The most promising chestnuts for the United States are the Chinese chestnuts (Castanea mollissima) which are blight-resistant. While their nuts are not quite as large as the European chestnuts shipped here in the fall, their flavor is considered better. Chinese chestnuts make interesting lawn trees. However, if nuts are desired, there should be two or … Read more
One of the largest nuts native to the United States is the `McCallister’ hican found in 1890 in southern Indiana. A natural hybrid between a pecan and shellbark hickory, the `McCallister,’ like other hicans, is propagated by grafting on pecan or hickory seedlings. Hican (pronounced HICK-an) trees have been found in nine states (Illinois, Indiana, … Read more
The fall of the year, with its cooler weather and more frequent rains, provides perfect conditions for planting trees and shrubs. With the quick pace of spring and the heat of summer now past, we can look forward with renewed zest to our gardening activities, with emphasis on planting. The choice of trees and shrubs … Read more
In last month’s column, we discussed one of the members of that small, select group of trees that bear their ornamental flowers during summer. In this issue, we will consider another member of the same group, one that blooms in August. While quite different from the golden rain tree of July, it is nonetheless equally … Read more
If you are looking for a small tree, cheerier than most, consider the Gray birch (Betula populifolia). It has appeal throughout the seasons in a naturalistic setting or at the edge of your lawn. The grayish-white bark is striking against a background of evergreens or reflected in a pool. Near the sunny side of a porch, a … Read more
Dwarf fruit trees are both ornamental and productive. In the spring, they produce abundant flowers, and in late summer and fall, a crop of delicious and attractive fruit. Tree-ripened fruits, especially peaches, are far superior to those in city markets. A dwarf orchard on a plot of land only 60’ by 30’ feet will provide … Read more
I learned early in life how useful a willow tree is to a farmer. At home, my foster parents grew a large grape vineyard. Mother tore up hundreds of soft cotton rags to be used in tying up the pruned grape vines to the wires. That was work on Saturdays for all the children. It … Read more
Eucryphias are desirable for the glory of their late summer bloom and, in cool-winter climates, for the brilliancy of autumn foliage. In 1859, E. glutinosa was introduced into England from Chile. Considered one of the hardiest, this tree may be seen in flower in the Arboretum of Washington, Seattle, where five different eucryphias are grown. … Read more
Exceptionally good foliage from spring to fall, beautiful summer flowers, and a dense pyramidal form (the maximum height is 60′ feet, although the tree is usually smaller) make the sorrel or sourwood tree. Oxydendrum arboreum is one of the most serviceable ornamentals hailing from the Southeast. The name sourwood comes from the fact that the … Read more
Homeowners, especially those who live in new developments, are always looking for suitable trees that will be ornamental and provide some shade. The ideal tree, which combines hardiness, rapid growth, toughness, resistance to diseases and pests, attractive foliage, and desirable form, is hard to find. A tree may possess all the qualities but one, but … Read more