Random positioning with some odd grouping is probably the most natural look and I might do it less formally than in two staggered rows.

I do like the idea of a preponderance of one species over the others - that is also a more naturalistic approach - but maybe I'm missing something with the bald cypress providing better winter screening. I wouldn't consider any of these choices very good in that regard.

FWIW, plants/trees are not very useful for removing or absorbing excess water - they only take up what they need.

I agree with everything GG said. If you are set on the selections you've chosen, that's fine, but, if we knew where you were, we might be able to help you choose some additional or even better choices. The hybrid poplars may have the advantage of growing quickly, but do realize that they have the disadvantage of dying soon (some more so than others).

I'm in East TN. Some years the water has been as high as the spot I took the picture. I didn't pick evergreens since I couldn't find one with foliage that grows back after prolonged immersion. My priority was to get summer visual/sound screening, transpiration of lots of water and still be visually appealing. I thought the bald cypress had a little more winter screening, but I agree it's a wash. I may add some trees to the higher-level pasture in future, but wanted to put most the trees for this effort near the fence. I like the idea of a random combination with some groupings. I would be glad to hear about any other trees I should be thinking about or other trees I might want to drop.

Ralph

The trees you listed sound good, and I also agree with random placements with some odd groupings. One thing I've noticed, with the exception of the sweetgum, all the trees listed have kind of small foliage. Maybe adding Swamp Chestnut Oak or Sycamore would make it more mixed since they have larger leaves. If it were up to me, I would scratch the hybrid poplar completely, and go with Sycamore instead, but that's just my personal preference.

This post was edited by Ruffles78 on Sun, Aug 11, 13 at 19:35

Nyssa sylvatica for the semi flooded area and nyssa aquatica maybe mixed in? Generic acer rubrum is known as swamp maple in some areas.

I think you have received sound advice. Semi random groups. I like sight lines.

Just thinking outside the box, If you are considerably bored I suppose you could line metasequoias up with solstice positions when viewed from your porch.

I am planning on at least 50% bald cypress since they provide better winter screening.

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how does a deciduous tree offer such????

what is your soil type ...

i had a yard.. that flooded 6 inches... every spring at snow melt ... for a week.. when the soil was still frozen.. and everything dormant.. and NEVER lost a plant .... so.. your presumption about selection due to random flooding.. might not hold sway ...

what is growing in these areas now... what trees???/ .. if any ....

ken

Thanks for the ongoing tips. I think the pH is 6.6, but it may be as high as 6.8 (I can't find the test). There are several inches of medium texture soil with clay below. My flooding is usually during summer. I thought I would stick with mostly flood tolerant trees but I would put in a few trees that aren't flood intolerant. I did include a picture of two trees that have survived multi-week floods on the property, but I don't know what they are. One tree (not in picture) is a Willow, but I left it off my list since it requires a lot of clean-up.

Right a silver maple? My neighbor had two last for fifty years down in the damp portion of his yard. No standing water. I like silver maple actually and it looks like you have the room.

I like sweetbay (silverleaf) magnolias and cyrillas.