I've been seeing a lot of comments about how redbud reseeds prolifically, which sounds like a pain.
The tree needs to stay under 25 feet; grow reasonably fast (japanese maples, sadly, are out); have a spreading form; create dappled (rather than total) shade; and be comfortable with cool summer coastal weather. Obviously the forest pansy has burgundy leaves, but that's not a requirement. I've got a lot of ants, so trees that are popular with ants and aphids are probably not my best choice. Any good choices come to mind? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| I was thinking one of the lavateras (tree mallows) until you got to the aphid part, it does get those & scale with ants around sometimes. But I'm sure your costal view would look just like this with one, right?
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| Heh, heh; I *wish* my view were *anything* like that! My view is of the across-the-street-neighbor's steel fence and residential junkyard; it's coastal only in the sense that the cool fog rolls in from the SF Bay a mile away. I got thinking about small maples that might be faster-growing than Japanese maples; don't know anything about these but have made a note of: Trident Maple (Acer buergeranum) |
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| If you want one that flowers, how about Prunus cerasifera "Krauter Vesuvius," or Prunus blireiana or Chionanthus retusus, or one of the Lagerstroemias? Otherwise, perhaps Liquidambar styracaflua "Cherokee" (although this may eventually get taller than you might like) or a European weeping birch? Kay |
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- Posted by landperson 9 CA (My Page) on Wed, Jul 20, 11 at 20:54
| Hi there. I found this thread because I am also looking to add another smallish tree. Today a 60' maple came down and the lack of at least some places of shade is going to irritate a lot of my shade-loving plants....not to mention me. Since an earlier post mentioned the Trident Maple, I can say that it has grown steadily and nicely in my front yard. It was a good choice. Others that you might enjoy would be the Smoke Tree (cotinus), Fringe Tree, Western Redbud. They are all small and attractive and do well here just 50 miles north of SF. Now back to my search for yet another tree before I decide to get another one that I already have..... Susan |
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- Posted by hosenemesis SoCal Sunset 19 USDA (My Page) on Thu, Jul 21, 11 at 1:04
| I like my Fringe tree. It has a nice shape, lovely flowers, pretty foliage- it's the best tree on the property. Renee |
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| I am happy with my Chitalpa, for a long blooming deciduous small tree. My favorite evergreen shade tree is the Arbutus Marina, which has beautiful foliage and lovely red bark and form. To keep under 25 feet would require pruning every few years. Neither has a problem with ants. Al |
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- Posted by landperson 9 CA (My Page) on Thu, Jul 21, 11 at 10:38
| Hey, Al, I think you are almost a neighbor, so tell me a bit more about the Chitalpa. Did you find it locally? How long have you had it? It looks lovely and would complement all of the roses and other bloomers. I favor deciduous trees, so all in all it sounds like a winner. Susan |
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- Posted by landperson 9 CA (My Page) on Thu, Jul 21, 11 at 10:55
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- Posted by landperson 9 CA (My Page) on Thu, Jul 21, 11 at 17:37
| at one of my very favorite local nurseries (Peacock Horticultural) Acacia Stenophylla And yes, I got all three.....:-))))) Susan |
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 Uploaded with ImageShack.us |
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- Posted by landperson 9 CA (My Page) on Fri, Jul 22, 11 at 10:53
| Thanks, Al In the picture it looks a bit like an Oleander but with prettier softer flowers. Susan |
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