When choosing trees for small properties, the homeowner must consider what is desired of a tree. Is it to provide shade or be valued for mere embellishment, exotic foliage, or attractive flowers?
Also significant is the cost and labor involved in future maintenance. Is it a species susceptible to insect pests, fungus blights, or virus infections challenging to control?
In addition, size at maturity is usually an important consideration. Will shrubs and other low-growing plants be shaded too much, become crowded, or suffer from a lack of food and moisture due to competition with tree roots?
Roots can be an expensive, persistent “headache” when they invade sewer pipes and septic tank tiles and upheave sidewalks and driveway curbs. Yet there is no need for such “green elephants” on the average home grounds.
Why Plant Fast Growing Trees
The main reason for planting such fast-growing giants as elms, silver maples, poplars, and other large trees near the home has been to provide shade.
The maples have long been well represented in both private and public plantings, though some species were often misplaced. Almost everyone is familiar with the sugar, silver, red, and Norway maples.
Still, these larger-growing species are but a few of the many unique kinds known and cultivated for generations. For example, there are some excellent small and medium species and splendid forms and varieties among the Eurasian importations.
Almost all species of maple are hardy and tolerant of a great variety of soils and wide climatic range but will do best in locations approximating their native habitat. Any reasonably good soil with ample moisture but good drainage will suffice for satisfactory growth. Some species will do well with “wet feet,” like the wasp maple.
Coliseum Maple
The coliseum maple (Acer cappaacicum) is a beautiful tree from the Caucasus and Western Asia. Introduced in 1883, this aristocratic-looking maple which grows to 50’ feet, though hardy enough, has not been used nearly as much as its good qualities merit.
It’s a full round head of deep bluish-green foliage supported by a multi-branched frame-breaking from a short stem. It not only makes a splendid lawn specimen but serves as an ideal shade tree. It is deep-rooted enough to thrive without starving the lawn grass; it is small enough for use in a limited space. There are also varieties with attractive foliage variations.
Swamp Maple
The red or swamp maple (Acer rubrum), often found in low, swampy places and along stream borders, will do very well on good upland soil. Some forms make good growth in relatively poor soil and under far less than ideal conditions.
Red Maple
Among the red maples, Acer Curzon goes Boston, with a compact habit of growth, is especially desirable for use in small-scale planting. It has much of the hardihood of the parent, makes slower growth, and is smaller at maturity.
Furthermore, it has several qualities which make it a highly gratifying choice when a small attractive tree is wanted. Its large, bright red flowers, prolifically borne on contrasting light-gray branches before the leaves appear, make this an unusually showy maple when in bloom.
Sycamore Maple
Another old-timer, the sycamore maple (Acer pseudo-Platanus), known and cultivated for centuries, has given us many valuable varieties. From Europe and Western Asia, where the species may exceed 100’ feet, this hardy, easily satisfied tree is represented in cultivation by some well-known types and others equally as pleasing but less known.
Golden Maple
One of the latter is the golden maple (Acer pseudo-Platanus worleei). This variety seems to have matured at about 30’ feet in a pretty good location in the Rochester area. An outstanding feature is the yellow and orange-yellow foliage color of young specimens.
The tree has a well-shaped, broadly-oval contour and presents an unusual picture in early summer with its rich yellow, red-stemmed leaves. At maturity, the tree has leaves that gradually turn to the dark green characteristic of the species type.
Varieties of Norway Maple
Norway maple (Acer platanoides), cultivated for many years in Europe, is another familiar standby of many uses. A heavy branch structure supports its luxuriantly-leaved, broad round head of deep-green foliage. A magnificent tree for large-scale use makes a fine park specimen street tree. Then, too, there are several forms of significant value.
The pyramidal form Acer platanoides erectum, much used in Rochester on highly narrow streets, and the columnar form Acer platanoides columnare, are excellent for practical use where size and spread must be considered.
Of the many foliage variations, some have distinctive leaves. Hood-leaved Norway (Acer platanoides owl: Hatton) and the eagle-claw Norway (Acer platanoides laciniate) is unusual. However, one of the most beautiful trees that homeowners should widely use is the Harlequin maple (Acer platanoides at rev-margination).
This handsome little clone grows relatively slowly and apparently will never reach beyond 30’ to 40’ feet, making it a good lawn specimen. Although little planted, it always is sure to arouse interest wherever observed. Fortunately, it is offered by several nurseries aware of the fast-growing demand for more and better trees for the home garden.
Native Striped Maple
We have some excellent species from the Orient for distinctive lawn specimens, where unusual features are appreciated. These include Acer tegmentoszon, an Asiatic counterpart of our striped maple, and Acer peon syh7anicunt, a most attractive tree.
Its lustrous green and white striped branches are a most pleasing sight, especially during the winter months when most plants are without charm. The small leaves turn a beautiful clear yellow in the fall.
Unlike our native species, which does well only in moist, cool wooded places, this importation has made tremendous growth on well-drained, sandy ridges when wholly exposed. Listed as reaching 50’ feet, cultivated plants can hardly be expected to go as high under ordinary conditions.
Native to Korea and Manchuria, Acer tegmentumtegmentum is entirely hardy in the Rochester vicinity. For about 35 years, it has proven singularly free from troublesome insect pests or blights.
Another nicely formed striped maple, Acer David, from Central China. It has similarly colored branches but turns yellow and purple in the fall. Still another Asiatic species is Acer capillaries, which is likewise striped but turns a striking scarlet in the fall.
As far as the author has ascertained, this last does not do too well in open locations. Like Acer pennsylranicum, it only seems content when in close plantings on moist soil.
Paperbark Maple
The paperbark maple (Acer griseum) comes to us from Western China. Introduced in 1901, it has been, until recently, difficult to obtain. At maturity, this beautiful little tree reaches 25’ to 30’ feet.
One of the very best, when used as a lawn tree in small areas, this member of the compound-leaved maple group is “clean,” hardy, and pleasing the year ’round. The small, bluntly-lobed leaflets give it a feathery appearance in summer.
At the same time, the rich, cinnamon-brown, flaking bark is an interest-holding feature, especially when highlighted by the winter sun.
It is not particular to the soil, is hardy for uses in zones 4 and 5, and is readily propagated from stratified seed. This exotic little tree develops a gracefully branched, oval head that fits very well on the small-borne lot.
Another compound-leaved species is Acer nikoense, found in China and Japan. Introduced late in the nineteenth century, this tree has left a little larger than Acer griseum and is of more upright branch development. Its foliage turns bright red and purple.
44659 by Jacob Gerling