Small Yard Trees

Holden

Holden

500+ Posts
I am looking at some red asian maple, but wanted to hear from the rest of the nation what they would suggest for a small space tree.

criteria:

20-30 ft
semetrical spread
hardy
no damaging root system

I may go with an oak out front if I know the roots won't be a problem later.
 
I'll go with a redbud, too. Check out Natural Gardener out on Old Bee Caves Road off 71 West. They have a good variety of trees and competent sales help.
 
A redbud would certainly work. The pear tree is fine, but fruit trees have relatively short lives. If you do decide to go with an oak, I would suggest a lacy oak; they are smaller and very drought tolerant.
 
A very important factor is where you live.

For most of Texas, the two trees that fit your criteria, and which are outstanding, quality trees, are the following:

Chinese Pistache:
pistache_chinese_med.jpg


Shumard Red Oak:

oak_shumard_med.jpg
 
The Shumard Red Oak doesn't sound like a small-space tree:

Height: to 120 feet

Width: 50 to 60 ft.
 
"The Shumard Red Oak doesn't sound like a small-space tree:

Height: to 120 feet

Width: 50 to 60 ft."

The lacey oak will only go 25 by 25 max, so it would perfect for this area.
 
Lacey Oak or Monterrey Oak. Cedar Elm will grow tall but with a narrow spread. Where are you? You should consider your soil and rainfall.
 
San Antonio

I would like a fast grower.

The lacey oak looks promising, but may be susceptable to disease. The shumard is also promising. The pear splits on itsef.
 
Beware of "fast growing" trees. Quality trees are typically not 'fast growing. Generally speaking, fast growing means short lived.

Be ready to spend a little more, get a large specimen of whatever variety you choose, and be patient.
 
Redbud, Bradford Pear, Golden Raintree, and Crepe Myrtle are all good smaller choices. Cedar Elm is quite upright and can work nicely in a smaller space, too. Most oaks including Live and Red Oaks, Texas Ash, and the Chinese Pistache may get larger than you want. Chitalpa blooms beautifully, but tends to drop some leaves in the heat. I have all of the above in my Austin yard and I like them all. If you decide on a Redbud, make sure you get a Texas Redbud and not an Eastern Redbud. The ER will predictably die in about 10-12 years. Consider the risk of Oak Wilt if you put in a susceptible oak. Always plan for what your landscape would look like with the oaks gone.
 
Also look at the Oklahoma Redbud. Just don't tell anyone that pretty tree is an Oklahoma Redbud. Just call it a Redbud.

Redbud's are pretty slow growers, I believe. The Bradford Pear should grow fast.
 
Bradford pears (which btw only flower) are used by landscapers because they are pretty and grow fast. The downside is that after about 12 years, their branches can't support their weight. This means that in big storms, after 12 years, the trunks can split and big branches can drop. So the question is, do you plan on living in the house more than 12 years?
 
Sorry to highjack the thread, but I have a question. I have two bradford pear trees. They both came back this spring and looked great. Suddenly, one of them dropped all of its leaves and looks dead. It sits 20 feet away from the other one that still looks perfect. I know trees can have weird cycles, but this doesn't look good. Any ideas?
 
"Sorry to highjack the thread, but I have a question. I have two bradford pear trees. They both came back this spring and looked great. Suddenly, one of them dropped all of its leaves and looks dead. It sits 20 feet away from the other one that still looks perfect. I know trees can have weird cycles, but this doesn't look good. Any ideas?"

Did the leaves do anything unusual before they dropped? If so it could be fire blight, but Bradfords are pretty resilent against that. I am assuming that there hasn't been any weed & feed or herbicides used under the tree? I am not a big fan of bradford pears. They can't really handle severe windy or icy weather, their trunks will split and they don't live long. If this tree is indeed dead, I would first try to figure out what killed it because it may still be in your soil and then I would consider a different kind of tree.
 
The Shumard oak is not a small yard tree. My two in the front yard, planted 22 years ago at five feet, today go up at least 40 feet with canopies that cover the yard.
 
The exact same thing happened to me last year. I didn't cut the tree down, hoping that it would come back. It's definitely dead. I'm cutting it down just before the next bulk trash pickup.

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