| I was inquiring about what zone we live in. I did not notice anywhere on the site that had a search engine for the zone in wgich we were. Do you happen to know what zone Ramona, Ca is in and any suggestion for a low water, fast growing (shade) tree that might fall into our zone? Thank you, amy |
| You are in USDA zone 9 and there are many, many shade trees for you to consider. The "Autumn Purple" White Ash, Fraxinus americana, 'Autumn Purple', is a seedless male tree and is a cultivar of the species which is native to moist areas. This fast growing White Ash tree grows 2/3 feet per year. It is almost pyramidal with a round top when young, but gradually slows down and develops an oval shape. Autumn Purple Ash trees prefer a sunny location. This deciduous tree develops a consistantly outstanding deep red, maroon or purple fall color. There are few if any trees with longer lasting fall colors. The Autumn Puple Ash tree makes a great tall shade tree. The Black Locust tree, Robinia pseudoacacia, is sometimes called the yellow locust. Black Locust trees grow naturally on a wide range of sites but does best on rich moist limestone soils. It has escaped cultivation and become naturalized throughout eastern North America and parts of the West. Black locust is not a commercial timber species but is useful for many other purposes.This deciduous tree is a nitrogen fixer and has rapid juvenile growth. It is widely planted as an ornamental, for shelterbelts, and for land reclamation. This fast growing Locust tree is suitable for fuel wood and pulp and provides cover for wildlife, browse for deer, and cavities for birds. It is a very thorny tree which can attain a height of 70-80 feet and can have a diameter of 2-3 feet. The flowers are white, fragrant, and hang in clusters. The individual leaves are small and egg-shaped. The Cimmaron Ash tree, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, 'Cimmzam', is a fast growing ash tree that has beautiful glossy purple-colored leaves for showy foliage color. This deciduous trees is seedless with strong, upright branches that are resistant to storm and snow damage. The Cimmaron can grow 3 ft. or more per year in rich loose soil. Cimmaron Ash trees have a good salt tolerance, but it does not like poor compacted soils. The tree is narrow when young with upright branches. The glossy dark-green foliage turns brick-red to orange-red in the fall. It is a beautiful shade tree. Hope one of these suggestions is just right for your landscape. |
