trees: stand alone or snuggle

18 years ago

I get a thrill out of seeing a lone giant oak or maple tree standing alone in a vast open scape. have, in fact, taken some 'artsy' photos. But the trees planted in my two back yard lot lines are the best. They all snuggle up to one another, and for some reason, seem to benefit from the closeness. I especially have to mention a paper bark maple, only marginally hardy to my area, but it is now thriving with the other trees in its area. A white pine, too, is growing like a weed. All are in their 9th year since planting, and are suddenly huge. On the opposite lot line, an oak tree, which one thinks of as slow growing, is also huge. Now over '25ft. Swamp white oak. Anything BUT slow growing! It is tucked in with sentinal maple, one poplar, some virburnum, and other stuff, all

snugged together.

Has anyone else noticed that togetherness makes for a better plant scape?

And do any of your nurseries recommend clustering or close planting? Pondy

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Comments (5)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
18 years ago
A mixture of trees will always have more interest, in my mind anyway. It may, however (depending on how snug they are), make them compete for light and become more lankier than they normally would be.

tj
Bob_Zn5
18 years ago
You have an Acer Griseum? Cinnimon (sp?) colored peeling bark? I've only seen 1 & thats at the UW Arboretum in Madison. What do you think of it? I've had 1 on my short list of trees for some time now.
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pondwelr
Original Author
18 years ago
Hey Bob, good to see your name here. Yes, I planted acer griseum. My landscaper said he had a hard time getting hold of one. This was back in 1998. I go on the local garden tours every year, and have yet to see another.
I think it is one of the worlds most beautiful trees, actually, and feel lucky that its range is supposedly zones 4 to 8 or so. I think its from China. What do I think of it? Well, it is quite slow growing. The smaller River birch planted next to it has surpassed it by about 6 feet. And the RB bark is nearly as beautiful. But the AG has the lovely brown and burgundy bark under the lighter peels. Together, these two trees are stunning. I keep thinking I will try to grow one from seedlings.

Its growth was not fast or hardy. In fact, in dry years, it had dead stick like stuff at the top of its tree canopy. I did absolutely nothing about it. Neither trims or any kind of feeding. It had to survive or fail on its own. This year, which went from drought to super wet, it coped just fine.

Being snugged into a tree line may have nothing at all to do with its survival. For sure, am no tree specialist.
Instead, I believe in the right tree in the right place.
I hate to see people put huge forest trees in teeny yards.
My backyard is only yards from our subdivision pond. So, can I say it loves wet? I dont know.
Try it, and you may love it. Pondy
Bob_Zn5
18 years ago
I need to have one.
It remains on the list of things to get this Spring.
justaguy2
18 years ago
It may, however (depending on how snug they are), make them compete for light and become more lankier than they normally would be.

I concur. I know of no reason why trees planted close to each other would grow better than trees in isolation.

However trees (or anything) planted so close together that they compete for sun will grow taller faster at the expense of their health.