Author Topic: Which tree for a tree lined drive? (Read 4759 times)

Jeb · « **on:** February 14, 2010, 01:09:06 pm »

I'm getting ready to buy the farm in south-central Virginia. This farm has a nice gravel driveway from a hard suface road to the house. The first section runs about 200 ft. from the road until it bottoms out at a creek (which crosses under the drive). I want to plant trees on both sides of the drive along this section. I want it to look great AND give me a product to harvest. I'm thinking of planting pecan trees in pairs on either side of the drive. Does anyone out there have any suggestions on what type of pecan trees? Or, on what other nut or fruit tree might be good to consider?

Thanks for your help.

--Jeb

fishpharmer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2010, 05:14:47 pm »

Jeb, welcome to forestry forum. This is a great place. Congrats on the new property (to be). You might want to look and ask around the area to find the best type of pecan tree to plant. A local nursery may give good advise on variety or an ag or horticulture dept of a local college. It seems like folks plant all types of trees along a driveway depending upon preference. Loblolly Pines seem prevelant in MS but I wouldn't want them myself if you have the chance of hurricane force winds or ice storms. I've seen many old plantation homes with live oak trees lining the drives. I am sure there are exceptions. I have seen many pecan tree lined drives as well. Also, cypress make an attractive lane. Keep us posted.

pineywoods · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2010, 05:30:23 pm »

The only drawback to pecan trees is they are messy. They tend to drop dead limbs just big enough to raise hob with a mower. If you do go with pecan, I'd get more than one variety. Most of them will self-pollinate, but yields are better with cross pollination. They are also somewhat picky about soil types. Check with a nursery in the area...

Jasperfield · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2010, 09:15:23 pm »

I'm in agreement with Pineywoods. The Pecan is a high maintenance tree. If you're going to keep the drive/entrance neat & clean you'll be stopping to pick up limbs about every trip in and out.

If you want nuts; How about the Chinese Chestnut.

Personally, I'd set out Apple trees.

Ironwood · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2010, 09:40:34 pm »

I have thought about this topic for years. For me, I would go w/ diversity in uniform patterns. Seems there is always a new parasite, blight, or what have you. I would design a sequencing that if say your maples get hit and killed by something the character of the overall impact you create would be left intact. You may end up w/ some "holes", but generally the view would be pretty consistant. Oaks, maples, hickories, Sassafrass (bendy trunks), cherries, on and on. Like the other folks said check w/ your local extension officer.

Ironwood (letting my "wild" trees line the drive and selectively cutting out ones I dont like)

Jeb · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2010, 02:33:50 am »

Thanks for the input. I'll let you know what I do complete with pictures (probably this coming fall).

--Jeb

WDH · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2010, 08:23:35 am »

I agree with the comments on pecan. The sun rises in the east, the ocean is salty, and pecan limbs fall. These are a few things that one can count on

.

DanG · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2010, 09:34:50 am »

What about Sycamore? I know they're messy in the fall, but they grow fast and they sure are pretty.

In the past, Magnolia was the tree of choice for lining a lane down this way. You don't see much of that anymore though. I don't know if you can grow them in Virginia.

Magicman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2010, 11:13:09 am »

Quote from: Jeb on February 14, 2010, 01:09:06 pm

I want it to look great AND give me a product to harvest. I'm thinking of planting pecan trees in pairs on either side of the drive. Does anyone out there have any suggestions on what type of pecan trees? Or, on what other nut or fruit tree might be good to consider? Thanks for your help. --Jeb

Your OP indicates that you also want a cash crop. Personally, I would go with different varieties of Pecan. Yes, they drop limbs, you need to fertilize, but the reward is worth it. Different varieties, because they seem to pollinate a few days or weeks apart. Rains during this time can/will wipe out the potential crop from a few trees, but usually not all of them.

I have several young trees coming on. For the last couple of years, my youngest trees (10"-15" diameter) have been my best producers.

I'll be at my Cabin/Tree Farm Friday, and will try to remember to take pictures of my entrance. All volunteer (old fence row) Pecan trees.

