Fast Growing Trees for Privacy and Landscaping.

List and pictures of excellent fast growing trees

for privacy or landscaping.

We had a lot of people ask about fast growing trees,

so we thought we would post this article.

Many of them are not tropical by nature,

but a lot of these trees are still used in tropical 

landscapes.

There are many benefits for planting trees that grow fast. Some of the top reasons are to provide shade, color, vertical dimension, soundproofing, cooling, beauty, screening, windbreaks, boundary lines and wildlife habitats for birds, animals, and insects. Planting fast growing trees also will increase your property value.

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Ten Top Trees That Grow Fast

Author: Julia Stewart

There are many benefits for planting trees that grow fast. Some of the top reasons are to provide shade, color, vertical dimension, soundproofing, cooling, beauty, screening, windbreaks, boundary lines and wildlife habitats for birds, animals, and insects. Planting fast growing trees also will increase your property value by at least 20%. Home buyers almost always choose a house with trees over those that don't, all things being equal. It's amazing that just by placing a tree in the correct area such as on the western or southwestern exposure of your house, you can significantly reduce your cooling cost in the summer by 10 -15% or more. Who wouldn't like that? Trees can also reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which is helpful in urban areas and they provide protection from ultra violet rays on playgrounds, schoolyards, and picnic areas. Let's face it, we all prefer having trees around if at all possible.



Many home owners want to know what type of fast growing tree they should plant. The answer depends on factors such as: your purpose for planting the tree, soil conditions, tree location (plant the right tree in the right place), species growth and form (give trees plenty of room to grow), and know any undesirable species traits like tree roots that may grow on top of the ground.



The following trees are especially good for the Mid South and are some of our favorites. Landscaping in the area for over 27 years has given us a great insight into which trees are best for this area. Your local extension agency will have a list for your area. Before you plant any of the following trees, be sure you know how big and wide they will grow so that you can put them in the right place in your yard.



Autumn Blaze Maple is one of our favorites and the fastest growing maple. It's resistant to insects and disease, has award winning foliage, and great fall color.



Thuja Green Giant grows 3-5 feet each year, grows tall but takes up little room, and is disease resistant.

Royal Empress Tree grows up to 12 feet a year, has dense foliage, fragrant blooms, and is easy to grow.



Arapaho Crape Myrtle has bright red color, blooms spring to fall, very disease resistant, and grows well in tight spots.



Nelle Stevens Holly will give you year round privacy, is fast growing, grows almost anywhere, and is easy to maintain.



Tulip Poplar has gorgeous yellow fall foliage, grows up to 6 feet. a year, full yellow blooms in the spring, hard to beat for shade.
 


Lombardy Poplar grows up to 6 feet a year, easy to grow, great for windbreaks, fast growing for privacy.



Cryptomeria has soft feathery foliage which is great in arrangements, grows in any soil, easy to grow, and has a unique shape.

Kwanzan Cherry has vibrant pink blooms in spring and grows almost anywhere.



Autumn Cherry blooms in the spring and fall, has elegant white flowers, hugh double blooms, and is very adaptable.



These trees will grow fast if not planted too close to the house. Be sure you know how tall and full they will get before you place them. You may want to talk to a local nurseryman about your selection and you may want to ask him if there are any problems with these trees in your area. Water and fertilize them for the first 5 years until they are well established and you will be rewarded with a great fast growing trees. If you need more information on types of trees for different sites please visit http://www.flowers-plants-gardening-advice.com/types-of-trees.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/ten-top-trees-that-grow-fast-643764.html

About the Author:

Julia and her husband enjoy sharing their passion by teaching others about gardening through their popular web site http://www.flowers-plants-gardening-advice.com/ You can make money with your passion too. Please visit http://passion.sitesell.com/Julia21.html for more information.

Growing bamboo plants is not that difficult even for the worst green thumb in the world

Growing Bamboo Plants In Five Easy steps!

Author: Dean Caporella

Growing bamboo plants is not that difficult even for the worst green thumb in the world and should be a straightforward exercise.



However, there are some delicate stages bamboo will go through during it's early phase and we'll present a simple 5 step process to getting your plant into the ground, ready to face the world!



Bamboos are very hardy and will enhance the appearance of any garden. They are great for creating fence lines and for providing privacy, particularly in suburban areas.



The two varieties of bamboo, running and clumping are two different beasts in a sense. The running variety can be great for creating a quick fix to a fence line but it has caused issues in the past because of it's intrusive nature. There are ways to contain this variety within a designated space but that's for another article. We are more concerned with getting your plant in the ground and on it's way to full growth.



5 Step Planting Process



1. Digging your hole requires two very important considerations. Firstly, the hole should be at least the depth of the pot the plant is sitting in and secondly, you want to give it plenty of space. A general guide for width is about twice the width of the pot. Some go even a little wider.



2. Once the hole is dug, add a generous amount of compost mix into the soil. The compost and soil will surround the plant.



3. When the bamboo is positioned in the hole, the clump of soil around the plant when extracted from it's pot should be level with the soil line.



4. Watering is extremely important during the plant's early growth. Be careful not to let the soil around the plant dry out. Some experts consider the first 12-18 months as vital and watering consistently during this period is a prime objective.



5. Fertilizing can be tricky. The plant should receive at least three applications during the first 6-12 months. Presuming you are planting in Spring, fertilize then apply follow up applications in summer and the fall. A nitrogen-based fertilizer is highly desirable when growing bamboo plants.



Right Time To Plant



Spring is usually regarded as the best time for growing bamboo. Planting at this time means the plant is heading into the warmer months however, provided areas don't drop below 40-45 degrees faranheit or 5-7 degrees celcius in temperature then it may not matter when you plant.



