We've just bought a house that's on a hill, so there's a retaining wall to help keep the house and yard level. The backyard itself is a blank canvas just waiting for a garden. The first thing I want to do is plant a privacy tree beside a South facing fence. My concern is the retaining wall. I think I need to choose a tree that will only grow to a maximum of 15 ft., and doesn't have superpowered roots (no willows!). I'd like to plant a fruit tree of some kind, but again I want to make sure I choose a tree species that won't damage the wall. Any suggestions regarding tree choice and/or root management?
Why 15' for the tree? View? Also, when a slow tree like Japanese maple reaches 15', were you expecting it to stop growing? Because if would have to die to stop. Odds are, you will need to have some pruning done to retain a slow growing tree. Are your pruning skills good, or would you hire someone to control the growth? Do you want an evergreen tree, or deciduous kind?
Perhaps a picture of the area you will be planting your tree in would help the viewers suggest ideas.
Palmtree ("palm tree" in Vancouver?), You should start by limiting your search to plants that grow in your hardiness zone (zone 7-9?). Will the tree be planted on the upside of the retaining wall? If so, I don't think the roots will will damage the retaining wall as long as it's only 15' (5 meters) high. Two trees that come to mind are Japanese cherry and Yoshino cherry. They match about what your looking for and provide excellent springtime bloom.
Tree shown at "Japanese cherry" linked to above appears to be 'Kanzan' ('Kwanzan'), a garden hybrid, rather than Prunus serrulata, which is a wild species. Various Sato-zakura (Japanese garden cherries) have been listed as forms of P. serrulata in western references but this is technically incorrect.
Would be very careful with ornamental cherry trees from my experience. Large wide spreading surface roots and a tendency to sucker, with the rootstalk generally used locally. Beautiful when blooming , but can be disease prone with our wet climate.
Problems described due to grafting onto sweet cherry (Prunus avium). Some stock now being sold on different, dwarfing 'Gisela' rootstock. Check at garden center. http://www.arthurleej.com/a-Trees of merit.html http://www.arthurleej.com/a-overplanted.html
Ron, understand 'Gisela' is being used for fruit cherry varieties, but are the disease problems also remedied with this rootstalk ?
Ron, you really know your stuff! This forum is jam packed with knowledgeable people who are quick to share. Keep up the good work!
First off, it is a waste of space and time to plant a flowering cherry IN a yard in Vancouver, as we are inundated with the things as street trees, one of which is in front of my house. As Chimera infers, they are pretty for four days but other than that have little (maybe nothing) to recommend them and have plenty of downsides. I'd strongly recommend you try something different. Second, check your site lines carefully before concluding that you have to plant the tree AT the property line where you are concerned about the wall (and where it will impact neighbours), or that just one tree is the best way to achieve privacy. Depending on what you want to screen from whom, you may be able to incorporate or even rely on trees placed elsewhere in the yard, or on carefully placed shrubbery. Third, for tree selection, the best thing is always to go to a couple of local nurseries and see what they have in stock. An internet forum can come up with a host of amazing ideas, but finding the tree you set your heart on by that process is quite anther matter. Nurseries have knowledgeable people and reference books, and in the Vancouver area you will find a host of really interesting options available - I've recently bought a Styrax obassia, a Davidia involucrata, and a Pterostyrax, among others, and there are so many interesting birches, maples, eucalyptuses, and such that I can't imagine not finding anything you like - although selection is thinnest at this time of year, best in Spring. Finally, be clear on your paramaters and limitations and select placement so you are not trying to find the impossible, such as a tree that will not grow beyond 15 feet. And if you DO have to stay under 15 feet, it's not a tree but a flowering shrub you want, such as mock orange (Philadelphus).
Thanks for all the valuable advice. I'd post a picture of the area where I want to plant the tree, but I'm not actually moved into the house as of yet. I'll get some pictures on the weekend. My main concern is the retaining wall. I have absolutely nothing against trees that grow higher than 15 ft.; however, I thought that the larger the tree, the stronger the roots, hence the possibility that they might damage it somehow (or so I've been led to believe). I've looked at other properties using retaining walls, and they have perfectly healthy looking trees on top of their walls, so I'm feeling reassured. I've decided to stay away from fruit trees altogether for this spot. There's always the possibility of using some sort of tall ornamental grass along the fence as well. The idea is to create privacy in the yard using a tree or any other botanical! The grass would probably be the more expedient method. I have a potted Osakazuki I can't wait to give a home in the ground, so it will satisfy my tree-love, at least for the time being :) Thanks for your tips.
If your looking for something colorful , how about a golden chain or Laburnum. They are slow growing , at least around our area they are , they will get taller than 15 feet eventually if left on their own , but with proper care it could be kept at 15 feet or so. They are poisonous if ingested so if you have children it may not be for you.
Stewartia just came to mind. I was up north pruning in Sherwood, Oregon, near Portland a couple of weeks ago, and one landscape had about 6 young Stewartia trees. Usually a "nicely behaved" plant.
