Archive for the ‘Large Shade trees’ Category

Tulip Poplar

Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), aka yellow poplar and tulip tree, is a large stately deciduous tree of eastern North America (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). This fast growing native typically grows 60-90 feet tall and it is not unusual to see tulip trees over 100 feet. It is also an important timber tree. A member of the magnolia family, […]

Native Catalpa Trees

Catalpa Tree Northern catalpa or cigartree (Catalpa speciosa) overpowers most private landscapes by their enormous presence (USDA hardiness zones 4-8). This 40-60 feet large native tree commonly grows along roadsides, particularly on bottomlands from Illinois and Missouri south thru Arkansas and Tennessee. Catalpa is not a tree seen planted in most residential neighborhoods because of […]

Prepare For Storm Damage

A snow/ ice storm is both a beautiful and horrific scene in a landscape. Costly tree/shrub breakage, downed power lines, and subsequent utility shutoffs may be staggering results. Don’t feel powerless! Prepare and take action.  During the storm, do nothing / “hands off”. Working near an active electrical line is deadly. After the storm you should immediately […]

Bald Cypress For A Small Landscape

Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) is well-known as a deciduous conifer native to the southeastern U.S. (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). Pyramidal in form, bald cypress towers over 70 feet tall with a spread up to 50 feet. Bald cypress is naturally found in southeast U.S. swamps, marshlands, lakes, ponds, and other wetlands. On marshy ground, you […]

Shumard Oak

Shumard Oak (Quercus shumardii) is stately landscape tree in the red or black oak group (USDA hardiness zones 5-8). The species is native to moist bottomlands and slopes of the southeastern U.S. Typically, Shumard grows at a moderately fast rate to a height of 40-60 feet (30-40 feet wide) in the landscape. It has a […]

Deciduous Trees With Yellow Fall Leaf Color

While there are numerous trees that offer wonderful yellow fall foliage, some make extraordinary specimens in residential and park landscapes. Enjoy the beautiful yellow and gold tones on a crisp fall day.  Caveat: the quality of fall color may vary from year to year. Big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) – this West Coast Native grows 60-75 […]

Blackgum (Tupelo) – Fall Leaf Color And Fruit Attract Birds And Other Wildlife

Black tupelo, blackgum, or sourgum tree (Nyssa sylvatica), its three common regional names, is native to Eastern North America from the New England states, down south into Florida, and as far west as Eastern Texas (USDA hardiness zones 4-9). Mature blackgums reach heights of 60 feet and taller and 20 – 25 feet width that […]

13 Native Trees For Fall Color

1. Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) – large 60-80 feet tall tree whose fall color is a brilliant mixture of yellows, oranges, purples and reds. Zones (5b)6-9). 2. Black gum, tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) – large 50-50 feet tall tree produces spectacular scarlet fall color. Lots of good cultivars including Green Gable®, ‘Wildfire’ and Red Rage® (Zones […]

Dependable Conifer Trees For Southeast U.S. Landscapes

Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica var. glabra) is a southwestern U.S. conifer tree that is often underplanted. Soil drainage is an absolute must! Growth rate is moderate (15 feet high after 10 years) and eventually will reach 30-50 feet at maturity. (zones 7-9). I have seen multi-year specimens thriving in zone 6b. Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara) is […]

Downtown Street Trees With A Narrow Vertical Form

On the subject of land, Mark Twain wrote: “they’re not making any more of it”. This is particularly true in downtown urban areas where land to grow trees is usually very limited. Here are five tall trees that possess a striking vertical accent. Their upright branch habit does not take up much horizontal space. Trees […]