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Retention Pond Tree Recommendations


I am a member of the North Liberty Trees Forever committee and would
appreciate any suggestions anyone has on native plantings around an urban
retention pond.

We'd like the area to be used as a city park, with native trees and open
recreational areas. My initial thoughts for tree plantings are red oak,
white oak, bur oak, swamp white oak, shingle oak, green ash, white pine,
river birch, black cherry and redbud. Do these sound like good choices? Are
there better ones?

We would also like to plant several decorative areas of native prairie grass
and wildflowers. I have very little experience with this so any advice on
selection and soil preparation would be appreciated.

The retention pond is designed to hold excess runoff water so any trees that
"soak up" large amounts of water would be beneficial (will trees make any
significant impact on the water level?). The area around the pond has a few
wet areas, but for the most part the steep banks keep the soil well drained.
The soil has a high clay content. North Liberty, Iowa is located near Iowa
City in the mid-eastern region of the state.

A couple more questions:
*	A local nursery indicated that oaks do not grow well in soil with a
high clay content. Is this true?
*	Neighbors have complained of mosquito problems around the pond. Are
there any trees or shrubs that would attract wildlife that would reduce the
problem?

Thank you in advance for your time.

Fred Meyer
North Liberty Trees Forever
trees@inav.net

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