Replacement ideas for shade trees

16 years ago

Reading the posting on the Modesto Ash reminded me of my problem. I have a lot approximately 130 feet wide, fronting the street. Along this 130 feet is spaced three Modesto Ash trees, which were probably planted somewhere around the time of the age of the house, which is 1957.

Two of the trees have exceeded their lifespan. Their trunks are rotten with hollow spots. These trees are huge, two people couldn't reach hands around them. When we bought the house in 2003, we had the tree guy cable the trunks so we could get a few more years out of them. I now think this is the winter to take them down and out.

This part of our property faces West and the trees provide shade along most of the house in the afternoon, protecting from the summer heat.

I'm planning on replacing them with big box trees, probably 26" or larger boxes, because I don't have a lifetime for little trees to get bigger. What trees would you recommend? Here's my criteria:

1. Minimal pest involvement. Doesn't attract aphids that cause honeydew.

2. Decidious

3. Will provide shade, but not be messy with flowers or seeds

4. Can exist in a lawn environment

5. Be somewhat fast growing without being a weak tree

6. Resistant to mistletoe infestation

I am initially considering london plane, several oak varieties, or zelkova.

What do you suggest, also considering the valley heat? I don't want white mulberry.

Thanks,

Elaine

Here is a link that might be useful: Photos of Modesto Ash Trees

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Comments (6)

vall3fam
Original Author
16 years ago
Oops! Let see if this photolink works!

Here is a link that might be useful: modesto ash
hosenemesis
16 years ago
Hi Elaine,
The photos don't work, but I have nightmares about Modesto Ash trees so I don't need to see photos.

I would plant sycamores. They are so lovely. I can't believe how fast my girlfriend Melanie's new sycamores have been growing, and she bought 15 gallon trees. I love both the upright and the falling-over varieties. They do get huge, though, and there is some mistletoe in my neighbor's really big one. The leaf litter is minimal since the leaves are so big.

I would not choose oaks. Too many baby oak trees, and the pollen from some varieties is absolutely unbelievable. My mom's patio is thick with pollen for weeks and weeks when the city's oaks bloom behind her house. I mean a lot of pollen- an eighth of an inch thick pollen inside of a week. Sorry I don't know the variety- it's small and compact for an oak, and definitely not stately or beautiful like coast live oaks or white oaks.

Renee
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calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
16 years ago
Planted around the capital in Sacramento are a variety of beautiful shade trees. I am sure they have tours with trained docents to explain the trees. It would be good to be able to see the tree at maturity and may help avoid a mistake. Our property was developed in 1957 and we have many trees planted at that time, some good and some not. Hindsight is no help. Al
wanda
16 years ago
Here's a link with some good info.

Here is a link that might be useful: trees
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
16 years ago
Here's a "tree selector" from Cal Poly, it looks pretty helpful.

Here is a link that might be useful: cal poly tree selector
Dick_Sonia
16 years ago
Cotinus obovatus is one of my favorites for hot dry sites. It hasn't always been easy to find, but has become more common in recent years.