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| Recently realized that the shrubs I bought in November are only marginal in my area. These include a paperbark maple, a Harry Lauder Walking Stick, and Jelena Witch Hazel.
I am considering building a fence at the back of my yard, on the north side of my lot. If I plant these shrubs just south of this wall, so that they would be protected against wind and receive full sun, will they be ok? I was thinking of pruning the witch hazel with espalier techniques. Has anyone done this? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Wed, Jan 6, 10 at 13:39
| harry lauder.. contorted filbert.. is fully zone appropriate in my 5a .... as was the witch hazel i had many years ago at another house ... though i dont know what part of the family it was .... can you give the latin on the paper maple??? though i can say Japanese maples are borderline for me ... you may want to check the value of the info you got ... based on the latin names of what you have.. rather than relying on common names.. it might make all the difference in the world what happens.. when they get taller than the fence??? what will be the impact of the winter sun reflecting off the fence ???? good luck!!!! ken |
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- Posted by j3nni4junip3r 5b (My Page) on Wed, Jan 6, 10 at 15:37
| This could be good news. The latin name for the paperbark maple is acer griseum. It is similar to acer triflorum. I bought them at a reputable nursery, so I thought I was all right. But when I checked with the agricultural extension, she said they were just marginal. When I put my zip code into zone finders, it always comes up 5b. But some local authorities like to err on the side of caution and only recommend varieties hardy to zone 4. So maybe that was why she was a little pessimistic. I live in Madison Wisconsin with Lake Monona about a mile to the east and Lake Wingra about a mile to the west. I don't know if that is close enough to get a lake effect. There was a tag on the Witch Hazel that said there would be twig dieback at minus twenty. I am not sure if that means minus twenty with the wind chill or without. Windchills have been getting close to that this week. The paperbark and Harry Lauder are supposed to be slow growing, so it will be some time before they would top the fence. I do wonder if the winter sun could be too much as I hear some evergreens burn up in front of a fence in the winter time. Thanks for the info! |
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- Posted by tsugajunkie 5a SE_WI (My Page) on Wed, Jan 6, 10 at 19:33
| Plants don't feel wind chill, the -20F is actual temps. I would think they'd be fine in most of your winters and marginal only in extreme winters (if even then). tj |
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- Posted by mainegrower Z5b ME (My Page) on Thu, Jan 7, 10 at 5:40
| A fence in this location relative to the plants can actually increase wind velocity because of the turbulence created. The type of fence is also a factor; solid fences are likely to create more turbulence then ones which slow down and filter the wind. These three plants are going to be most vulnerable in your area in the first two or three years after planting. Protecting them with burlap or snow fence in those years would be wise. The combination of cold,sun and wind would be especially hard on the maple's bark. |
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| The Ag. Extension is correct that all those plants would be marginal in a Zone 4 climate. With that said, my little paperbark maple in Minneapolis was unharmed by -25F last winter(#2) so who knows. In some of those hardiness zone finders, my zip comes up as zone 5 because it is in the city, but I know that is pushing it. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Thu, Jan 7, 10 at 8:02
| plants might not FEEL wind chill ... but such can desicate plants.. think old piece of raw chicken in the freezer for too long .... the water gets sucked out of the plant... i call it freeze drying .... so though it might not be a temp issue.. the wind remains a VERY BIG issue .. ken |
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| I Have two Harry Lauder Walking Sticks. One Purple Majestic planted two seasons ago (about 18 inches in height)on the North Side with no shelter of any type. It came through last winter with no die back and looked very fetching all season. The other one, the green cultivar, also planted two seasons ago (at 4' height) is planted on the southwest side, no shade, and in a bit of a wind tunnel, also came through beautifully. Just my experience with this one, sorry I don't have the others. Good Luck Alexis PS. I really like the Purple Majestic HLWS the best. |
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| I believe your in that 5a pocket (surrounded by 4b)...not 5b. Really not much of difference though. I think its already been addressed but you don't have to worry about temps. for the A. griseum. You may have some dieback on the witchhazel during more severe winters, nothing to be concerned about. Personally I despise fences. I guess I can understand if its a necessity...most times they aren't. Have you considered using evergreens as the fence to provide windbreak and act as a backdrop to your decidious plants? |
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- Posted by tsugajunkie 5a SE_WI (My Page) on Thu, Jan 7, 10 at 20:09
| Yes, Ken, I'm sure most here understand the desication wind can create, but that wasn't the question. If you stick to the question, counselor, no chicken in the freezer visuals are needed. LOL. And no SHOUTING either. LOL. What was... in your coffee this morning...anyway?...or not... that should have been? ROTFLMBO. tj |
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- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Fri, Jan 8, 10 at 11:29
| ANY type of structure can/will create a microclimate, including a fence. Planting on the south side of a north facing fence will create a more favorable microclimate due to the effect of reflected heat and any sunlight being given off from the fence. Any kind of consideration as to 'wind turbulence' created by such a fence will depend entirely on the prevailing winds in your area and more specifically, in YOUR garden, and how they may be impacted by other structures (like your house), trees or other windbreaks. |
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