Discuss Detroit » Archives - Beginning July 2006 » What species of tree to plant? « Previous Next »
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Goat
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Username: Goat

Post Number: 8613
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.71.59.224
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 11:37 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

After having such a great thread on the former elm trees of Detroit, I thought I would turn to you folks for advice.

One of my 80+ yr old horse chestnut trees on my front lawn will need to be taken down as it is dying. What type of tree should I look to getting to replace it? I would like either
1)a tree that flowers in the spring (or whenever).
2)a tree that grows fairly quickly so that I can enjoy it without waiting until I am 80 years old.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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Danny
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Username: Danny

Post Number: 4537
Registered: 02-2004
Posted From: 141.217.84.91
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 11:39 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I would plant some apple and pear trees out in some vacant lot in Detroit so everyone should get some apples and pears without going hungry.
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Susanarosa
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Username: Susanarosa

Post Number: 987
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 208.39.170.90
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 11:43 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I would suggest a Magnolia tree.
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Aiw
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Username: Aiw

Post Number: 5693
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 209.216.150.127
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 11:47 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ghetto Palms.

They grow quickly and require little maintenence.
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Blessyouboys
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Username: Blessyouboys

Post Number: 498
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 69.220.35.50
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 11:57 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How about a Catalpa tree?
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Rustic
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Username: Rustic

Post Number: 2678
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 128.36.14.165
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 12:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

what is the name of those trees that have flowers that smell like puke? those are nice.
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Johnnny5
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Username: Johnnny5

Post Number: 297
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 71.227.95.4
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 12:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I second a Catalpa tree. Here is a picture of one which is about 10-12 years old. I grew it from a cutting off a tree on my grandparents property. You are more than welcome to a cutting if you would like one, but I'd suggest getting a larger specimen since they are inexpensive.

[img]http://www.michigan-sportsman. com/photopost/data/551/medium/ Catalpa_For_DYES1.jpg[/img]

(Message edited by Johnnny5 on July 12, 2006)
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Ilovedetroit
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Username: Ilovedetroit

Post Number: 2372
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 63.149.5.130
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 12:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am buying a disease resistant elm..you can get them at Wiegands Nursery in Clinton Twnshp., they are the 2 1/2 inch dimetere around 12-15' high and they grow quickily (or so I am told)...they are around 200.00 - see if you can get them yourself as deliver cost is more expensive.
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Bibs
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Username: Bibs

Post Number: 519
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 198.208.159.18
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 12:43 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Golden Rain Tree flowers. Not sure how fast it grows. I think that flowers on the Catalpa tree have a nice scent. I also believe that the Kentucky Coffee tree has a flower. Linden trees have a very small flower but the aroma is like perfume. Ginko tree are very hardy, flower but the scent is offensive. The Greening of Detroit might be able to help you choose a tree and they may plant one for free.
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Jfre66_77
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Username: Jfre66_77

Post Number: 48
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 12.15.1.161
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 1:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

All kinds of good info. about trees on this website. I lost my ash trees to the emerald ash borer last year. I am replacing them with Golden Rain Trees and Hackberry Trees.

http://www.arborday.org/

(Message edited by Jfre66_77 on July 12, 2006)
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Goat
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Username: Goat

Post Number: 8616
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.71.59.224
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 6:11 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wow! Thanks for the feedback, pictures and website everyone. I thought the Catalpa tree was quite nice but I will look into the others as well to see what they look like and how quickly they grow.

Thanks once again. :-)
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Oliverdouglas
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Username: Oliverdouglas

Post Number: 27
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 69.209.164.246
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 6:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Catalpas are interesting trees, but they are not at all impressive in the fall. Many varieties of flowering (non-fruiting) pear also have impressive fall color.
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Jjw
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Username: Jjw

Post Number: 138
Registered: 10-2005
Posted From: 68.33.56.156
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 6:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Eastern Redbud---beautiful in the sprinn and grows pretty fast. Crepe Myrtle but not sure if it would be to cold in Michigan. Thudercloud Plum is another fast grower and great color.
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Wmuchris
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Username: Wmuchris

Post Number: 339
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 69.246.19.24
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 6:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I second the redbud and catalpa trees. I also suggest we Plant red oak trees.

The Greening of Detroit can probably get the hookup on some easily sproutable acorns. Those bitches get huge.

