We have two weeping willows at the foot of our property that are getting too big for comfort on our small lot and will have to be taken down in the next year or two. We do want trees in this location, however, as they block our exposure to an industrial view and provide significant privacy. The trees are in an east-west orientation with the easterly tree shaded a bit from the morning sun by a nearby house, and from the afternoon sun by the other tree. So one question about managing the replacement process is: which tree first? I'm not a big fan of moonscape and would like to do one tree at a time. Obviously a baby tree being planted on the easterly side is going to be growing in the shade of the westerly tree - but will be in sun once the westerly tree is also removed. I am also a little concerned that leaving either tree standing solo will render it more vulnerable to being toppled by wind (in light of last night's windstorm - whew!). The trees get full sun from the south, but the easterly one is obviously bothered by the shade, always trying to grow OVER the western one, gaining way too much height each year. Then there is the question of what tree to plant in their place. We like the weeping look and have considered a weeping birch instead. Not the little decorative ones that don't seem to exceed 12 feet or so, but big specimens that in some cases match a willow for size. I don't know if it's a species or a cultivar, nor at what age they are likely to achieve that size. I also don't know anything about the nature of birches, except that they are held to be messy, but I think the willows have inured us to that. Can anyone enlighten me as to growth rate and other insights into the nature of these weeping birches? Do they self-seed much? These trees also grow over sewer lines where the willow roots have been very problematic; are birch roots likely to behave the same way? Finally, although we have not had any major branch breakage in the 15 years we've been here, I have heard that willows are brittle and prone to breakage - how do birches compare on this front? Any thoughts on strategy or selection would be much appreciated.
Hi, we moved into a house with one of the big birches 3 years ago, and it grows fast! I also love its tiered 'skirt' that sways back and forth in the breeze, leaving the under-the-skirt area open like (my cats love that!). I call it the 'witch' tree because it's so weird looking, and have been amazed, considering the horrendous winds we get here in NS at times, that very little has ever come off it but very, very thin branch pieces (none of the big ones or even anything bigger than a pencil) and I just love it!
I think the birch you are thinking of, is the European white birch. Typcically, one or a few upright leaders, and the smaller twigs and limbs tend to drape down. They do produce some seedings, but my experience finds that they don't come close maple in most cases, as far as producing a seedling problem in landscaping. Do you liike evergreens? Hemlock trees have branch ends that tend to droop. Hemlock is an understory tree, so it can be started in the shade of an existing tree which will be removed later.
Thanks for the voice of experience and the suggestions, Rima and Mario. I do love hemlocks, but want to stick with deciduous trees here as I don't want to put a towering conifer so close to the neighbour's house - our other neighbour has one that threatens to fall on us and I don't enjoy the feeling. Sounds like the birch too might outgrow the space, so I will look into some deciduous understory trees. Thanks again for the input.
>We like the weeping look and have considered a weeping birch instead.< Maybe check out 'Morioka Weeping' Katsura tree. It's the one sold as C. magnificum 'Pendulum'. It pulls itself up, unlike most (all?) other weeping Katsura trees on the market. Young's weeping birch sometimes also breaks out of the mushroom shape with age to make an interesting specimen, as do some weeping cherry trees. The birch would have the considerable advantage of colorful bark in winter, but would still be a European birch, with small, aphid-susceptible leaves apt to produce a thin, tired and dirty appearance in summer.
Thanks Paul... I guess because the willow doesn't flower (to speak of) I hadn't much considered flowering trees. Will check the stats on the styrax in particular. The Katsura is an interesting thought, Ron; I had thought about Katsura but didn't know of that cultivar and the according to the photo below, the shape might be perfect. The comments following the photo suggest it might be a threat to sewer lines, however. The tree book I'm looking through describes some trees as having taproots (Oaks?) and so I'm starting to wonder if that's the right direction. Not weeping, but also no annual sewer clearing. Tradeoffs have to be made... http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/2006/04/cercidiphyllum_japonicum_morioka_weeping.php
The sewer connection where the roots get in is probably within 12 feet of where this willow tree stands. I guess you could call that vulnerable. Merry Christmas!
The neighbor's western red cedar roots into our outbound pipe and clogs it at least once per year. If it could not get into it somehow there would not be a problem.
Karina, If you are thinking of styrax, then take a look at Styrax Obassa, as it provides more shade and also more fragrance than Styrax Japonica. Have you considered the genera Cornus? C. Cornellian Cherry is the first tree to bloom in spring with a flush of yellow flowers all over its trunk and branches (much like our red buds) and you get bright red elongated cherries come Oct/Nov. Also its trunk can be shaped into bonsai designs it is fast growing, and can be started as an understorey plant.
My neighbour and I planted a robinia "Fresia" (excuse the spelling) between our properties. We really like it. It grew quickly, has lime green foliage and two years ago started blooming (very sweet scent). My neighbour likes it so much, she has planted another in her backyard. The only downside I have noticed is a tendency to drop some leaves all summer (not a lot) and it is the first to defoliate in the fall and the last to leaf out in the spring. It needs to be limbed up if you don't want a canopy that touches the ground. It is stunning next to a dark purple leafed tree (smoke tree on one side and a purple leafed plum on the other) WCG
Re Styrax Japonica, we have one that is very full, tall and fragrant, the fragrance stays for a long time. It provides nice shade in the area where it is planted.
'Trees that merit planting in Seattle' http://www.arthurleej.com/a-Trees of merit.html 'Overplanted in Seattle' http://www.arthurleej.com/a-overplanted.html
