Large Trees

Large trees in the landscape are primarily selected for shade purposes. The ideal tree does not exist. A tall tree may have beautiful flowers which may be followed by objectionable fruit or seed pod. A fast growing tree may be brittle and short lived. The first consideration in selecting a tree is to know the tree's characteristics, its growing habits, size, and requirements. Determine the characteristics which best fit the landscape need, and choose the tree accordingly.


Common
Name
Scientific
Name
Size
FeaturesProblems
Red MapleAcer rubrum60 ft. x 45 ft.-deciduous
-red flowers in spring
-winged red fruit following flowers
-will grow in wet or moist conditions
-red, orange and yellow fall color
-general neat appearance
.
Silver MapleAcer saccharinum60 ft. x 40 ft.-deciduous
-yellow-orange, red fall color
-clean in appearance
-easy culture
-fast growth
-brittle branches
-susceptible to insects and fungus diseases
Box ElderAcer negundo40-60 ft.-deciduous
-fast growth
-yellow fall color
-easy culture
-brittle branches
-short lived
-susceptible to diseases
CatalpaCatalpa bignonioides60 ft.-deciduous
-easy culture
-clusters of white flowers in early summer
-seed pod in winter
-large coarse textured leaves
.
GinkgoGinkgo biloba80 ft.-deciduous
-long lived
-very clean
-yellow fall color
-good street tree
-easy culture
-may be difficult to obtain
-slow rate of growth
-must choose the male tree for planting as female has objectionable fruit
PecanCarya varieties60-80 ft.-deciduous
-early to lose leaves and late to make foliage in spring
-nuts
-good shade
-common pecan insects and diseases
-root system may be damaging
SweetgumLiquidambar styraciflua60-80 ft.-deciduous
-fall color
-easy culture
-upright, neat form
-difficult to transplant
-seed balls
Southern MagnoliaMagnolia grandiflora60-80 ft.-long lived
-glossy, evergreen coarse textured foliage
-large white, fragrant blooms beginning in early summer
-attractive seed pod
-relatively slow growth
-susceptible to scale insects and leaf diseases
-prefers acid, loose organic soil
SycamorePlatanus occidentalis80-100 ft.-deciduous
-fast growth
-attractive trunks and limbs
-easy culture
-messy leaf and seed-ball droppage
-susceptible to leaf diseases
-root system can be damaging
Loblolly PinePinus taeda60-80 ft.-relative fast growth
-evergreen--fine textured to allow filtered shade
-easy culture if within native growth area
-susceptible to typical pine insects and diseases
-pollen at bloom may be objectionable
Shortleaf PinePinus echinata40-60 ft.-evergreen
-makes low branched, screening tree
-fast growth
-prefers sandy soils
-susceptible to common pine insects and diseases
Longleaf PinePinus palustris.60-80 ft.-evergreen
-long graceful needles--open character
-ideal specimen tree
-relatively disease free
-slow growth as young tree
Water OakQuercus nigra60-80 ft.-deciduous
-fast growth
-relatively clean
-slow to shed its foliage in winter
-gets heart rot
-dead branches occur
Willow OakQuercus phellos60-80 ft.-deciduous
-long lived
-shiny, green foliage
.
Live OakQuercus virginiana40 ft. x 80 ft.-evergreen
-easy culture
-long lived
-vigorous root system may be damaging
-medium-slow rate of growth
Post OakQuercus stellata60-80 ft.-deciduous
-large stately tree
-easy culture
-long lived
.
Shumard Red OakQuercus shumardi60-80 ft.-deciduous
-good red fall color
-long lived
-very clean in appearance
-easy culture
.
Weeping WillowSalix babylonica50 ft. x 50 ft.-deciduous
-fast growth
-fine textured--graceful form
-excellent accent tree
-yellow fall color
-best in moist conditions
-short lived
-weak wooded
-fiberous root system may be damaging
-because of spread, must allow large growing area
American ElmUlmus americana60-80 ft.-deciduous
-yellow fall color
-good street tree
-easy culture
-fiberous roots may be damaging
Tulip Tree, Yellow PopularLiriodendron tulipifera60-80 ft. x 40 ft.-deciduous
-upright form
-clean and neat in appearance
-yellow fall color
-attractive flowers
-somewhat temperamental in culture
-demands moisture
Bald CypressTaxodium distichum60-80 ft.-deciduous (conifer)
-beautiful new foliage in spring
-will grow in wet conditions
-fine textured foliage
-conical form (not a good shade tree
-easy culture--prefers sun
.
Deodara CedarCedrus deodara60-80 ft.-evergreen
-conical form
-fine textured--graceful branching
-blue-green foliage
-excellent specimen tree
-terminal may die which often mars the beauty of the tree form
-slow rate of growth
-low branched, thus not a good shade tree
HackberryCeltis laevigata50-70 ft.-deciduous
-easy culture
-relatively fast growth
-weak wooded
-berries which birds distribute
Blackgum, Black TupeloNyssa sylvatica60-80 ft.-deciduous
-upright form--horizontal branching
-vivid red fall color
-neat in appearance
-difficult to transplant
-likes moisture and may be temperamental in culture
Arizona AshFraxinus berlandieriana40-60 ft.-deciduous
-rich green foliage
-fast growth
-easy culture
-attractive seed pod
-remains in weak condition several years after planting, thus susceptible to borers


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