mah new tree
During the summer of 2007 you may remember that we had to have a tree cut down. This huge silver maple, over 100-years old, was exhibiting signs of decay. And since it was such a large tree, we were really concerned about the damage it could do should it come down in a storm. It sat at the corner of our driveway and the street, blocking the driveway and the garage part of the house from the morning sun. When it was gone, the void that was created was immense. We really felt exposed and it just looked awful to have nothing there anymore.
So in September we went and picked out a new tree to be planted in that space. We purchased an Autumn Blaze Maple, a red maple-silver maple hybrid that is a moderately fast grower but without the weakness of a full silver maple. And we wanted a good-sized tree, something that will have immediate presence. It will have awesome fall color and it has good salt and drought tolerance.
And then we waited. They said they plant big trees in December, so all through the holidays I was hoping we would have a tree planting. But nothing. 
And then this morning, as I was getting ready to leave for work, I saw a tree pull up outside. Yay!
And then this morning, as I was getting ready to leave for work, I saw a tree pull up outside. Yay! I cannot wait to watch this tree blossom and leaf out in spring and shade our driveway in the summer and give color to our home in the fall. The Autumn Blaze gets approximately 50 feet tall with a 40 foot spread. I'm so excited about a tree!
posted by meresy_g at Monday, January 07, 2008
10 Comments:
My parents replaced two elms with the Autumn Blaze maple. One was about 7 years ago, one was about 2-3 years ago. According to my mom, the tree didn't seem to grow much during the first year or two, but after that they really started going gangbusters. The autumn color is really beautiful - it's a great tree.
congrats on the tree, you'll have to post some photos of it in situ.
I'm curious about planting such a big tee, since I know Id be so devastated should our big maple have to come down, that I'd want to do the same thing. So do, please keep us posted!
Wow... what a huge replacement tree that is! Seems like even if it waits a year or two to start growing (as Tracy said) it should still give you some presence in the meantime. :)
I get totally attached to trees. I never understand how developers or home owners just randomly cut them down on a whim (diseased is different, but sad too). I lived in a house once where the owners decided they didn't like a tree. I couldn't be there when they killed it--it broke my heart.
What a beautiful big tree!
I still miss the linden I planted at my old place. Trees are good such friends.
Here's to a long and leafy life for this one.
Yay, the new tree! Hope it grows big and fast (but not too fast... we want it to be strong, you know). :)
Wow, a hundred year old silver maple. It must have loved where it was :) I like the autumn blaze maples much more. The fall color will be fabulous!
So glad you have a new tree - what a great size for a replacement! We have a maple at the corner of the house (probably much too close!) that has bright red and orange foliage in the fall - it is so great to have that color.
Is it spring yet? How's that tree doing?
You are so lucky! My soil is so bad that even when I plant a big tree to begin with (not that big, though-- that one is ginormous!)it just languishes. I've tried scooping out the bad soil and adding good. I've tried amending the bad stuff with some good stuff. I've tried planting it in the bad stuff and fertilizing the begeebers out of it. Result is the same. Better luck with yours!
Post a Comment
<< Home