Dumb question for the Arborist out there .

[Bob_Skurka]

The tree is about 6' from the wall of the house. I've had to expand the planter around it a bit, and it will have to be expanded again next year to make roof for the roots. Maples spread their roots, but the Japanese Maples remain fairly small and I'm not overly concerned about damage to the foundation from the roots as I allow the roots to expand in the other directions and so far that hasn't been any real issue.

You mentioned putting a small flowering tree off the corner of your house. I'd suggest a shrub. A mock orange. Beautiful white flowers, amazing fragrance, 6' diameter, roughly 10' tall. They are also better behaved than lilacs. Needs reasonable levels of sun. You don't say what amount of sun you'll have at the corner of the house. If conditions are a bit harsh, then maybe a Witch Hazel, they bloom in the winter and are pretty interesting but often hard to find at garden centers.

 

[SPIKER]

ANDY: I was wondering what you were doing at INSPECTORS HOUSE? wonder if MRS INSPECTOR was tehre ? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif j/k

I was down to CSU hospital of optometry this thrusday too, not as bad a trip from Mansfield. but still way longer than I like and I HATE driving down there stupidest street signs of anyplace I've been! also some of the WORST drivers..

for suggestions on the flowering shrub there are many it al depends on like was asked before location sun water levels ect. as well as WHAT KIND of flower you want when you want it to bloom ect... Some good variaties would be a flowering tuilup tree, rodendrums some climbing roses, dogwoods ect.
figure out how long you want the blooms when, how much how big, and then start with how much light water and temp zone (probably a 5 for you) but hardy to 4 if it is next to house and on south side.. see anyhow some other items is will bees bother you there or do you want humming birds? trumpet vines, (grows fast and can be trained into shapes and reasonably priced.) I have some shrubs in the woods, (wild stuff) which has some of the best smelling spring flowers that last 20~30 days in apr/june one is probalby 15' high and maybe 3~4' at base with a 10' crown. nice for birds to nest in and easy to trim into shape I think. this year it has 100million seeds on it if ya want some... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

anyhow figure out how & what you really want it to look like then find a plant to match the wish list...

Michigan bulb company has a very good selection and also try the nationat arborday foundation for hints and help...

MarkM

 

[AndyM]

I put these modular blocks in this summer, for flower beds around the front of the house. We put the rose bushes in, but it was too late in the summer to plant anything else.

I put the blocks on the corner of the house in a circle with an eight foot diameter-- the perfect spot for a small, flowering tree or bush. Also, the Japanese Maple will be planted in the front yard, about 30 feet in front of the center of the front porch. That should give an "Inspector-like" view from our living room window! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[AndyM]

The sun is shining the wrong way to take the photo, but here's one of the few (two or three) maple trees on our property...

Most of the tree is a bright yellow, but the very top is what Mrs AndyM calls a "peach" color. That's what she's looking to get for fall colors on maple trees. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I have to admit the maples are much brighter than the dull brown color on all of our oak trees. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[ronjhall]

Andy
Here is a picture of an Sunset Maple in our backyard. May be a little darker pink that Mrs. AndyM is looking for.
All the Sugar maples lost their leaves yesterday in the rain and wind.

 

[ronjhall]

Here is a picture of a Crimson or Norway Maple. It has large Purple colored leaves all summer. Then they turn this off yellow in the fall.
The flag pole is not crooked but it sure looks like it in the picture. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[AndyM]

<font color="blue"> Here is a picture of an Sunset Maple in our backyard. </font>

The fall leaves look great. Are the leaves green in the summer?

 

[ronjhall]

Here is a orphaned Japanese Maple that we salvaged from a Nursery a couple of year ago. It is slow growing and will have the red leaves until they fall off.

 

[ronjhall]

<font color="blue"> Are the leaves green in the summer?
</font>
Yes.

 

[Inspector507]

Ahh yes.......I remember the topsoil well...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif