Columnar English Oak

17 years ago

Did a GardenWeb search. Not much help.

Need pros and cons on a Quercus robur 'Fastigiata'.

Had a 7 year old Cercis canadensis that didn't make it through our tough winter and cold,WINDY & still WET spring. It set flower buds then froze, now nothing. Have suspected for last few years it was going to root strangle itsself. Can visiually see the root wrapping around the root flare. This possible replacement oak will be setting in the middle of large, mature hostas. I don't want any root competetion, so this is why I'm interested in the columnar oak.

Planting site: Sunny from 10:00 till 4:00, black loam, S.W. corner of two story house, no wind protection, sewer lines within 10 ft., nothing overhead, urban neighborhood (old homes). Is this oak a good choice?

Ken, if you're reading, you're a hosta grower, what are your thoughts? I need a little shade for my hostas.

I lurk here often. So thanks in advance.

Kate

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

marymd7
17 years ago
There are several planted as street trees on some busy streets in Washington, DC. They are really, well, columnar -- weirdly so IMO. They work pretty well in the application they're used for in DC, but this is not a tree that will give you a shade canopy for hostas.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
17 years ago
i love oaks for gardening under ...

no experience with this one..

what is the potential width.. and how far from the house are you considering ...

newer sealed sewer lines.. or septic field?? no tree should be that close to a field ...

i would not feed the hosta ever again.. if you want the tree to ignore them.. if you fert the plants under the tree... you can figure out where it will grow roots ...

i wonder what the understock is ...

my oaks.. love my hot dry sand.. i do NOT know if they will appreciate.. as a babe ... the wet black loam ...

6 hours of sun is not bad.. but it isnt that great.. i do NOT know the shade tolerance of oak ... just listing variables that come to mind ..

good luck

ken
Related Professionals
Bloomington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Portsmouth Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Quincy Landscape Contractors · Athens Landscape Contractors · Waterbury Landscape Contractors · Brainerd Landscape Contractors · Utica Landscape Contractors · Salinas Landscape Contractors · Stockton Landscape Contractors · Saint George Landscape Contractors · Bainbridge Home Additions · Gaithersburg Home Additions · Augusta Home Additions · Green Bay Home Additions · Hudson Home Additions
whirlwind_5bia
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the response marymd & Ken.

marymd: as the sun moves from East to West, it should provide just enough shade. (a little time-out from the sun), for my hostas.

Ken:
Potential width - 10-15 ft. Have already accounted for that.
Sealed sewer lines. Not a problem there.
When & IF I feed my hostas, I broadcast milorginite.
Also questioned the understock(?). No information yet.

Thanks again for the replies. Think I'll give it a try. If it doesn't perform what I'm trying to achive, there is always the chainsaw. :-) Kate
iforgotitsonevermind
17 years ago
Not my favorite.
There are mixed reviews on columnar english oak. Besides they hold their leaves all winter. (yuck raking in spring)

Instead, here's a neat new selection I just saw a few days ago.
Q. palistrus 'Green Pillar'
A columnar pin oak! How cool is that?
Embothrium
17 years ago
Or try this one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Crimson Spire Oak
whirlwind_5bia
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you iforgot & bboy for the suggestions. But both those trees may prove to be a little wider at maturity and may cause future problems. DH really was "smitten" with the "smallish" blue/green leaf. Really cute. As for raking in the spring... we have a White Swamp Oak and a Northern Red Oak and numerous other trees as well as a gazillion hostas in the yard....what's one more (or two):-)
Kate