Wudman · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:30:28 pm »

A few thoughts:

1) Pecan (since you mentioned it) - stately tree, nice form and size - will drop lots of branches - minor damage from worms - everybody likes pecans

2) Cherry - Beautiful tree when blooming - Nice form - You will fight with birds and squirrels for the fruit

3) Apple - Various varieties - Pretty when blooming - Nice form - Squirrels a problem

4) Crab Apple - Pretty tree - small frame - Fruit can be used for jams and jellies - not the best for eating raw - Fire Blight (fungus) may be a problem - Messy when dropping fruit in fall - Birds and Squirrels will readily eat

5) Pear - Beautiful when blooming - Nice form

6) Peach - Pretty when blooming - Not as nice in form as other fruit trees (my opinion) - small tree

7) Chinese Chestnut or Chinquapin - Edible nuts - Burs are a problem for bare feet - Messy in fall when dropping burs

8.) Black Walnut - Stately tree - larger form - drops leaves early in year - messy when walnuts are falling

A few other considerations (nothing to harvest foodwise though)

1) Bradford (ornamental) pear - pretty tree with nice form - short lifespan in this area
2) Yellow poplar - Nice tree, very majestic
3) White Oak - Nice large tree, very majestic
4) Southern Magnolia - Beautiful tree - slow growing

For aesthetics, I would lean toward the cherries. I have one in my yard that is beautiful when blooming and has very nice foliage the remainder of the year.

Wudman

Big Timber · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2010, 07:44:09 am »

Lombardy Poplar- I'm sure I misspelled that

bill m · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2010, 09:32:49 pm »

Star burst Locust.

Jasperfield · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2010, 10:17:27 pm »

The Southern Magnolia is also high maintenance, but it's fragrance is arguably without equal. I do not know of a better smellin' tree.

Here in WNC we have no naturally occuring Southern Magnolias. All here are specimens.

They are VERY slow growers; but the fragrance is worth it and lasts many weeks.

The Bradford pear will self-destruct in a medium high wind. About the time the tree has really taken-hold along your drive and begun to increase it's girth, along comes a medium snow or a little bit of really stiff wind...and it's chipper fodder. It's a pretty tree, but it's a loser. It looks out of place in most plantings.

The Yoshino Cherry is a real good tree. Good form, shape, and bloom. Beautiful. It prunes well, too. And, it grows easily.

Magicman · « **Reply #13 on:** February 20, 2010, 05:50:03 pm »

Here's a picture looking away from the cabin. I forgot to take one this morning looking toward the cabin when the sun would not have been in my face....

These are mature volunteer "fence row" Pecan trees

Jeb · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2010, 08:40:59 am »

Thanks for the pics Magicman and the very helpful advice from everyone else. I'll probably be in touch with you Wudman as time for planting comes 'round. Here's a pic of the driveway in question. Thanks again all!

PS. This is my first pic posting. Took a while to figure it out but I'm learning!

Magicman · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2010, 09:01:04 am »

Whatever you plant, remember that trees grow. Too many folks tend to plant too close to the road/drive. Mine are probably 15' away from the road.

WDH · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2010, 11:55:07 am »

Jeb,

That is a nice tree-lined driveway to be! Keep us posted.

zopi · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2010, 02:50:03 pm »

Easy answer...Notsweetgum..

Me, I'd probably go with pines, and realise that I will have to prune..

Maybe cedar...I have some hoooge cedars...love 'em.

If you go with apples, the rust blight is bad, get ahold of the ag extension in Winchester,
they are the state tree gurus..can privide guidance in that light..

fishpharmer · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2010, 04:11:15 pm »

Jeb, good job on the pic posting. You have a nice blank slate to start with. Something occured to me that you may or may not have considered. How long will it take for the species of tree to bear fruit or nuts? Or even attain a size of your desire in a reasonable amount of time. Just something to consider, if your not planting for your grandkids?

Tom · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2010, 04:20:28 pm »

Whether planting for market or home use, I've always been one that liked to see people plant stuff to eat. I know that Eastern Red Cedar might make a roadway tree, as will pecan. Pear, plum and apple might be maintenance intensive, especially when it comes to fruit that drops to the ground. One other thing that can make a fine driveway border is grapes. grow them on a horizontal cable-fence.

If it's just for looks, and you want the things to be there for your great-great grandchildren, plant Live Oaks.

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Author Topic: Which tree for a tree lined drive? (Read 4759 times)