Re: Favorite Shade Tree

--- Linda Starr <mtnstar@ocsnet.net> wrote:

> Since you asked, any oak tree used to be my favorite
> tree, but then I discovered there are so many other
> trees that provide shade.  When I lived in
> Foresthill we had Arbutus menzeisii, Pacific madrone
> trees, growing on our property.  We had a huge
> madrone in our side yard and the former homeowners
> built a treehouse within its branches but not
> attached (which I thought was very considerate of
> them for the tree's sake).  The madrone quickly
> became another favorite tree of mine since it has
> much to offer at every season:  a broadleaf
> evergreen which looks good in winter when other
> trees have lost their leaves, the madrone trees
> often grow multi-trunked with branches curving
> upward rather than growing with a central leader,
> there are drooping white flowers in spring and
> orange/red berries in fall and winter and peeling
> orange bark which is quite spectacular throughout
> the year.  I wish I could find a source for one of
> these trees in a 5 gallon size, even a Texas or
> Arizona variety would do.
> 
> Southern magnolia is another broadleaf evergreen I
> came to appreciate when we lived in the South.  We
> had one growing in our yard in Arkansas and the
> fragrance of the blossoms permeated the air in the
> summer.  I finally realized why so many people
> profess to love the magnolia.
> 
> A tree I have always wanted to grow is the
> Crataegus, or hawthorne.  In fact, I just purchased
> one today to plant in my yard.  A neighbor years ago
> had a Hawthorne growing in his yard and it grew into
> a perfectly symmetrical shape and provided dense
> shade, had an unusual leaf shape, pink flowers in
> spring, berries in fall and good fall color.
> 
> Another tree I consider as a favorite, although I
> have never grown it, is the crabapple.  I have fond
> memories of crabapple trees growing in Maryland
> where we lived when I was a child.  I can recall
> masses of pink flowers covering the trees in spring.
>  I also remember climbing the crabapple trees and
> picking and eating the tart fruit in the fall.
> 
> There are probably other favorite shade trees, but
> these are the ones that stand out at this time.
> 
> Linda Starr
> Springville Gardens
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