I speak for the trees!

So one of our Decision Points for the front yard re-landscape is trees. The plan has a large tree up top on the right corner of the patio, and two smaller trees, one in the middle off the sidewalk, the other in the upper left-hand corner by the driveway. Those are 20-30′ and 10-15′ range trees, respectively. Presumably the two smaller ones would be of the same species.

We got one suggestion from the landscapers, and have done some further research on our own. The Internet is both wonderful for this and a huge problem, as it can easily lead to option paralysis (plus trees height can vary in estimate tremendously, as you’ll see, sometimes based, I think, on region, other times on species (mis)identification.

So here’s what we have so far for options (we are, for reference, in USDA hardiness zone 5b, Sunset Zone 2). We consider recommendations from the CSU Extension and Plant Select to be particularly noteworthy.

The Big Tree 

WASATCH (BIGTOOTH, ROCKY MOUNTAIN SUGAR, WESTERN SUGAR, CANYON) MAPLE

• Acer grandidentatum, Acer saccharum grandidentatum, A. g. Nutt.
• 20-30 ft (also given as 10-15 ft; 30-40 ft; 40-50 ft, 30 ft wide; “matures at 10-15 ft but is sometimes taller,” 36-72 ft, “rarely exceeds 25 ft,” 25 ft)
• USDA zones 3-7 (5a-8a?) (native Colorado 7000-8000 ft; grows from 4500)
• References: http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4dmg/Trees/wasatch.htm, http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/ACEGRAA.pdf, http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ACGR3, http://www.maple-trees.com/pages/canyon-maple.php, http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/acegra/all.html, http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ACGR3, http://www.coloradotrees.org/treeomonth/2000/jun_00.htm, http://selectree.calpoly.edu/treedetail_all.lasso?rid=53&-session=selectree:4C782D48162540FD2BUqw1A51B77, http://planetcrimson.net/index.php?topic=1726.0, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_grandidentatum
• Pros: Fall color, reasonably drought-tolerant (“survives in dry sites once established”); mdm growth rate; full sun; no litter problem; no surface roots problem; “outstanding ornamental,” no pests; not invasive; cold- and heat-hardy; holds up to storms; CSU Extension recommended
• Cons: Needs to be trained not to be a shrub; native moist, well-drained soil; size?

‘FRONTIER’ HYBRID ELM

• Ulmus (carpinfolia x parvifolia) ‘Frontier’
• 25 ft high, 15 ft wide (19y) (40h+, 30w) ;
• USDA 5-8
• References: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Newintro/frontie1.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulmus_%27Frontier%27, http://www.coloradotrees.org/treeomonth/2002/feb_02.htm, http://www.trimpines.com/treeoftheweek/frontierelm.htm, http://shade-trees.tripod.com/families/selections/frontier_elm.html, http://www.soonerplantfarm.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=35, http://www.urbanforestryservices.com/proffrontierelm.htm
• Pros: Mdm/fast-growing (12-18″/yr); urban/drought tolerant; disease-resistant; fall color; shade; songbirds; easy to transplant; tolerates poor soil; no seeds
• Cons: Avg water soil, well-drained; elm beetle resistance only moderate; potential winter damage

The Smaller Trees 

TATARIAN MAPLE (“HOT WINGS”)

• Acer tataricum “GarAnn”
• 15-18 ft in 12y (30 ft; 20′ x 20′)
• USDA 4-10 (up to 7000′)
• References: http://www.ext.colostate.edu/ptlk/2035.html, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_tataricum, http://www.hort.uconn.edu/Plants/a/acetat/acetat1.html, http://www.coloradonga.org/documents/Week_2_PS_Hot_Wings_Tartarian_Maple.pdf; http://129.82.181.23/plant_details.php?plant_number=81; http://www.freepatentsonline.com/PP15023.html
• Pros: Plant Select 2007; red seeds mid-summer; sturdy; tolerates dry soil; adaptable; good in cold; tolerates alkaline soils; sturdy; CSU Extension recommended
• Cons: Slow growth; invasive? (in Connecticut); seedlings

PRINCESS KAY (P. K. CANADA) PLUM

• Prunus nigra
• 15-20 ft high, 12-15 ft spread (10-15 ft) (20-30 FT)
• USDA 3-9 (7000 ft) (3a) (2-6) (4b-9)
• References: http://www.coloradotrees.org/treeomonth/2003/may_03.htm, http://www.mnpower.com/treebook/fact80.html, http://129.82.181.23/plant_details.php?comment=no&plant_number=32, http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pd_cd04.html, http://www.gulleygreenhouse.com/princess_kay_plum.html
• Pros: Plant Select 2000; spring blooms, fragrant; some fall color; moderate/fast-growing; minimum fruit; tolerates wind; wonderful name 🙂
• Cons: Root suckers; normal-moist soil, well-drained, not very drought-tolerant; potential insect/disease problems

BALI (EVANS, BALI EVANS, EVANS SOUR) CHERRY

• Prunus ‘Evans’, Prunus ‘Bali’, Prunus Cerasus ‘Evans’
• 10-15 ft, 10 ft wide, 2 ft from ground (15-20 ft)
• USDA Zone 3-8 (light soils. no, heavy soils. sandy soils, maybe. poor soils; if in good soil, plant grass on top)
• References: http://timberglade.typepad.com/outside/2007/08/evans-bali-cher.html, http://www.northscaping.com/Tools/LPS-Engine.asp?CCID=10000000&page=pdp&PID=338, http://www.northscaping.com/InfoZone/FS-0097/FS-0097.shtml, http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/showthread.php?t=8664, http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=dca25d83-e932-4154-9a9d-898a17eeda44&k=21361, http://www.dnagardens.com/Articles/cherry_evans_tips.htm
• Pros:  Sour cherries, good for cooking, birds; fall foliage; extremely hardy; showy fruit, slow to drop; mdm growth; 30y age; “thrives on neglect”; top-selling fruit tree in Canada; self-polinating; hardy (when drought-stressed in late summer); recommended by the landscaper.
• Cons: Well-drained; fruit do drop (mess); average to moist soil; suckering

So, that’s what we got. If anyone in the studio audience has some experience with any of these, I welcome hearing about it. My personal inclination (not yet agreed-upon with Margie) is the Wasatch Maple for the big tree, but I keep going in circles for the smaller ones.