Posted: 4/10/2003 8:54:46 PM EDT
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What is a good shade tree for South Florida that grows fast and full? Looking for something like a Ficus but WITHOUT the aggressive root system. It will be planted near the water lines and a (within 20 feet) bathroom and I don't need it cracking into the city lines or growing up through my shower. |
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Crape Myrtle does well down here..easy to come by. Some of the Lagustrums and other shrubs can grow big and provided nice cover. If want a Palm, I'd suggest a Washingtonian or Sable..they easy to come by also. Big shade can be had from a Bradford pear but you'll have to wait about 2 years..pretty tree with big, sweeping leaves and branches. |
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Quoted: Crape Myrtle does well down here..easy to come by. Some of the Lagustrums and other shrubs can grow big and provided nice cover. If want a Palm, I'd suggest a Washingtonian or Sable..they easy to come by also. Big shade can be had from a Bradford pear but you'll have to wait about 2 years..pretty tree with big, sweeping leaves and branches. Which one would you say would grow the fastest? I'll probably put in something 5 feet tall and want it over my roof as soon as possible. |
| In my years working for an arborist and landscaping..there is little out there that is a good tree and grows fast. I don't know Florida soil and climate well, but my suggestion would be a lace bark Elm or a red oak. Both grow fairly fast and won't need to be removed in 15 to 20 years. Stay away from ash trees like they are the plague (SARS)...hehe. |
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My impression is that you might want to be careful with a Bradford Pear - they grow very quickly, but they easily get top-heavy and then they can crack. In other words, they are great in the short-term but can end up being a pain in the ass long-term. I have heard that there are some new variants/hybrids that are not as problematic when they get older. Do River Birches grow well in Florida soil? I don;t remember seeing many down there, but that may jsut be local preference. I love those trees, and if they get a lot of moisture, they grow like weeds. |
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Bradford Pears work just fine..they are very full and pliable. The river birches "scale" alot but are used frequently down here. They also remain dormant (read leaveless) for most of the winter months..the Bradford pears hold on longer. The Myrtles are prettier with their blooms. I like the Bradford pear. The palms...well, they're palms. They provide some shade and don't recquire alot of water. Sables are the most plentiful as some of the others. I do anything to dispose of the scrub oaks and other "trashy" trees..this is includes the Southern Magnolia, what a messy tree. |