Anyone familiar with trees??

[6_Time_Momma]

We are getting ready to send away for our memory tree for Gabrielle and they have offered us 4 types---Arborvitae, Spruce, Juniper, and Leyland Cypress.

Apparently, they are all evergreens, but can anyone help out as far as expected heights and widths and how much sun/moisture each needs? We are in Michigan, so I don't know if that makes a difference?

 

[Eiblis]

Leyland Cypress are very fast growing....... , but needs controlling. Have some at the end of our garden.......height ,,too high to reach with a ladder now

They are considered bad news in England as they grow so tall so quickly and many ppl used them as hedging, now digging them up.

One other thing, sorry , noticed you have children, but a lot of ppl are allergic to the spores on leyllandi. Hubby broke out in a lovely rash when he was trying to control it. Just brushing against it was enough to set off rash in him.

 

[ASFCurly]

I found this, I hope it helps...

Arborvitae are small, evergreen trees and shrubs with needle-like juvenile leaves, scale-like mature foliage, and branchlets flattened in one plane. Arborvitae has flattened, scale-like needles with rounded edges. Its seed is produced in small cones. Arborvitae can be injured seriously by late spring frosts and by winter drying. It tends to be a relatively short-lived plant and is very susceptible to bagworms. (40 to 60 ft. height; 10 to 15 ft. spread).

Spruces are native to cool climates and are poorly adapted for growing in the warmer areas. They should be planted only in well-drained soils. Young trees with dense foliage and a symmetrical growth habit are the most attractive. The dense, symmetrical form can be quickly lost if planted in shade. The four spruces described in the following section are the ones most commonly available in the nursery trade.

Juniper
Junipers have sharp, pointed, needle and scale-like foliage. Their fruit is a fleshy, blue berry. The sexes are separate, and only female plants produce berries.
Junipers are among the best adapted landscape conifers and hence the most commonly grown evergreens. They withstand dry, poor soils better than other evergreens. Junipers need full sun for best development. None of the junipers will grow on wet, poorly drained soil or in heavy shade.
There are hundreds of varieties of juniper from which to choose. They come in all sizes and shapes with colors varying from yellow-green to green, blue-green, gray-green, or silver. Because so many varieties of juniper have been grown, many of the names have become confused. For landscape purposes we can divide them into three major groups: prostrate, spreading, and upright. The varieties described here are those most commonly available.
The prostrate (creeping) junipers are low growing plants used primarily as ground covers. They seldom grow over 18 inches high and will spread over a large area. The foliage of many prostrate junipers changes color in winter. The summer and winter foliage colors and sizes of some common prostrate juniper varieties are given in Table 1.

Leyland Cypress An interesting interspecific hybrid (between cypress and false cypress) that grows rapidly and serves as an excellent screen and windbreak. It has good dark green foliage pressed into flat fans on a pyramidal shaped tree. There are many cultivars available with foliage ranging from golden yellow to blue green to green flecked with white. A major pest problem now, in addition to bagworms, is seiridium canker which causes them to turn rusty brown and can easily wipe them out. This usually develops where there is excessive water stress (in low spots, where black plastic has been used under mulch, etc.). It tolerates salt spray and relatively poor planting sites except those that are poorly drained. Many people feel that it has been over-used.

 

[caitycaity]

we had a row of beautiful arborvitae in our backyard.

there are different types, but in general i would say arborvitae is more of a shrub than a tree, imho. the different types can be anywhere from 3-5 ft tall and equally as wide, to 20 feet tall + and about 4 ft wide when full grown. in general, arborvitaes do well in sun or shade. ours were in pretty much full sun, but in an area of the country that was often overcast. i think globe arborvitaes are the smaller type and american arborvitaes are the larger type. you may want to check with them which you will be getting. there may be other types as well. we had american arborvitaes.

here are some pictures i found:

http://www.naturesgreennursery.com/catalog/documents/Arborvitae.htm

 

[denisem]

I also live in Michigan (Detroit 'burb). I'm no expert, but have family in the biz. First off, it's difficult to determine sizes/heights without knowing the specific species (i.e., some junipers are low growing "spreaders" and others are "upright").

Arborvitae - these often need additional protection & care in open areas during our winters.

Junipers - I don't consider them "trees" - usually used as foundation plantings or groundcovers. Easy, hardy, come in many heights/textures/colors. I love "Blue Star" junipers - very short, mounding, with a touchable soft texture. "Skyrocket" juniper can grow to 15', with a base of a coupla feet.

Spruce - (in the tree form, think "christmas tree"). I LOVE blue spruce. Easy in sunny, well-drained areas, but give them room - they can go over 50'. Alberta spruce are attractive, soft textured conical shrubs that slowly grow to 5-10 feet.

I have NO experience with Leyland Cypress.

Just bein' curious here, but is there a reason only these four are being offered as memorial trees?

Denise < --- totally ignored her nursery heritage until she hit her mid-30's

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Originally posted by denisem


Just bein' curious here, but is there a reason only these four are being offered as memorial trees?

Denise < --- totally ignored her nursery heritage until she hit her mid-30's

I really don't know. They sent us a card to fill out and those four are the only choices listed.