Tree recommendation? (maple?)

[Keith]

I live in Battle Creek Michigan, and this spring I'd like to put a tree (or two) in my front yard, halfway between the house and sidewalk. While I'm not a huge fan of raking leaves, I'm not big on the "evergreen look", so I think I'll be raking. I was thinking of some Maple variety, but not sure what to look for (any website recommendations that have variety comparisons?). The house is East of my front yard (street is west) and there is no direct competition for sun along the North/South angle except a tall thin evergreen I'm inclined to get rid of.

Anyway, I live in a 2-story house and wouldn't mind some summer shade on the side of the house, but I also have a "Michigan basement" (stacked stone foundation) and don't know if I need to worry about roots at all. I'm thinking not, because hopefully there isn't any moisture there to attract the roots, but figured I'd better check to see if Maple is ok or if there are other issues and/or desirable tree alternatives.

I appreciate any advice. Thanks, keith

[Travis M.]

How far from the house do you plan on planting the trees.

[Emery Davis]

Keith,

You do need to worry about roots. Maples are shallowly rooting generally, with some exceptions like pseudoplatanus, so you need to think about the distance from your foundation. Of course the smaller the tree, generally, the less you need to worry.

A great place to see a lot of different maples on the web is

They have a catalogue in English. Their are so many maples to talk about that without your narrowing it down, we can't provide much info. Acer anything, is a maple. Look at esveld under the 'a's...

HTH

-E

[Keith]

Emery Davis sagely wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Unfortunately, it is a small yard- I have a wraparound walk in front of the house that is maybe 6 feet out, then about 25-30 feet to the sidewalk- so I guess I need other options that will handle the cold, and not have the shallow roots, since this might be as close as 20-25 feet from the house. I'm still interested in something tall enough to offer some shade and block the windows on the second story (eventually) for privacy. This is an old house (1870's) so tall ceilings on both floors, it is a tall 2-story. I don't know much about plants, what else would be common (good) options other than maple?

Thanks! Keith

[James]

You might be ok with some maples. Avoid Silver maple and Sugar maple. Maybe a Red maple if the ground is not a clay type. Maple roots fan out. You won't want one too close to your sewage line. Oaks have a tap root but is slower growing. You might check with a nurseryman or arborist about the Maples.

[Emery Davis]

[]

James is right, there are plenty of maples that will do the job. The great thing about Acer is the huge choice and variety. Given the distance from the house you will need to pick a tree that wont get too big. Acer rubrum (Red maple, note for fall not summer coloring) will probably outgrow the spot, IMO, if you pick the species, but there are probably some cultivars available that will stay much smaller, e.g. 'Sunshine' or 'Red Sunset.'

I don't know what exact zone you're in, but here's a few that might do:

Acer x freemanii 'Autumn Blaze" is a cross between rubrum (Red) and saccharinum (silver) the latter contributing mostly a fast growing aspect. Good deep red fall color, fairly upright in habit but eventually spreading, hardy to zone 4, eventually to 20 m, which may be too large for your situation.

Acer platanoides 'Globosum' is smaller than the usual Norway maples (to 12 m) but with similar leaf (a bit smaller) and color characteristics. The crown is a bit spreading, but it has other nice features like yellow flowers and red bracts in spring. Also widely available. Hardy.

Acer pseudoplatanus 'Prinz Handjéry' is very similar to the popular 'Brillantissimum' but has red shaded under leaf, with the advantage that it is much less prone to sunburn. The leaves are also more deeply cut. A very remarkable tree with shrimp pink spring foliage going through orange and yellow before nice summer green. Not remarkable fall coloring, though. To around 12 m maximum. Hardy.

Acer cappadocicum, the caucasian maple, is also hardy to zone

4-5 and in colder climates makes a smaller tree. Lovely dark green leaves emerge red -- also in summer -- and good yellow fall color.

Of course as was pointed out a local nurseryman is your best source for advice as to what will do well locally.

HTH

-E

[frogfog]

Fagus sylvatica 'tricolor'

beech trees don't lose all their leaves until the next spring and the leaves contain much less tannic acid thn oaks...best of all, having them is akin to having autumn all season long!!!!!