Whatever you do, plant a diverse crop of trees. Most of the diseases we see today are a result of too many of the same trees planted in close proximity. Diversity is key.
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Detroitej72
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Username: Detroitej72

Post Number: 57
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 66.184.3.44
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 6:52 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

If your going for quick shade, Cottonwood by far. They grew super fast and as far as I can tell, nothing will kill them. Of coarse they provide no flowers, just that annoying cotton in the air that clogs your air conditioners and fans.
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Mccarch
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Username: Mccarch

Post Number: 79
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 70.236.173.246
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 7:05 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A tulip tree. This summer, I noticed a couple of them in the Woodbridge neighborhood - they had been planted 10-15 years ago. Once you see their flowers, you will want to have one.
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Detroitej72
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Username: Detroitej72

Post Number: 59
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 66.184.3.44
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 7:09 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mccarch,
There are a couple 100 year-plus tulip trees on Belle Isle near the nature center. Thought you might want to check them out as they are beautiful.
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Rjk
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Username: Rjk

Post Number: 395
Registered: 11-2003
Posted From: 68.41.145.5
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 7:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I planted a Princeton Gold Norway Maple last year. I get a lot of positive comments from people who walk by my house, but it's neither a flowering tree or a really fast grower.

Do you people stake your trees or not? I'd guess that over 90% of the newly planted trees that I see on commercial and residential properties are staked. I was advised by the people at Bordines to not stake my tree, which I didn't. A few times last summer some really strong winds gave my tree a battle to stay vertical, but it made it thru it's first year just fine.
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Mccarch
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Username: Mccarch

Post Number: 80
Registered: 12-2003
Posted From: 70.236.173.246
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 7:15 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks, Detroitej72. I will search those trees out; I've become a Tulip tree fan.
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Detroitej72
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Username: Detroitej72

Post Number: 62
Registered: 05-2006
Posted From: 66.184.3.44
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 7:19 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Just ask the natualists at the nature center. They love to answer any questions, I fear few visit there on a daily basis. Quit a shame... They are quite helpful. Ask for Susan.
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Hamtramck_steve
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Username: Hamtramck_steve

Post Number: 3086
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 68.252.125.198
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 7:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Staking isn't a good idea, although limiting it to a month or so until the ground is more settled wouldn't do any harm.

Going without stakes makes the tree develop stronger, better able to handle high winds.
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Hysteria
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Username: Hysteria

Post Number: 790
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 205.188.116.137
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 7:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How about a Dogwood, Goat? It flowers in the spring (pink or white)and the leaves in autumn turn a bright red:

Spring

Autumn
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Ilovedetroit
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Username: Ilovedetroit

Post Number: 2373
Registered: 02-2005
Posted From: 69.246.54.234
Posted on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 10:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I tried a crepe myrtle - beautiful but didn't make it in the winter.
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Johnnny5
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Username: Johnnny5

Post Number: 299
Registered: 06-2005
Posted From: 71.227.95.4
Posted on Thursday, July 13, 2006 - 9:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here's a nice Sweetgum tree for free. I have not yet called to see if they still have it.


http://detroit.craigslist.org/ zip/181399063.html
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Goat
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Username: Goat

Post Number: 8620
Registered: 10-2003
Posted From: 67.71.59.224
Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 3:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

So many to choose from! The Dogwood is gorgeous but it will not grow tall enough.
So far the Catalpa seems a right fit for the yard but I want to see a picture of the Princeton Gold Norway Maple (though I am not a huge fan of the maple. Too many around).
The same goes for the Redbud...I will scout out some pictures.
Thank you all kindly :-)
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Pdtpuck
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Username: Pdtpuck

Post Number: 119
Registered: 01-2006
Posted From: 208.251.168.194
Posted on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 1:52 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

I also believe that the Kentucky Coffee tree has a flower.



plus, you can roast the seeds and make coffee, hence the name...
My forestry prof. in college said it's not bad, either, although I have yet to try it (there's one in my neighborhood...I'm going to try next time it seeds).

quote:

If your going for quick shade, Cottonwood by far.



Careful....VERY weak wooded, unless you don't care about who inherits the tree later! Plus, the cotton is more pain than it's worth, IMO.
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Tndetroiter
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Username: Tndetroiter

Post Number: 121
Registered: 12-2005
Posted From: 149.149.5.32
Posted on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 2:12 am:   Edit PostDelete Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Will a Dogwood survive a Michigan winter? If so, you should go w/ a Dogwood even if it won't be tall enough for you , they're soooo beautiful. The Dogwoods will be one thing I will miss when I return to Detroit. Those and Krystal hamburgers (sorry, White Castles don't cut it).

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