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What large spreading shade trees are left?
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Posted by
sujiwan 6 PA (
My Page) on
Sun, Apr 8, 12 at 12:33
| I lost most of my ancient white ash tree when the remnants of a hurricane whooshed through PA. I have to think about a replacement tree since that is the only shade tree on the south side of the farm house. I'm looking for something that won't interfere with the young dogwood that was planted nearby; the ash was great as the dogwood liked the high filtered shade it cast. There was enough light for shrub roses to grow. And, the fall color was unique plus there was no raking required.
So, what can I plant? I really like the white ash but should I discount it due to the Emerald Ash borer possibility?
The oaks have the decline issues, wilt and galls.
Maple shade is too dense, the roots interfere with the gardens below and something is killing the neighbor's sugar maple (bark is moist, black and disengaging from the wood beneath).
What to do?
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: What large spreading shade trees are left?
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| Pecan grow there? Will it reach over your home? |
RE: What large spreading shade trees are left?
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| Not the southern pecan. I have hybrid northern pecans in my nut orchard, but they have been extremely slow growing in south central PA. I know why you suggested a pecan though-in South Carolina they can become quite a magnificent tree. |
RE: What large spreading shade trees are left?
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| There are several possibilities depending on your taste and the degree of shade you want. Gleditsia tricanthos inermis is one. Thornless honey locust. It can get large, casts a very diffuse light shade. Kentucky coffee tree is often listed as an alternative to ash and elm. I personally don't 'see' the attraction. I have one and it's not my fav, but interesting. |
RE: What large spreading shade trees are left?
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| Catalpa to your liking? It gets reasonable sized and is not densly branched. |
Here is a link that might be useful: catalpa
Not great for grass but
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| Fagus grandifloria? Did I spell that right? You will have to limb it up to grow grass under it but American beech. Or even its European cousin. In Ohio Dawes has quite the collection of them. Impressive. |
Here is a link that might be useful: American Beech
tulip tree?
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| This one was right under sweetgum on the list in Latin. Tulip trees are one of my favorites. My neighbor has one that even colors nicely in fall. I say pick from the nursery in fall because some do not color so well and I know no cultivars for fall colors. |
Here is a link that might be useful: tulip tree
RE: What large spreading shade trees are left?
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Toronado, I have catalpa in my yard in the back and also 2 liriodendrons (tulip trees) in my front yard but not where the house would be shaded. I adore the American Beech, but all the ones I've seen have had vast areas of roots running along the surface! Beech trees are such good "nurse" trees, enriching the soil that I would like to find a spot for one somewhere!
After some online research today, I think I would like to try the Princeton Elm or , if the multiple trunk issue could be pruned appropriately, a zelkova cultivar. There's at least one that has nice fall color in the reddish/maroon tones that my ash does. The zelkova might be a bit too densely leaved though. |
RE: What large spreading shade trees are left?
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| I feel for you, suj. White ash are magnificent trees and their demise if/when the EAB gets to any given area is a real loss. Maybe one or the other hybrid and /or disease-resistant elms could do the job for you. Autumn Blaze maple, or similar freemanii cultivars, while probably being overplanted today, are worthy trees in the right spot. Shade is not quite so dense as that of sugar or Norway maples. Bitternut hickory, if you can source it, is an amazing tree IMO. I'd like to plant some of them myself. And oaks, while indeed liable to the issues you mentioned, are still a worthwhile group to investigate. I have yet to see, for example, any problems whatsoever with the numerous swamp white oaks we've planted. And I've got a soft spot for northern red oak too. +oM |
RE: What large spreading shade trees are left?
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| I am in SW Pa and haven't had any oak wilt problems as of yet. Is there a problem in your area, or are you just afraid there could be? I hope it's not a problem in Pa. The white oak family has better resistance to wilt/decline according to articles I've read. Beech is slow growing (american) European has been said to grow faster. London plane and Sycamore? They may be too big or thirsty if near a garden. A couple Dawn redwood, one wouldn't shade very much, no raking with them. Japanese pagoda tree? If I had room I would try one. |
RE: What large spreading shade trees are left?
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Oak wilt is said to be a problem west of the Susquehanna and a Penn State Extension notice has indicated that my county is in the affected area. I have one oak (Pin oak), but I don't notice many people growing them in their yards around me. I do see white oaks en route though.
I have weigted the Sycamore idea-- I like the bark. I'm not sure how the leaf clean up is for them (with such big leaves) if they smother everything below? My main experience with Sycamores is either as a street tree (lots of little balls to turn one's ankle on the sidewalk) or as stream side trees of great size. I think there may be some improved cultivars but I would have to know more. I will have to look at Dawn Redwood. I am not familiar with them being used in the area. Pagoda trees in Texas had a lot of litter from falling fruit, leaves, stems, twigs, etc. THanks for weighing in. |
RE: What large spreading shade trees are left?
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| London plane tree would be a good option, they have interesting bark and with age tend to cast diffused light. Even Sycamore would be good if you can deal with the droppings. Honey locust would be good for a diffuse shade, but they aren't particularly long-lived. As you stated, one of the disease-resistant elms would also be an excellent choice. I think you have a lot of options open to you, I'm jealous! I wouldn't write oaks off. As far as I'm aware, oak wilt is a problem but it is not nearly as rampant a problem as are some of the other American trees (elm, ash, etc.) Definitely no Ash. |
RE: What large spreading shade trees are left?
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| Elms were the quintessential shade tree until Dutch Elm Disease killed most of them. Among the resistant cultivars, I like the habit of Jefferson the most. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Resistant elms
RE: What large spreading shade trees are left?
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| I love beech but they are slow growing and have DENSE shade (you dont want to grow dogwood under it i would guess). Some of the trees that HAD all died are making a comeback due to reseach - like the American Elm (i have some valley forge, and someone else mentioned princton varieties) - not sure if elm yellows is an issue around there though. Also, what about hybrid resistant American Chestnut? Plus both chestnut and elm grow fast and aren't too weedy (break off and have invasive roots) like cottonwood, willow or sycamore. |
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