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go iggy · 04-19-2009, 11:55 PM

I've just bought a new home and the yard needs to be landscaped and everything. so im looking to put a tree in the front yard. It will be beside my drive way so i dont want anything with roots that will damage my drive way.

any thoughts?

Ice · 04-20-2009, 12:11 AM

I've been looking for trees, primarily for shade, and getting advice from different nurseries. So far, the Poplar Hybrid is the most recommended for fast growth, providing shade and roots which will take the path of least resistance, therefore not damaging my patio or foundation. I haven't committed yet because the drawback is that these trees are susceptible to disease and could become a problem with the wood becoming brittle and branches breaking off in high wind potentially causing damage. Even with that bit of bad news, its still the most highly recommended tree for my situation. I really want some shade for my backyard and a mature looking tree as soon as possible. I'm told this tree will grow 8-10 feet and really fill out the first year. For someone as impatient as I am, its very tempting.

Rathji · 04-20-2009, 12:22 AM

Stay away from elm (for disease reasons), and anything that drops fruit or little turds/pod on your lawn/car/driveway.

Draug · 04-20-2009, 12:25 AM

Watch out for anything that drips a sap mist down on your car. It is a biotch to get off. Also, right beside the driveway you are going to want something that grows up fast, and doesnt grow out much at all.

Maybe they have a poplar that is genetically modified not to drip sap?

4X4 · 04-20-2009, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draug

Maybe they have a poplar that is genetically modified not to drip sap?

Poplars are like icebergs. You see 1/10 (the tree). The other 90% is underground f'ing up your foundation. Poplars belong in forests, not on your front lawn.

Jedi Ninja · 04-20-2009, 08:36 AM

First problem -- Check your plot plan or RPR because 90% of the time the area beside the driveway is in a utility-right-of-way. You're not supposed to plant trees there and if you do you need to be damn sure that you get the utilities marked out first.

Second problem -- In most new subdivisions, the developers scrape away the topsoil and replace it with a meagre 6" layer of loam. This type of environment is really only suitable for trees with shallow spreading roots. If you want to plant some other type of tree, you will need to excavate a large and deep area and bring in new soil (in a perfect world, 24"+ deep and 6+ feet across.)

Poplars -- Some of their issues are overblown (modern homes with proper drainage shouldn't have moisture around the foundation, so you shouldn't see root growth there, nor do modern homes have the clay pipes that are prone to cracking and root intrusion.) However, poplar roots can sucker like crazy which will become a problem if the tree ever comes under stress.

Lastly, are you buying this tree yourself? In Calgary, developers are usually required to provide a tree.

Canada 02 · 04-20-2009, 09:44 AM

no specific recomendation, but find a tree that is drought-resistant. Why, you ask? Because drought resistant trees tend to have the roots close to the surface (thus they are drought-resistant), therefore they will not extend roots under your driveway and crack it

go iggy · 04-20-2009, 07:04 PM

thanks for the feedback. BTW costco has swedish columur aspen trees in . there $40 and they are about 6-8 feet tall.great deal. I asked them and they said they'll have them all summer long. which is good cuz im gonna need about 8 of them in about two weeks.

Jedi Ninja · 04-20-2009, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by go iggy

thanks for the feedback. BTW costco has swedish columur aspen trees in . there $40 and they are about 6-8 feet tall.great deal. I asked them and they said they'll have them all summer long. which is good cuz im gonna need about 8 of them in about two weeks.

Costco has been known to sell out of the columnars in the past, so you don't want to wait too long. The same tree is > $100 elsewhere. Also, I think their garden center is typically only open for 8 weeks or so.

Shazam · 04-20-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

no specific recomendation, but find a tree that is drought-resistant. Why, you ask? Because drought resistant trees tend to have the roots close to the surface (thus they are drought-resistant), therefore they will not extend roots under your driveway and crack it

What? No.

Slava · 04-20-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

no specific recomendation, but find a tree that is drought-resistant. Why, you ask? Because drought resistant trees tend to have the roots close to the surface (thus they are drought-resistant), therefore they will not extend roots under your driveway and crack it

That seems like the perfect recipe for a cracked driveway? Tree sends out its roots to find more water and your driveway is in the way?

I would think that you want something where the roots tend to go down and not as wide. Maybe a birch?

Rathji · 04-20-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

no specific recomendation, but find a tree that is drought-resistant. Why, you ask? Because drought resistant trees tend to have the roots close to the surface (thus they are drought-resistant), therefore they will not extend roots under your driveway and crack it

Drought Resistant trees have deep tap roots. Thats how they survive w/o water.

Jedi Ninja · 04-20-2009, 08:33 PM

Bur Oaks are drought resistant and have a taproot system. You could also argue that they are the most stately tree that is capable of withstanding the Calgary climate. They are, unfortunately, extremely slow growing. You may want to consider adding one to your yard anyway. In 30 years, you'll probably have to cut down the aspens and poplars due to old age, but at about the same time the Oak will finally be coming into its own.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bur_oak

Slava · 04-20-2009, 08:37 PM

^ Are you sure that would live here? That Wiki doesn't give me much confidence that the Chinooks wouldn't do that tree in here.

Ashartus · 04-20-2009, 08:45 PM

What type of tree to get depends a bit on the size/shape of your yard, and whether you're looking for appearance or shade. There are a lot of apple and crabapple varieties that grow well here and look very nice (flowers in the spring and apples in the fall). I've heard Ohio Buckeyes are another good option for a flowering tree. For a shade tree a green ash is a pretty good choice.

Shazam · 04-20-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

^ Are you sure that would live here? That Wiki doesn't give me much confidence that the Chinooks wouldn't do that tree in here.

There's Bur Oaks at the zoo.

Jedi Ninja · 04-20-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

^ Are you sure that would live here? That Wiki doesn't give me much confidence that the Chinooks wouldn't do that tree in here.

Yes, with the one caveat that the larger (caliper sized) Bur Oaks do not transplant well, in part due to the tap root.

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$departm...5?opendocument

(EDIT: OOPS wrong link corrected above... it's not actually part of the Woody Plant trials.)

Also:
http://content.calgary.ca/CCA/City+H...am/Bur+Oak.htm

Shazam · 04-20-2009, 11:10 PM

Just get the Schubert Chokecherry like everybody else in Calgary has.

Jedi Ninja · 04-20-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shazam

Just get the Schubert Chokecherry like everybody else in Calgary has.

That's not a tree, it's a shrub with attitude. Many of them in my neighbourhood are still bent over and otherwise contorted from last year's ice storm. (Or was that 2 years ago?)

go iggy · 04-20-2009, 11:17 PM

how far away from the fence should a swedish columer aspen be ?