10x10 space small tree? Bush? Evergreen?

8 years ago

I am looking for someting to plant in a 10x15 green space that is generally evergreen. Not a conifer/pine tree look. We may get a day or two below 30, but aside from a couple days of freezing, it really doesn't get super cold. South Brazos Valley (8b). This lot does get full north exposure.

A live oak will just end up too big, right?

I'd like around 30ft tall- I feel like wax merytl or buford holly don't get quite tall enough.

This area is not serviced by sprinklers, so except for hand watering the first year +occasionally during the summer thereafter, it can't be something that needs babying.

Featured Answer

Embothrium

8 years ago

A 30 ft. tall citrus would be pretty big - I wouldn't expect to see that height anytime soon. And of course there is the fruit mess, if you don't keep them all picked.

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Comments (14)

bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
8 years ago
How about Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora)?
Renee Texas
Original Author
8 years ago
I like those, but they do lose their foliage in the winter. :(
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Embothrium
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Possibly this is applicable.

Lacey Oak

http://texassuperstar.com/plants/oaklacey/index.html
bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
8 years ago
Texas mountain laurel is evergreen.
Renee Texas
Original Author
8 years ago
ohhh I was thinking of the Vitex/Lilac. I actually have 3 moutain laurels to plant. They grow SO SLOWLY though, I think I may be dead by the time they are tall enough :/
bostedo: 8a tx-bp-dfw
8 years ago
Cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana) seems to grow quite a bit faster and becomes pretty drought tolerant. Fruits/seeds might be an issue.

Sally Wasowski once said Texas madrone (Arbutus xalapensis) was the most beautiful tree she had ever seen, so another slower growing option worthy of consideration.
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Great suggestions above, but you might also consider the super cold hardy 'Orange frost' or 'Arctic frost' Satsuma. They are evergreen, have sweetly scented flowers and delicious fruit. I just ate a huge easy peel 'tangerine' from my (regular) Satsuma which made me think of it ... :-)
Renee Texas
Original Author
8 years ago
Well they'd better have one at the campus sale, that's probably my best best for now! Thanks roselee! I'll also look into that cherry laurel for another place, it sounds lovely.
Renee Texas
Original Author
8 years ago
aw shoot, heighth. There's always something, huh? I'm still getting two for somewhere! 4 kids, I don't foresee fruit being a huge issue...and if it is, well, there are always neighbors! LOL
bossyvossy
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Viburnums

ilex
Todd C
8 years ago
Texas ebony is a neat small tree. Agree satsuma mandarin would be a nice choice. Orchid tree. Live oak would be too big and wide. Strawberry tree would work.
qzr TX Zone 8B
8 years ago
There are clumping bamboos that could work. Everygreen reasonable drought tolerant and tall. I want to get Bambusa oldhamii (http://www.caldwellhort.com/html/bamboo/Bambusa-oldhamii.html). It does get very tall.
Todd C
8 years ago
Rene I think embothrium was saying citrus wont get that tall because 30 feet seemed like a criteria you wanted. I'd think 20 feet would be a tall citrus. Anyway I think they're a good choice for the spot. They take to pruning well too if they start to get out of hand. An unusually cold winter might damage them. But I see large cirtrus here in San antonio all the time.