Back Yard Shade Tree
The 80+ year old Silver Maple
tree in the back yard is the primary shade tree in the back
year. However, it's health is slowing deteriorating due to
it's age and topped off branches that have become hollow and sick.
Now it's time to investigate planting a new shade tree that will
provide shade to the house and patio area.
London
Plane Tree Platanus x
acerifolia
[Link]
A cross between our native sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
and the oriental planetree (Platanus orientalis), the
london planetree is good for open areas. It reaches
its mature size (70 to 100 feet tall and up to 120 feet
wide). The peeling bark can range from olive green to
creamy white, with an overall mottled effect; some
consider the bark to be the tree's most ornamental
feature. The Plane trees are large shade trees that are
proven urban performers and have had a long history in
cultivation. They grow rapidly and furnish quick
shade: a 10- to 12- foot tree reaches 20 feet in
about five years and eventually become 40 to 100 feet tall
and can soon become overwhelming.
++ Good
shape and standard trunk ++ Fast Growing
++ Nice foliage -- May overwhelm the house in 30
years. --Seeds may be a problem
Hawthorn
Tree Crataegus
- May not
be tall enough. ++ Good shape and standard trunk
--disease prone --1- to 3-inch thorns;
Common
Hackberry Celtis
occidentalis Native to
most of north America and are extremely easy to
establish. Their tough branches resist breakage by
wind, and because their root systems are deep and do not
disturb sidewalks and other paving, they make excellent
plantings along streets. They grow moderately fast
when young: plated at 6 to 8 feet, they usually reach a height
of 25 to 35 feet with an equal spread in 10 to 15 years;
after that their rate of growth slows. White flowers
in spring; bright red berries persist through winter
. ++ Strong
branches ++ Good shape and standard trunk ++ Fast
growing -- May be too small for space
Maple
Tree
(Red Maple, Blair Maple, Norway Maple, Sugar Maple)
