A Guide to Choosing a Tree – Queen City Tree Service

Points of Consideration

Before choosing your tree variety, determine your hardiness zone. The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map defines planting zones from 1a to 13b. The zone you’re in will determine which species you select. Follow the link to help you determine your zone: planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/InteractiveMap.aspx .

You have decided to plant a tree and the species of tree you plant can profoundly impact the landscape in various ways. As a homeowner, our responsibility when planting a tree is to verify that the variety you choose is appropriate for the planting location. Obviously, we want a beautiful tree whether it be one that blooms full of color in the spring or one that provides a ton of shade for those sweltering summer months. The main consideration when selecting and planting, is the size and location correct for the variety we choose. Of course, if you have questions or concerns, a great source of information is Queen City Tree Service that comes with over 20 years of experience. You can trust us to provide an exceptional tree care service and also provide information as the best course of action for future care.

Best Time to Plant Trees

It is always hard to choose the correct time, we want to follow our instinct and plant when the winter world is going away and trees are emerging from a long winter nap. Trees are budding, their green foliage is unfurling and saying hello spring I am ready to show you what I’ve got. But we need to follow our head in this instance and plant in the dormant season here in North Carolina. This is early spring (from late February to early April) or late fall (from late October to early December). Avoid planting during the summer when the heat is at its highest. During the hottest part of the year, the risk of drought is challenging for newly planted trees and stresses the plant that is establishing their roots.

Tree Species

5 Trees That Smell Bad

Most people don’t consider smell when selecting a tree to plant in the yard, it is not a typical consideration that comes to mind. However, there are a few species that produce very offensive odors and would be best to avoid. Knowing which trees generate awful aromas can help you create a beautiful landscape that you can enjoy for many years to come without wafting odors of urine or excrement. Below is a small list of trees that emit a repugnant smell through their bark, foliage, or fruit. You do not want to regret having planted a species due to the horrible odors nor do you want to have to try explaining the foul stench in the air to your neighbors. Make your tree selection wisely.

1. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

This distinct and beautiful deciduous tree is a showstopper with its unique, fan-shaped leaves that turn a striking yellow in the fall. This tree can tolerate many likely urban conditions that are not conducive to trees, such as heat, air pollution and salt. Gingko’s are easy to root and hardy in zones 4 through 9. The mature species will often reach 25-50 feet in height and 25 to 35 feet in diameter.

The drawback of such a unique tree is the hideous odor produced by the females of the species drop their leaves and fleshy fruit. When the fruit is crushed (by vehicles or pedestrians) it releases a distinct unpleasant order that has been described as vomit, dirty gym socks or dog excrement.

2. White Spruce (Picea glauca)

This majestic species is native to North America. White spruce timber is primarily used in general construction, pallets, musical instruments, furniture, cabinets, boxes, food containers. It is such a beautiful tree; it is often used as a Christmas tree. The needles are a stunning bluish-green color, and the tree is hardy to zones 2 through 6. Mature size will often reach 60 feet high and 10 to 20 feet in diameter.

This beauty of a tree has a hidden secret though, crush the needles and you will be the recipient of a horrid aroma. Because of the foul order produced when the needles are crushed, it is often called cat spruce or skunk spruce.

3. Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

We all love when a tree blooms early, to many it signifies that spring is here. The Bradford Pear is typically the first to flower in this area but one of the last trees to have colorful foliage in the fall. They are beautiful when in bloom, even thought the blooms are tiny clusters about half an inch in diameter, they fill the entire canopy. Albeit, gorgeous when is bloom they are accompanied by a stench that is often associated with rotting fish and very undesirable.

The pear does produce a small, hard round fruit that is strictly ornamental. This variety of pear is native to Korea and China and was introduced to western horticulture in the early 1900’s. Full grown Bradford Pears can reach heights of 40 feet and 20 to 30 feet wide.

4. Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

The Gallery pear is closely related to the Bradford pear and is a bit more compact and smaller in size. They typically columnar shape tens to become oval shaped with maturity. The pear’s mature size reaches heights of 40 feet and has a spread of 20 to 30 feet.

If you are near this tree when in bloom, you may want to keep your distance or leave town. The foul stench produced by these pretty Callery pear flowers have been compared to the smell of human male semen and vomit.

5. Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

The Tree-of-Heaven, common name, refers to this towering tree’s ability to quickly grow towards the sky. The species is often identified when young by its smooth and brownish-green bark, eventually in its maturity becoming light brown to gray, resembling cantaloupe skin. This tree’s scientific name, Ailanthus meaning sky-tree. Tree-of-Heaven is hardy to zones 4 through 8, and its mature height reaches 60-70 feet with an 80-foot spread.

