Could you consider other trees?

I have recently begun to focus in on just what a wonderful shade tree the hybrid sycamore is, AKA London planetree. I think the "bloodgood" is a good specific cultivar.

What is impressing me about this tree right now? Its fast growth, its good form, its overall hardiness, and general toughness. They are very adaptable to different growing conditions/soils.

One drawback is no real fall color. The exfoliating bark is much exaggerated.

Of course if you can get an eastern white oak, or a burr oak or one of the other fine trees in the white oak group, you could go with that.

Or the good old northern red oak is a fine tree.

Well, I could go on and on.

--Spruce

Hi,

We live in similar conditions to what you've described (we're in NV) and I have both the Autumn Blaze and Honeylocust trees. I would definately go with the maple over the Honeylocust. The Honeylocusts here seem to really struggle. Summers are hot, windy and the battle with the spidermites gets tough in these conditions. The maples we have dont seem to have as hard a time.

thank you for the replies. I'm getting closer to a decision! Hurrah! Honeylocust is out. Now I've decided either October Glory or Northern Red Oak. Which has a longer life span and which might be easier to get started?

October glory is probably easier to grow. The NRO has a mature size approximately 50%-100% larger than OGRM with all things being equal.

As for life span... in urban setting, anything's possible.

Check out this link
http://ohioline.osu.edu/b877/b877_77.html

If this is going to be right next to the poultry pen you may want to consider another mulberry. The advantage to the mulberry right next to the chicken pen is that the tree provides free food for the birds in the form of the berries that fall to the ground inside the pen.

As I understand it many farmers used to plant mulberries next to their animal pens for exactly that reason.

As for the debate between the maple or the Northern Red Oak, if you have room g for the oak. It sounds like you are trying to landscape for wildlife and the oak will be much more beneficial for animals than the maple.

Thank you all very much for your help. I've decided to go with a Northern Red Oak. I just read on another post that wilted red maple leaves are toxic to horses. Don't want to take the chance since we have horses around. Also, after talking to more neighbors, many maples have a tendency to winter kill around here within 15 years or so. I also like the idea of another mulberry, but i have to mail order those and all I could find in red mulberry was a twig. I can get the oak from local nursery that's already big. (I want something asap to screen the poultry pen). I just hope i didn't wait too long for planting it. A month ago would have been much better.

It should be fine. Mulch it well - no more than 4" thick, no mulch in the 2-4" next to the trunk, and as wide as possible, at least to the drip line. Water it well, deeply and slowly, and then wait to water until the 3-6 in. of soil next to the root ball is dry. Poke with a finger or a pointed dowel, or dig, to see.

My brother moved a nearly fully leafed out maple a few years ago, about 20' tall - it was sparsely leaved for a couple of years, but is fine now.

That's great news that you found one. Red oak is probably my favorite oak. They grow inthe woods around here but it is virtually impossible to find in garden centers. I've been looking for a couple.

Where are you located if you don't mind my asking? Curious about the maple winterkill comment.

We are northeastern Colo -- dryland, lots of wind and drought. Years & years ago all the farmsteads in this area planted chinese elms and now lots are dieing off. Don't know if it's the elm disease or just natural life span coming to an end. Our row of old elms by the road are almost gone & I have opportunity to replace! Not sure if I want to try several different trees or go with an evergreen windbreak. But, that's a project for next year. I'm working on my immediate yard for now. It's Northern Red Oak I am putting by the poultry pen which is near a corner of house; and I am going to try a flowering crab in front of our picture window. I'm also told they winterkill here too after a while. But I'm going to try it & maybe i'll get lucky. I plan to follow the planting and watering instructions (above) as well as possible! I'm planting a white mulberry and a red mulberry on other side of the poultry pen; also white mulberry middle of our yard. I hope to get everything in & settled within the next few days.

Hi to all, I am having a dilemma in a choosing a tree as well. I have chosen two skyline honey locust but it is not too late to change the order. I love I. Nebraska and see some honey locust that look beautiful, but many look unkempt and scraggily aappear so healthy.

The trees are to go In My back yard which gets good sun. I am also thinking of Armstrong maple for the back which have a tidier appearance and maple seem to do really well here in the Midwest. Just unsure of which tree would be the better, most appealing g tree. The skyline honey locust or the Armstrong maple?