Hi Imp,

Do you know why the redbuds have not done well? It would be best if you could figure out what the problem might be, so you can avoid repeating it with the next tree or trees you plant there. When you say they haven't done well....what has been wrong? Do they not grow? Do they get diseased? Do they seem to suffer from some sort of nutritional deficiency?

What kind of soil do you have? Clay? Sand? Loam? A mix? Do you have any idea if your soil is acidic, neutral or alkaline? Do you know the pH of your soil?

What do you want to achieve with the tree or trees other than vertical interest? Do you want strong vertical interest, like three narrow evergreens? Or, do you want trees that will have a broader crown? Are you looking for trees that will have autumn color? Or, are you looking for something that will bloom at some point in the year? Also, do you want something that will provide screening?

How about maintenance? Do you want a tree or trees that will require minimal maintenance? Can you irrigate the trees to help them get established?

I know that I have asked a lot of questions, but there is a reason why I ask them. First, whenever you are replacing a tree or trees that haven't grown well, you obviously are hoping for a better outcome with the next trees planted there. In order for that to happen, you have to analyze what went wrong with the first set of trees so you can avoid having that problem again.

Secondly, in order for anyone to recommend trees that might do well for you, we need to know both what the growing conditions will be as well as what your expectations are.
I would hate to recommend a tree that absolutely must have deep, sandy loam and lots of irrigation for the first few years if what you have is thin topsoil on top of lots of rock and a very low annual rainfall. So, if you can explain what your berm and your yard is like, we can come up with trees that should do well there.

Dawn

OK, I'll try. The berm is about 2 feet tall x 4 feet wide in a curve that takes up most of the south end of the front yard amd much of the west yard along the street. (the berm has been there about 5 years). The berm is all nice garden ready compost and is full of plants requiring sun. Plants are very happy there. Under the berm is pretty heavy clay in the alkaline range-I haven't done a soil test in that part of the yard as every other spot has shown slightly alkaline.

I have no idea why the redbuds haven't done well. They aren't diseased, but they have dead looking branches here and there and basically look like Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree.

I'm wanting a tree with a crown that doesn't cast too much shade (is that a oxymoron?).

No real need for screening. Just need the vertical interest because the berm is so large. No messy trees!!! I have enough of that with Pecan, Sweetgum, Maple and bamboo. I hate picking out baby trees amongst the plants.

Irrigation should not be too much trouble as the faucet isn't too far and I have a sprinkler system that waters well out there.

I have looked at the Possumhaw and wondered whether that would make a nice tree. I would think that one would work, but it would be replacing three redbuds.

I have no idea what the problem is with that area and trees. When we move here 17 years ago we inherited a sick, bug ridden live oak in that area. We cut it down and then spent several years mowing over the suckers.

BTW, I have two small trees\shrubs doing quite well on the street side of the berm-I'm thinking one of them is a weeping something or other. (Landscaper didn't communicate well with me-other than the berm I am the landscaper).

Thank you for your help. I appreciate that this is a nice forum to visit with helpful folks.

IMP

Chinese Pistache tree is a good tree for Oklahoma, but it does create shade.

What about a Crepe Myrtle tree?

Or...a Vitex (chaste tree)

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And Vitex in bloom: (although this is not a great pic)

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Hi Imp,

I second Lisa's suggestion of a chaste tree. I love mine and it attracts lots of bees and butterflies. Most chaste trees tend to grow rather shrubby and you could leave it that way if you prefer, or you can prune it into a multi-trunk small tree like Lisa's. A crape myrtle would give you a similar size tree as a vitex, depending on which cultivar you choose. Both bloom on and off in the summer which is sort of a bonus, and both cast fairly light shade, so your sun-loving plants wouldn't suffer from too much shade.

Possumhaw Holly is one of my favorite small trees. The ones I have are about 12' to 15' tall and have beautiful red to reddish-orange berries in the winter. They tend to form clumps, which I think would be desirable on your bern. You'd only have to plant one, and it would form a clump over the years.

Possumhaw holly is Ilex decidua, and my favorite cultivar is 'Warren's Red', which is pretty easy to find in a nursery because it has been around for a long time. It has the most beautiful bright red berries.

Another option might be Desert Willow, which is not a desert plant nor is it a willow. It has narrow leaves like a willow, and pale lilac and white flowers that look sort of like the flowers of the trumpet creeper vine. It blooms on and off in the summer time. It doesn't like much water once it it established.

If you want a smallish oak, Lacey Oak is a native of the Texas Hill Country that will eventually get 25' tall, with a crown that's about 20' wide, but it would take it quite a while to achieve that size. It is very tough and durable and has lovely foliage. It is generally known as Quercus glaucoides, but I have also seen it labeled Quercus laceyi. You might have to prune it some in the early years to get it to form a strong central leader for the trunk. Lacey oak likes well-drained soil, but is pretty drought tolerant. Being from the Texas Hill Country, it can handle alkaline soil quite well.

There's a few choices. Hope the ideas help.

Dawn

Here is a link that might be useful: Warren's Red Possumhaw Holly

Thanks for the responses and suggestions. They all sound great. That Possumhaw sure does catch the eye.

IMP

I like my contorted mulberry really well. They do eventually get about 20' tall. But, it has really big leaves on it, and the branches are just gorgeous in winter, too. Can be hard to find.

Harry Lauder's Walking Stick is another lovely addition, but may need a bit of shade...not sure.

The chaste tree is probably your best bet. You can get a nice sized one for about $15 at Home Depot and/or Lowe's, too. I think they even have a pink flowering one as well, so you can choose whether you want a purplish blue, white, or pink.

Susan