This tree is not one you want to plant! I don’t know its
botanical name, just a tree that was touted as fast growing and would provide
shade in five years. We planted two of them to provide quick shade on the south
side of the house.
Emerging leaves on fast-growing poplar |
It did. But with its fast growth came numerous problems.
First, the roots. They grow on top of the ground. Because of the impossibility
to run the mower over these protruding roots, several areas around the trees
had to be converted to unplanned “natural areas.” Another problems is that
shoots emerge from the roots, so it’s a constant chore of clipping off these wayward
children..
One thing I’ve learned: a fast growing tree is a
shallow-rooted tree. And a fast growing tree also is short lived. How many
years will it last? Maybe another 30-40, so I think it will outlive me (compare
to an oak tree, which lives 100 plus years). The next person who lives in this
house may have to find an alternate source of shade.
We lost one large limb on one of the trees, but do not believe
that was due to wind, but instead to disease. That was three years ago, and we
haven’t seen any further sign of disease, so maybe we’re safe on that count.
The poplar tree has a fat trunk |
Another final disadvantage of having this tree is the
absolute mess it creates each spring. First comes long worm-like things that fall everywhere. Then, new leaves emerge encased in a pod – a brownish
yellow, sticky shell that falls as the leaf opens. These fall onto the deck and
you know what that means: Dirty shoe soles and dirty dog paws. For the past
week I have cleaned dog paws and messed up the soles of shoes with this sticky
mess. I can manage the human angle by changing shoes at the door and watching
where I step outside. Not so the doggies! I have spent an inordinate amount of
time cleaning eight paws, trimming hair from around their pads, for a full week.
Kris, thinking about having to get his paws cleaned |
As you can see from the picture below, these trees are perilously close to the glass conservatory and I just hope winds do not ever bring them down, especially in the direction of the house.
The second poplar is at the right side |
Long stringy things and yellow sticky shells |
"Oh please! I hate it when you mess with my feet."
|
Cute! First - "The next person who lives in this house may have to find an alternate source of shade." You're MOVING? Or we're moving? Can I finish my coffee first before we start packing? More importantly, ladies and gentlemen: Ms. "MASTER 'Can a Garden get too mush sun?' GARDENER" does not know what this tree is??
ReplyDeleteSorry - "mush" should be "much"
DeleteHusbands say the wierdest things! Nice!
DeleteThanks for the adorable dog pictures! I hate shallow rooted trees. They are such a pain. You have to worry every time the wind blows.
ReplyDeleteThey are such adorable dogs. Both are rescues and we really got lucky with them. Great personalities and such fun dogs!
DeleteThe dogs, gosh- what breed are they? Retrievers?
ReplyDeleteLiving up here in the north, we don´t have trees like you have.
Instead we have extremely huge trees, few that are actually " dead ", and should be removed, but even the thought of all the mess, wears me out.
I wish a helicopter would come and lift them somewhere. We have so much firewood already, no more is needed. And, what a lot of work cutting, piling and drying all the wood.
During the years ( 16 ), we have lived here, 4 huge trees have crashed down due to storms, oh boy.
And every time, a tree falls down, I feel sorrow.
Golden Retrievers. Both rescues, and just adorable. Would love to see tree pictures from Finland. I love trees!
DeleteLove the Chris pictures but Val wins this one - way too cute as she really is.
ReplyDeleteAlso hate shallow rooted trees - just a big problem for gardeners and for tripping over the roots!
That is a great picture of Val, isn't it. Claus made it with the big camera, probably better than the phone camera.
Delete