I would like to plant a small (10-20 feet tall & columnar) interesting tree in a shady location (east exposure) close to our homes entry. We live close to Puget Sound in an area of marine influence. Evergreen would be a plus but would consider a deciduous tree if it had striking features durring non leaf bearing months. I appreciate your suggestions.
Eucryphia glutinosa. Try Colvos Creek nursery, Vashon, WA. They have offered it in the past. See their web site for more information. If they don't have it now, maybe later. One of the most glorious of woody plants. A large, erect-branched, deciduous shrub or small tree with pinnate leaves; flowers 6cm across are borne profusely in July and August. Beautiful autumn tints. It is evergreen in the wild. --Hillier Nurseries, The Hillier Manual of Trees & Shrubs (2002, David & Charles, Newton Abbott)
Hi TomA, I can't help but suggest any one of the multitude of Japanese Maple(Acer Palmatum) trees that I have recently grown attached to. The foliage on these trees is so beautiful in every variety I have seen, and they are extremely diverse in their cultivars. Most varieties love the Pacific Northwest and I live in a seaside village and have seen dynamic examples of many Japanese Maples in our community. The first tree is my absolute favourite. www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=2209 and www.paghat.com/lionmaple.html have excellent information. These trees are truly beautiful and unique, and would definitely fit your criteria for a new "small tree recommendation" :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_palmatum was my starting point and in 14 months I now own 4 different varieties each one I am proud of.
That's an error in Hillier's Manual, I've never heard of Eucryphia glutinosa being evergreen. Maybe erroneous reports properly referring to E. cordifolia? The Chilebosque and Florachilena websites certainly both cite it as deciduous: http://www.chilebosque.cl/tree/eglut.html http://www.florachilena.cl/Niv_tax/Angiospermas/Ordenes/Rosales/Eucryphiaceae/glutinosa/Guindo%20Santo.htm If you want an evergreen Eucryphia, try Eucryphia × nymansensis (hybrid E. glutinosa × E. cordifolia). That inherits the evergreen foliage and more columnar shape from E. cordifolia and has the greater hardiness of E. glutinosa.
"Deciduous, semi-evergreen or fully evergreen" --A.L. Jacobson, Trees of Seattle - Second Edition While deciduous is usual in cultivation here, I may have seen some persistence of leaves. Assumed the Hillier comment was based on wild stock growing in a milder climate. Nymans Hybrid Eucryphia grows much larger and would not fit the space. One in Bremerton, WA was 52' tall with an average crown spread of 27' during 1995. "Growth rapid: it can reach nearly 40' in 15 years. But the tops often die in severe freezes, so it begins growing anew from lower down" --Same reference
Thank you, we have a Lions Head Maple in our back yard. It's sun exposure varies by season with 3-4 hours of direct sunlight in the summer and very little in the winter. It was planted 5' in height when -planted and had grown to just under 10' in height in approximately 5-6 years. We enjoy it year round. I would be happy to post a photo if anyone is interested.
There is also a nice one at JM Cellars near Woodinville (up the hill from Chateau St. Michelle), an impressive one on the lawn at VanDusen Botanical Display Garden, and at least three places in Seattle (see Jacobson, Trees of Seattle - Second Edition (2006)) with ones big enough to measure - the tallest of these 18 1/2' tall. A friend in Tacoma had one which, if I remember correctly was 33' tall at one time. However, his wife had a gardening service come in while he was convalescing...
Hi TomA, I sure would love to see your Lion's mane picture so please post! I have also heard that it is spectactular in the fall months and one of the longest to retain it's leaves.. plus a colour change in the trunk?
