Re: silver maples
lwallpe@juno.com wrote:
> I am not anti-tree. I have many. But you know the phrase, 'Right plant, Right place'? The same holds true for trees.
>
As long as we're dissing trees, I'd like to report that we're gardening
under & around a 100 year old cottonwood, which not only casts its tough
greedy roots into every bed (even a 3 foot raised bed), but each spring
dumps a ton of sticky white cotton over everything, that requires weeks
of clean-up, as well as creating a cobwebby mess over the columbines,
roses, and other plants I'd rather see in unveiled beauty.
But...once the month of misery has ended, we have a glorious high canopy
of rustling leaves into which we can gaze from our third floor porch,
instead of into an alley & parking lot across the way. As the leaves
turn gold in the fall, reflecting the sunlight against the blue sky, our
moments of leisure are blessed with this monument to the old prairie,
here in the middle of Chicago. While I'd never choose to garden with
any of the poplar family present, we as gardeners seem to accommodate
ourselves to circumstances and rejoice in what we can.
The silver maple in the south yard, of only 8 years' growth (planted by
a former owner), is a pain in the neck, less august and beautiful, but
stil blocking a view that would be less desirable. The worked beds
under it (it's been limbed up and gets sun) include a terrific mass of 6
ft. tall yellow lilies, several smaller clumps of pink & white lilies,
some hosta, bearded iris, daylilies, and a variety of annuals each
year. We have to battle the roots every couple of years, but it still
looks pretty good. I also add a large terra cotta pot or two, to fill in
-- last year with alpine strawberries and some scented geraniums.
Trees, deer, mice, rabbits -- gardeners will find a way!
Anne LD
>
> Linda
>
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