Any huge tree planting tips?

[ray1970]

I don't even bother raking the leaves off my honey locust. They're so small they pretty much just disappear.

I had an aspen. It lasted for about fifteen years but never got very big and eventually got sick and had to be put down.

I had a huge cottonwood that was awesome for shade but dealing with all the leaves was a real chore. It succumbed to old age and I had to take it down before it fell on my house. Apparently cottonwoods only live for so long and then they just start dying. Or that's what someone told me.

I'm pretty happy with my honey locust. Low maintenance and it grows like a weed. Fifteen years ago it was maybe ten or twelve feet tall and maybe six inches accross at the base. It's gotta be about thirty feet tall now and about fifteen inches at the base.

[Irving]

My neighbor has (I think) a silver Ash and it's a gorgeous tree. Perfect size to cover his whole yard, leaves turn brilliant colors of many shades, then the leaves fall off all at once in a week or less. So fast actually, that is comical, like a cartoon.

[Jim B]

My neighbor has (I think) a silver Ash and it's a gorgeous tree.

The problem with planting ash trees is the Emerald Ash Borer : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_ash_borer

[gnihcraes]

The problem with planting ash trees is the Emerald Ash Borer : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_ash_borer

I have an ash and was seeking professionals to do some trim work on it - everyone just wanted to cut it down. Bug or not. So I just did it myself and will take the chance the bug doesn't get down this far.

[Jim B]

I have an ash and was seeking professionals to do some trim work on it - everyone just wanted to cut it down. Bug or not. So I just did it myself and will take the chance the bug doesn't get down this far.

I wouldn't plant any new ones because of the borer, but I don't see any reason to cut down one that's healthy.

[fitz19d]

My neighbor has (I think) a silver Ash and it's a gorgeous tree. Perfect size to cover his whole yard, leaves turn brilliant colors of many shades, then the leaves fall off all at once in a week or less. So fast actually, that is comical, like a cartoon.

Ya, lots of other interesting tree's, but some including I believe silver ash was on the specific verboten list for some reason. (They had about 8 forbidden tree's then from there restricted to a/b ranked tree's)

Definately going to relook at some of the ones listed in thread next year. Probably doing 2-3 tree's additional the next couple years.

[JohnTRourke]

Linden's are great trees. Very little upkeep required, they pretty much grow in a christmas tree pattern and so far don't get any (or few) bugs and diseases. bit of a slow grower though.

Catalpa's grow very fast if you water them enough (and they want a lot of water). They also get hammered by heavy winds (huge leaves) so if it's not protected from the wind it won't do well.

Oak's do very well. Takes a year or two to get established but then grow like crazy and strong. Also Crimson Blaze maples are a nice touch. amazing red colors in the fall, pretty fast grower and relatively strong with few issues.

Honestly, i'd just plant a cottonwood and be done with it if ti's a new development. Keep it away from your sewer line and your roof line, but by the time it gets huge and uncontrollable you'll be long gone and you'll have enjoyed some shade.

most people plant too close to the house. At least 10' away, preferably 20 would be better. Think about how big these trees are going to be in 20 years.

[Jim B]

I've had the best luck with maples and lindens.