need advice on type of weeping tree

michelle M

I'm looking for a weeping willow or some other weeping tree as a feature at the end of our lawn, but I'm also hoping to get one that grows to a maximum height of 20-25 feet. Has anybody got any suggestions please?

Michelle

Exclamation

Edited by moderator to add descriptive title............... see rule 11 http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/about27.html

michelle M · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 8:59 am Post subject:

Anyone? Or even a recommendation of a good book with descriptions of trees?

Sive · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:09 am Post subject:

Have you tried googling your request? I did think of a beautiful weeping birch, but it grows too tall for your needs. If you're looking for a good book for general gardening use, you should really buy the fabulous RHS ( Royal Horticultural Society) Encyclopaedia of Plants and Flowers. I'm into my third edition now ( it's updated every so often) and is a book I constantly refer to.

michelle M · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:37 am Post subject:

I have tried googling, but everything I find seems to be too big or else a dwarf variety. I have room enough for a big tree, but I'm a bit afraid of the root spread towards a biocycle and percolation area. I'll look into that book too. Thanks a million Sive

verge · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:22 pm Post subject:

How wide can a root spread from the trunk until it reaches the biocycle and percolation area?

Sb · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:28 pm Post subject:

A weeping birch would look good as a feature but again the root issue must be addressed. Best wait until verges question is answered before I commit to my answer. Laughing

michelle M · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:21 pm Post subject:

It's somewhere between 30-40 feet to the drains for percolation area. Maybe another 20feet to the bioclcle. I think the biocycle is not a concern, but I really have no idea how far the roots of a large tree would spread.

Sb · Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject:

Weeping birch will cause you no problems at that distance. You would even get away with a weeping cherry. Probably a bit dicey to put in a weeping willow, plut it would grow too big heightwise anyway.

michelle M · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 9:56 am Post subject:

Great, thanks again. At least that narrows down my options & makes it easier to decide.

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 3:03 pm Post subject:

The weeping pear might be what you are looking for michelle M

Pyrus salicifolia 'Pendula')

Not fully weeping, but possibly suitable, the corkscrew willow.

Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa'

May grow a bit bigger than your requested size, but look into the weeping ash as well. Fraxinus excelsior 'Pendula'.
There is one labelled outside the custom house in this selection...... http://www.ucd.ie/plantmat/fraxinus.html

michelle M · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

This is a picture of what I have in mind, except in a smaller scale. Is it the particular variety of tree that gives it such an "even" shape in comparison to the weeping pear which GPI posted? OR by any chance can it be got by pruning, (says me knowing nothing about pruning Laughing

)

James Kilkelly, was GPI. · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 1:58 pm Post subject:

What you have there in the pic looks like Salix babylonica (Babylon Willow) michelle M.
and you will be happy to know that is pretty much its correct growth habit. Smile

This tree is also a good possibility for your garden, just as long as you realise that it can grow to 40ft high and wide, with a good possibility of the roots growing to at least 20ft from the base of the tree in 20/30 years.
Although the roots tend not to spread too strongly if it has a steady stream of moisture, as in planting in damp soil.
A few dry summers though can trigger the roots to go further in search of water, so remember to dose it with water in those periods.

michelle M · Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject:

40 feet is definately too big. I'm thinking of going with the weeping birch. What size roughly would that grow to? everything I seem to read about it, gives different sizes. One garden centre that I rang said 15-18 feet high. Everything I've read says a good bit higher.