-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have 20 acres of riverfront property overrun with various types of willows. But my house is on a hill, high and dry and this is where I need shade and windbreak. I have no problem rooting the willows in the dry area, but keeping them alive is the problem. I have been debating about bringing up loads of the soil the willows are growing in now, i.e., sand/clay/flood plain, to the areas I want the willows to grow and am wondering if this would work. Any suggestions???
willows thrive on and need LOTS of water and their roots will grow through just about anything to get to a water source. this includes the pipes bringing water into your house, so, planting willows close by is NOT a good idea. some other type of shade tree would be better close to the house.
Last year we planted a Hakura Nishiki (S. Integra) and planted it on the east side of our house. It is a fairly dry spot. With regular watering, it is doing just fine. It does need to be protected from the harsh winter winds so we put a large rock behind it to protect it from wind damage. We are gardening in Z5a. Marg
My favorite trees to grow near a house are oaks. The roots grow deep rather than near the surface. The shade is of an open, "light" type, admitting dappled sunlight which broadens the range of plants that can grow beneath it. And the wood is sturdy, so you don't have to worry about limbs breaking off in a storm and flattening your Subaru. Or whatever.
Do alders or poplars grow in your area? While these trees are pioneer species and short-lived that other trees, they might give you shade and some wind protection. Besides, all living things need water, even eucalyptus trees.
We have both alder and poplars. When we planted them (we have heavy clay) we watered regularly for the first 2 years. Since then they seem to be doing well with rainfall. When it gets really hot and dry, we do water. Have you considered Russian Olive, Elaeagnus angustifolia? These trees are very hardy and drought tolerant. Marg
