Just lost our big tree. Need replacement ideas.

10 years ago

We just had our 60 yr old Paperleaf Mulberry split in half and land on our roof. Luckily, minimal damage, but the tree is being completely removed as I type. This tree had amazing shade for our small backyard, but was the messiest! It dropped leaves, seeds, flowers, etc all year long. Needless to say, my neighbor with the pool is ecstatic right now. SO the question is - what to put in it's place? I want the seemingly magical, non-existent, unicorn tree that give me great shade, grows quickly, isn't too huge (20-30ft), evergreen, and doesn't drop everything. I've been considering magnolias as they do well here in the San Fernando valley (Southern CA/Los Angeles) but I've never been a fan of the brown underside of the leaves - since that's what you see when under it. Looking for any other suggestions... someone said Carrotwood, but I've been reading that drops seeds and flowers.. Any sympathy and help would be greatly appreciated. And here's a pic of my sad tree...

Featured Answer

parker25mv

10 years ago

Your neighbor will kill you, but it will make a beautiful tree:

Black Mulberry

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Comments (8)

parker25mv
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
You could plant a cherry tree growing on its own roots, either sweet cherry or flowering cherry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1oHdlWfYkA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a_Mbxh2dEk

(both sweet cherry and flowering cherry have a similar growth habit when growing on their own roots, these trees can eventually become the size of oak trees)

A pear tree on its own roots typically can get up to 25 feet tall.

http://www.treeoftheyear.org/Minule-rocniky/2014/Obri-plana-hrusen-v-Godollo.aspx

Sure it will be 10 years before the tree begins producing fruit, but that should not matter to you. In the meantime it will be a nice tree with attractive foliage and a few blossoms in the Spring. You will be planting something for posterity.

Few people realize that common fruit trees, when grown on their own roots, can make attractive big trees.
tthomas19 thanked parker25mv
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
10 years ago
A low litter tree with deep, well behaved roots commonly recommended for Southern California is Lophostemnon confertus, common name Brisbane Box.

Brisbane Box at Cal Poly Selectree

The Selectree site is a good noncommercial source for looking through tree possibilities for California.
tthomas19 thanked hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
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tthomas19
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks parker25 and hoovb. Really am trying to not plant a tree with a lot of litter... now or 10 yrs from now... Plus the squirrels, raccoons, possum and rats are really drawn to the other fruit trees, so trying not to create another great home for them. Will check out the Brisbane Box and YES selectree does appear to be a great site! Thanks!
Embothrium
10 years ago
That picture shows a white mulberry (Morus alba) and not a black mulberry (M. nigra).
tthomas19
Original Author
10 years ago
It was a paperleaf mulberry. Regardless, not going to plant another to replace... just too messy. Thoughts on an Olea europaea 'Swan Hill'??
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
10 years ago
Maybe one of the drought-tolerant southwestern live oaks?
tthomas19
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks Dave... love that idea but I think it would ultimately get too large for the back yard. I hate when people plant trees in the wrong spot, only to cut them down when they outgrow their space... I was initially intrigued by a Purple Robe Locust, then found out they drop their branches and have thorns... Magnolias have delicate roots so don't plant under them, Carrotwood has large seeds that the birds bang open with their beaks on the roof (and we've got a new PVC roof)... seems like up and downsides to all...