City shade tree

Way back in March 2011 I received the phone call concerning the tree I applied for ... way back in September, 2009.  I wasn't expecting this call at all as I had been informed that there was a two year waiting list and I may as well get my own tree.  The unexpected voice mail informed me they are ready to plant a tree and I need to choose which one. They said my yard was ideal for a shade tree as there were no over hanging wires. He left a list of my tree options.

I compiled a list of my favourite tree things ...

Source: barbarabutler.com via Sara on Pinterest

1) Fast growing - I want to hang a tire swing and a knotted rope ladder from the tree before my kids get to big - optimistic aren't I.


2) Flowering - I love flowering spring trees


3) That was it. My short list.











None of the trees on their list were flowering so I called the City Arborist to discuss the options and made a quick, gut decision. The Katsura, in honor of Japan and its recent tragedy. I had never heard of this tree and I was happy try it out.

Sometime in May the city came out and put some white markings and flags on the grass. And then in June the electrical company came out and put some yellow markings and flags on the grass. Slow process it seemed. And finally, in late June, the landscapers came out and planted my tree! Just 22 months after I applied online. Less then the 2 year waiting list. Kudos city!

Last summer I went ahead and got my own tree; advise from the city person I spoke with. I picked a Japanese Maple, in hopes of turning it into a Weeping Japanese Maple. Near the end of last summer I realized and discovered this tree does not care for afternoon sun. The leaves get a little old and holey. Luckily it survived its first winter and even grew a bit.

Now I have my big city shade tree that will eventually provide the necessary shade for my Japanese Maple. And shade for my west facing home, in about 15 years.

The city is giving me a tree!

The message was on my answering machine yesterday. Exactly one year and a half ago, minus a day. From the day that I closed on my house. The day I pushed the enter button to request the free tree from the city program. 

I had found the program before hand but thought it best to wait until I actually owned the house.  City will not only give you a free tree, they will research your soil and land, advise you on a few options AND plant  it for you.

I actually applied twice for the tree (read: a little excited/impatient/don't want to miss this great opportunity). Once in the fall and again in the spring. I received a call from a woman in the spring letting me know that there is a 2 year waiting period for the tree and that I could just go ahead and plant my own if I wanted.  I thought I was taken off the list.

I did go out a buy myself a Weeping Red Japanese Maple. I was limited to what size of tree I could get (trunk size).  I planted this guy in front of my house and it seemed to do ok. I was very happy with my choice and plant. I do have experience here, have planted 250,000 trees in my life time, although never this type or size. Later on I discovered that this kind of tree prefers limited sun. (Lots of experience planting, no experience researching what tree vs soil vs sun light ... read: impetuous)

The front of my house is fully exposed from 10am till the sun sets. I saw it slowly get unhealthy. I am waiting to see if it survived the winter. I do not want to write it off yet, but it is weeping.


The city program will plant a tree between the sidewalk and road. The front of my house is/was treeless. There is a small garden, overtaken by clover (I discovered last year). That is all dug out now. And my Weeping Red  Japanese Maple tree.  It seems I will get my SHADE tree after all. And this shade tree may be exactly what my W.R.J.M tree needs!

Since my lot is large enough and there are no telephone wires above, the city arborist was very excited to offer me a huge shade tree. My choices:

Hackberry

Katsura

Gingko Saratoga

Red Oak

Swamp Wide Oak

I am leaning towards Red Oak or Gingko ... I will let the size and growth speed determine which one I choose! I'M SO EXCITED!

A glorious day for felling a tree

Off to find our tree (in Heigburg Forest).

We have our saw.

Chaz picked the tree and started to saw. I dusted the snow off the tree and wondered if it would fit in the family room. The tree was fat, but all of them are, I convinced myself.

Sun stepped in and felled the tree! The tractor came and carried the tree back to the car. Fresh FAT trees are HEAVY!

What a glorious day for felling a tree, a Christmas tree!

 

The tree is HUGE.  Thankful our [strong] friend dropped by just as we needed to haul the tree inside.
I will learn the true meaning of trimming a tree, once I find my hedge clippers!