Don't get a silver maple.

Post #264,238 by Another Scott 8/8/06 4:55:39 PM Reply	Don't get a silver maple. I don't know if they grow well up there, but they should be avoided. They grow fast and provide a lot of shade, but they're weak and drop branches easily. I'd probably also get some sort of oak - they're strong, beautiful trees. But if you've got tykes with allergies about, try to get one with a pollen that isn't too bad. Oak pollen can be pretty nasty in the spring. I don't know if there is such a thing, though.... [link\|http://www.immunocapinvitrosight.com/templates/Allergens.asp?id=2303\|Linky on oak pollen]. It says that Q. ilex (Holm Oak) puts out lots of pollen but that there's a report that it doesn't cause allergic reactions. Of course, it [link\|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holm_oak\|won't grow in cold climates]... :-/ Good luck. Cheers, Scott.
Post #264,244 by drewk 8/8/06 5:30:30 PM Reply	I just planted a sweetgum They've got the little spiky balls, but no allergens described for it. Supposed to be tall and fast-growing. === Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link\|http://DocHope.com\|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats]. [link\|http://DocHope.com\|http://DocHope.com]
Post #264,250 by Another Scott 8/8/06 5:49:17 PM Reply	The neighbors have a couple. They're pretty and provide good shade, but I curse them every time I have to rake leaves in the fall. Those spikey seed balls like to burrow in the turf or clog up the rake or ... :-) We had some [link\|http://www.naturehills.com/new/product/productdetails.aspx?proname=Black+Gum\|black gum] trees in our back yard when we bought the place. They had very pretty leaves in the fall. But the previous owner(s) were nuts about shade and there were (literally) about 15 of them growing in a 10x10 area. We spent weeks raking leaves in the fall... They were all weak due to not getting enough sun, etc., so we had them cut down a couple of years after we moved in. I don't know what a single, lone, tree would be like. Cheers, Scott.
Post #264,253 by bepatient 8/8/06 6:30:33 PM Reply	I've had no issues with my maples Have a sugar and a red. The red isn't gonna get very big. Sugar in the front is growing substantially. No problems with branches falling...and I clear the underside to keep it "people sized" so I'm not whacking my head on branches walking underneath. Too much of today's music is fashionable crap dressed as artistry._{Adrian Belew}
Post #264,254 by Another Scott 8/8/06 6:38:14 PM Reply	Those are nice ones. :-) Silvers aren't. [link\|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_maple\|Wikipedia]: The Silver Maple has brittle wood, and is commonly damaged in storms. The roots are shallow and fibrous and easily invade septic fields and old drain pipes. It is a vigorous resprouter, and if not pruned, it will often grow with multiple trunks. It is, nonetheless, widely used as an ornamental tree because of its rapid growth and ease of propagation and transplanting. [...] The Freeman Maple is a popular ornamental tree in parks and large gardens, combining the fast growth of Silver Maple with the less brittle wood and less invasive roots of Red Maple. Silver maples are almost a weed around here. :-/ Cheers, Scott.
Post #265,018 by dws 8/16/06 1:21:55 AM Reply	Re: Those are nice ones. :-) Silvers aren't. We had a Maple in our back yard when I was growing up. I was told it was a Silver Maple, but it seemd to be pretty sturdy. It dropped the little helicopter things, which was fun to watch. Great shade and climbing tree.

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