I was trying to spot some good areas to spread out my plumies next year and hopefully put a few in the ground while still potted.
I seem to have run into a small problem. I have no more trees in my yards anymore. Cut down the last one this year in my backyard as it's roots were up lifting my fence. Is there some other type of trees/plants that I can plant for year round that I can use for shade? I really don't want huge trees again. The 1st one in my front yard starting up lifting the cement in my drive way so that was cut down 2 years ago. The only shade I have is provided by the house. Which faces the south. So, my front yard get full sun from sunrise to sunset.
I do have a back patio but it's roofing is a green fiberglass material that allows some light to shine through (sorta turns everything under the patio a slight green color) but still provides shade. Not sure why my grandmother (when my grandmother passed a in 2002, I bought the house to keep it in the family) decided to put this type of roof up. I was just curious if anyone knew of some small trees/plants I can look for next year or even possibly this year to provide some shade for my plumies next year. It was hard to keep moving my plumies all the time in the very hot days.

thanks in advance for you help

Hi Lucky,

I suggest checking with your Dept. of Agriculture. You might even be able to get free trees from them.

Kadie

Hi lucky you can keep any trees short if you are deligent in trimming them. We have an oak tree that is 10 years old and we kept it 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide. It provides enough shade for my orchids that I attached on the base of the oak tree and enough part shade for my sun loving plumerias that are all crowding my front yard. (We cut the root going to the house so it will not mess up our brick pavers walk way.)

According to my cousin who is a horticulturist, it will not harm the trees if you trim them. She said in Japan, the orchard trees are kept short and well trimmed to deliver bigger sizes and better quality fruits (quality more than quantity) and to maximize the space since the farmers have limited space to grow their fruit trees.

We are in the same zone here in Arizona. We have thevetia planted at the end of our patio that provide good shade from the setting sun. We also have a couple that are trimmed into bushes. They can be trimmed harshly and come back. So, long story short they can be trained into trees or kept small.

Of course you can keep any tree trimmed back. Just remember that when you take the tips off your plumeria you are removing that season's blooms as well.

Lucky, citrus grows well there, right? How about planting citrus trees that will grow tall and you could thin branches out as they grow. I think I will do this...a friend of mine grew her orchids hanging under a couple of local lemon trees and they did extremely well. And the plus is...fresh lemons!

Oops! Forgot we were talking about plumerias, had orchids in my mind...but should work for plumerias too!

Thanks for all the great ideas. Think I'll start looking for some on clearance at home depot

Instant big tree is a problem unless you have way deep pockets. Here a tree that grows a foot a year is considered a fast grower.

Regarding what - check with your local Extension office and or Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists.

Local Extension office of Dept. of Agr. and Master Gardeners/Naturalists. Tell them your goals...they will be glad to help you.