{"id":14527,"date":"2018-03-07T07:56:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-07T15:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogadmin.plantlust.com\/blog\/?p=14527"},"modified":"2024-01-27T08:53:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-27T16:53:05","slug":"who-needs-a-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantlust.com\/blog\/gardens\/who-needs-a-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Needs a Tree?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Recently Evan Bean aka the Practical Plant Geek<\/a>\u00a0solicited\u00a0tree suggestions on the PNW Plant Geeks Facebook <\/a>page. I love this game, and it seems I’m in good company.\u00a0He might as well have shot\u00a0a starter pistol. Tree ideas: Go!<\/p>\n

Evan is in search of\u00a0a small tree, 20-30 feet,\u00a0for a spot that gets sun from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kind of a perfect challenge, right? He also specified his soil type, clay loam. I had to look that up. Usually discussion on soil types make my eyes roll into the back of my head. But this one seemed lucid, intelligent, well thought out. NOT overruled.<\/em><\/p>\n

The area, wherein Evan is contemplating tree placement, gets occasional water–there are Rhododendron nearby–and he’s in Zone 8a. Evan also asked for horizontal branching and a mostly open habit. I was so glad he wrote that, because now I know how to\u00a0describe\u00a0every tree I ever wanted. Check. Check. Check.<\/p>\n

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The spot wherein Evan needs a tree.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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I have to admit to being a little surprised that\u00a0Evan the Bean would even ask. This dude\u00a0keeps us on our toes around ole plant lust, chasing down\u00a0correct nomenclature\u00a0as well as sleuthing site releases for proper functioning. He knows Aspidistra<\/a> from Zauschneria<\/a> — which Evan would point out, is aka Epilobium. I don’t care what they say. I just learned to say Zauschneria, and I’m sticking with it.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Zauschneria septentrionalis ‘Select Matolle’<\/a> aka Epilobium (bah!)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Two trees were already in the running,\u00a0Stewartia pseudocamellia ‘Ballet’<\/a> and Acer japonicum ‘Acontifolium’<\/a>\u00a0— both swoon-worthy considerations, Zones 5a-8b and 6a-8b respectively. Great Plant Picks<\/a> likes the Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’ too–and their description of required soil conditions seem ideal. Such a beautiful selection.<\/p>\n

One could stop right there, if one could stop anywhere–which, of course, none of us can.<\/p>\n

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Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’<\/a> — I think. I’d take it, either way.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

I think\u00a0the above photo is Aconitifolium Full Moon Maple. Photographed at Treephoria<\/a>, so the fabulous and famous Tree Evangelist\u00a0Nancy Buley<\/a> could tell us for sure.<\/p>\n

But back to Evan. Evan said that even he finds\u00a0the sheer number of Acer palmatums daunting. That’s a relief. I can’t tell you how many books I’ve checked out on Japanese Maples–and it hasn’t helped one whit. The upshot of Evan’s search, he wanted “Simple, Green, and Serene.” And btw, Evan, that’s\u00a0the title of a book you should write. I’m pretty good at agitating\u00a0for trees\u00a0in friends’ gardens–and pointing out terrific titles.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Little Aureum Full Moon Maple on its way home.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The little full moon maple now lives in a pot under a 90′ f. I convinced my friend she couldn’t live without this little chartreuse charmer at last year’s HPSO Spring Sale<\/a>. That’s not wrong, is it?<\/p>\n\n\t\t