It had to go because it was a hazard to the house it towered over (possibility of huge falling limbs), dropping 6 inch long flower clusters on the roof, clogging the gutters in Spring, and dropping huge leathery leaves on the roof, clogging the gutters in Fall. I wanted to get rid of the other Cottonwood tree also (who needs two Cottonwoods on a suburban lot?), but my husband likes the Cottonwoods, so, as a compromise, one gets to stay (for now). Over the Winter, the "Van Helsing" tree company cut down the hazardous monster. Time to plant something different, better, stronger, more attractive. Enter Bebb's Oak, Quercus bebbiana, a/k/a Quercus macrocarpa x alba.
Bebb's Oak is a natural hybrid, so it could be construed as planting a native tree. Squirrelhaven doesn't have room for either Q. macrocarpa or Q. alba, but the hybrid is supposed to be a more compact tree than either parent. Here's hoping that's the case. I ordered a large seedling/small tree through mailorder because Bebb's Oak forms a large taproot, so must be transplanted when small.
I waited for an overcast day and prepared the planting hole, i.e. I stomped on my shovel to cut through the old root of the Cottonwood.
Then I gently removed all the soil from around the roots and spread them out in the hole. I put the potting soil on top of the tamped down unamended soil surrounding the roots, and watered. Drumroll please, highhat cymbal crash-
a tree is planted! All it needs now is a nice surrounding of mulch and some chickenwire to keep the squirrels at bay.Happy Halloween!
(The sign is a quote from Dante's Inferno, "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.")
I just wanted to mention that we got our first frost here at Squirrelhaven on Sunday, but it didn't reach any of the gardens, just part of the front lawn
10 comments:
Good luck with your mighty oak.
I support the removal of the cottonwood. There is such a thing as a "tree weed", tell your husband. May your oak grow to be a new haven for all your squirrel friends and provide you with some great shade, too.
Carol at May Dreams Gardens
Cottonwoods are creekside trees - not houseside! Congratulations on the new baby (is there anything more optimistic than a tree seedling?) and it's cool you'll always remember its birthday - Happy Halloween!
I think your husband will grow to love the new oak. ;-)
We had a frost here but not a killing one. There are still some blossoms in the gardens. Hard to believe tomorrow is November, eh?
Happy Halloween! Good Luck with the Oak, now you will sweeping up acorns ;)
"Those green-robed senators of mighty woods, Tall oaks, branch-charmed by the earnest stars, Dream, and so dream all night without a stir."
by
John Keats
I like cottonwoods, just not near me. It's fun to watch their seed blow about.
That's a tiny tree you planted in comparison! That's what I ahte about taking out older trees, no matter what kind they are.
Lisa, Carol, Kris & DFP - thanks for you kind wishes for my baby tree.
Dirty Knees - DH likes the oak, it's just that he won't let me have the other tree cut down. Maybe when the oak gets big enough he'll agree.
Benjamin Vogt - they say the best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the 2d best now. Gardening has taught me patience, a very important lesson for me!
Major project, removing of a tree! Love the new one although it is a new one to me. We have White Oak, Red Oak and Pin Oaks. I look forward to seeing your baby grow!
MMD: Sometime I, Layanee, am Ginger, when Blogger doesn't cooperate! FYI
Layanee/Ginger - I wish I had room for all the oaks you grow. Where I grew up, our house was surrounded by Bur Oaks. Great trees, but their Fall color is far inferior to Red, White & Pin Oaks. (Why does that sound like the beginning of a bad joke? (What's red & white & pin all over?)) I wonder what alter ego name I should adopt when Blogger is being difficult for me? Sometimes I just wait & come back later to comment.
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