Even with such a celestial name, the terrible smell is overwhelming. The leaves of male trees smell like rancid peanut butter or well-worn gym socks.

Tree Selection

8 Small Trees for Compact Landscapes

Prevent overcrowding and killing your smaller yard with oversized trees. Knowing which trees remain small through maturity will help you create a landscape that is balanced and pleasing. You should always arm yourself with the information to help select trees that match the size of you landscape and leave room for root development.

1. Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)

Crepe Myrtle (the preferred name in the south) is among a favorite among many gardeners Due to its hardiness is used in many roadway landscapers. The draw for this plant is that it blooms at a time when most trees are not blooming and comes in a variety of colors ranging from white, pink, red and lavender. Healthy trees will be covered with blooms that last for months during the hottest part of the summer.

Crepe myrtles are deciduous, grow quickly, and will often grow in their multi-stemmed form. They are tolerant of all soil types and hardy in zones 7 through 9

2. Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

An easy-to-care-for small tree, the Redbud is desired for its striking pink or white flowers in spring. This small tree has heart-shaped leaves that turn golden-yellow in the fall, different varieties of this species offer purple foliage. This compact tree is hardy in zones 5 through 9 and ranges from full sun to part shade.

3. Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum)

The striking fall colors of the Japanese maple compare to few others. This little gem can be used numerous ways in your landscape. The gorgeous foliage is showy enough to be used as a specimen tree or it can be used as a privacy tree on a property line.

The Japanese maple is hardy in zones 5 through 8, sun requirements and mature size depends greatly on the variety.

4. Flowering (ornamental) Peach (Prunus persica ‘Bonfire’)

This small ornamental tree is showy, known as Bonfire Flowering Peach tree. It is a small ornamental with big personality. Bonfire is very fragrant when sprinkled with its pink blossoms in the spring. Once the flowers disappear, large burgundy, drooping leaves grow in, stealing the show. This species is a display of fragrant flowers and dramatic foliage that adds to any landscape.

This ornamental flowering peach prefers full sun and is hardy from zones 5 through 8.

5. Crabapples (Malus)

Crabapples provide a colorful display to your landscape. There are many species available that bear white, pink, and/or flowers. The fruit varies as much as the blooms, Crabapples can produce orange, gold, red, or burgundy fruit.
The ‘Prairifire’ species has dark pink flowers, reddish-purple foliage, and is disease resistant. The ‘Centurion’ variety has pink flowers, an upright shape, and great disease resistance.

Crabapples prefer moist, yet well-drained soil and full sub exposure. Cold hardiness is zones 4 through 8.

6. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)

Witch hazel trees have shaggy, citrus-scented blossoms in a yellow, orange, and red shades. Some species bloom in late winter before the leaves open, while others show off in the fall. These are small trees, averaging 10 to 20 feet tall, hardy from zone 3 through 8. They prefer full sun to part shade and can be pruned in the early spring, if needed.

7. Magnolia Randy (Randy)

This Magnolia is a showstopper, if you had to choose one flowering plant for a small landscape, this would be it. This series of hybrid Magnolias was developed by the National Arboretum in the mid-1950s and bred to be a small low-branched tree. ‘Randy’ is deciduous and only grows 15 feet tall with oval habits. It blooms later in the spring, beautiful reddish-purple flowers on the outside and white on the inside. Occasionally, there might be a pop-up bloom randomly in the middle of the summer for a second bloom. It is hardy from zones 4 through 8 and tolerant of full sun to part shade.

8. Dragon Lady Holly (Ilex aquipernyi)

There are many species, cultivars and varieties of hollies but the Dragon Lady Holly is perfect for a small space for a few reasons. It is conical shaped and requires very little maintenance and only gets about 15 feet high. Dragon Lady is easy to find and should not require special ordering. The female holly produces lovely red berries when a partnered with a male for pollination, making a beautiful display of dark green foliage with bright red berries. Dragon Lady Holly loves full sun and is hardy from zones 6 through 8.

Tree Planting and Your Knowledge

Always Arm Yourself with Knowledge

Without taking into consideration all the factors discussed in this article, your newly planted tree may be too large or produce an offensive odor that is not pleasing. This article should help determine the correct tree species for your landscape. Without this knowledge, wrong tree selections can result in severe pruning or removal from the landscape entirely. If you find yourself in need of expertise, Queen City Tree Service is always here to help with our team of certified arborists. We are armed with 20+ years of experience to help with your tree assessment needs.

Call today, 704-606-9696, we will be glad to quote your tree needs, we offer: Pruning, Tree Trimming, Crown Reductions, Fertilization Services and Tree & Stump Removals.