Re: Sycamore shape
Chas wrote:
> A sycamore is a large tree. You must have a half acre at least to
>even plant one (in my opinion!). I like them as massive single trunk trees.
>They get a trunk that can be several feet in diameter. It doesn't seem to
>me that a multi-trunked one is practical. Are you sure you have the right
>tree for your purpose?
> It is my opinion that you must care what a tree will look like in
>fifty or a hundred years even if you don't plan to be here!! I've seem
>redwoods planted within ten feet of a building
This is very true and it seems in today's world, little thought is
given to the suitability of a species for planting - especially where
space is limited. The tendency to only think ahead for 10 years or
even less, is greater now than at any time in the past. Here in the
UK we see 45ft high Araucaria araucana planted barely 10 ft from house
walls in tiny, 'postage stamp' sized front gardens, as a result of
Edwardian gardener's lack of foresight. Today, the same still applies
with 'Blue Atlas Cedars' - Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca' and 'Deodars' -
Cedrus deodara which have the potential for growing 100 ft high and 80
ft across, being planted in 80 ft long by 30 ft wide gardens. Just as
bad is the proliferation of types such as the variegated balsams -
Populus candicans 'Aurora' close to walls and well within 'striking
distance of drains and sewers. After only a few years, their root
systems can cause irreparable damage to foundations and underground
pipes.
It is clearly a nonsense which only leaves immense expense and massive
upheavals for those in the future. It's not enough to plant with the
intention of keeping the tree regularly pruned. Someone at sometime
will through carelessness or genuine ignorance, fail to keep the tree
within bounds. Besides, so many of the larger growing trees take on a
tortured, unhappy look when prevented from reaching their full
potential and their natural grace is completely lost.
Large trees are wonderful in the right setting, but really have no
place in he smaller, suburban plot.
Dave Poole
TORQUAY UK