The important thing to remember is to get the plant established during the first six months and although it is a hardy plant, it still needs plenty of nurturing during the vital root growth stage.



Growing bamboo plants in sub tropical and tropical areas is very successful but they can struggle in very cold climates. If you live in a cold climate then consider growing them inside.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/growing-bamboo-plants-in-five-easy-steps-203786.html

About the Author:

Want to grow the best bamboo plants in your neighborhood? Enhance your garden's appearance with the latestgrowing bamboo tips plus news and reviews.

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Control Bamboo From Spreading: Keep Bamboo In Check

Once you have grasped the nature of bamboo, maintaining it at a healthy level is relatively easy.

TAGS: bamboo, running bamboo, bamboo plant, bamboo planting

How To Keep Your Bamboo In Check And Avoid War With The Neighbors!

Author: Dean Caporella

Growing bamboo for the first time requires a little due diligence however, once you have grasped the nature of bamboo, maintaining it at a healthy level is relatively easy.



Growing bamboo is basically like building a house; you want to make sure the foundation is solid otherwise you'll encounter problems later on. It's placement in a garden is important. Generally, they enjoy full sun and in the initial growing phase, require some attention via watering, fertilizing and protection from competing weeds.



Runners And Clumpers



One aspect of growing this plant that people often overlook is the nature of bamboo: is it a running variety or a clumper. If you live in suburbia or a high density housing area then runners may not be a good idea unless you have a sound knowledge of containing them. Running varieties can cause havoc because of their ability to produce runners below the surface which can travel a great distance from the main base of the plant.



Running Varieties



Running bamboo is ideal in creating fence breaks or privacy barriers between neighbors and containing them, following sound planting principles, is achievable. Containment barriers such as large pots are the safest methods but for in-ground planting, then you'll need to build a special barrier around the plant. There are various methods which involve digging 2-3 feet deep around the area of the plant base.



Lining the wall of the barrier is often open to plenty of conjecture with plastic, concrete or metal used. Once the barrier is in place the bamboo is then planted. How effective is this against the spread of underground runners? Again, it's debatable. You'll get arguments for and against and may have to perform extra maintenance work away from the plant such as keeping surrounding sections dry.



Clumpers



With clumpers, the restriction barrier isn't required in most cases although some experienced gardeners will install lighter barriers just to play it safe. The root structure requires plenty of room to move so bear in mind, if you want the plant to reach maximum height, then be sure not to place it in too restrictive a base.



Bamboo can be planted at most times of the year. If you live in a cold climate, then make sure the planting takes place during the warmer months. This will give the plant plenty of time to mature and become established before the cold hits. Plant it too late and it won't, in all probability, survive the cold.



Planting bamboo requires a little homework initially but don't worry, it isn't "rocket science." Your bamboo garden center should be able to provide you with all the necessary instructions to negotiate your first planting venture. One more thing, you will need to check with your local government authority to ascertain whether planting bamboo is allowed. There are restrictions in some areas, particularly with the running varieties.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/how-to-keep-your-bamboo-in-check-and-avoid-war-with-the-neighbors-85789.html

About the Author:

Dean Caporella is a professional broadcaster. Read this guide now before planting bamboo. Plus get the latest bamboo news and reviews at:http://www.bamboogalore.com

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OVERVIEW:

Are you planning to create a bamboo hedge to screen your yard for privacy? Well here are some sure-fire points you do not want to miss!

Bamboo Screening, Bamboo Landscaping, Bamboo Plants, Bamboo Care, How to Care for Bamboo, Bamboo Fertilizer, Growing Bamboo

Planting, Growing and Caring for the Ultimate Bamboo Hedge

Author: David Schindel

Are you planning to create a bamboo hedge to screen your yard for privacy? Well here are some sure-fire points you do not want to miss!


First, when creating a bamboo hedge you first want to determine the actual height that you want from your bamboo. The screening height that you will obtain from your bamboo will depend on your climate conditions. Bamboo plants are very adaptive to various climates; however, the height that is listed for the bamboo plant is for optimal growing conditions. Example: if you want a hedge height of 10 feet (3.05 m) and you live in a cold climate region then you may want to select a bamboo plant with a maximum height of 18 – 20 feet (5.49 – 6.10 m). Keep in mind that if the bamboo plant starts to grow taller than you want it is very easy to control the height.


Also pay attention to the light requirements for the species that you choose in relation to the placement of your landscaping.


Second, you want to select 2 – 3 different types of bamboo plants. By doing this if one species in the hedge dies you still have 1 – 2 others still actively growing. If you would just plant one bamboo species and it dies you have just lost your entire screening. You could plant three different types of bamboo and adjust your height accordingly. It would bring a nice looking dynamic to your landscaping.


Third, when selecting the different species, you will want Leptomorph or running bamboo. When planting this type of bamboo you will want to install a barrier or to proactively practice rhizome control to prevent your bamboo from running into other people’s properties. Keep your neighbor in mind just because you want bamboo does not mean that your neighbor does. If you are in a wide open space with nothing around you then the barrier may not be a big issue for you.


Be sure to water thoroughly after planting. Keep in mind that you will want to water very liberally for the first few days to a week depending on your current weather conditions. After that you will want to keep the soil moist. Do not soak the bamboos roots and rhizome, this will cause them to rot and die.


Do not fertilize newly planted bamboo until the plants have taken hold. When the plants have taken the best type of fertilizer would be rotted cow or horse manure.


Growing and caring for bamboo is not a difficult task you just need a little time and TLC.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/planting-growing-and-caring-for-the-ultimate-bamboo-hedge-193991.html

About the Author:

David Schindel shares his expertise and knowledge with Growing, Pruning, and Caring for Bamboo Plants. Receive the latest Bamboo Tips and Techniques by subscribing to Free "Bamboo Care Tips Newsletter" at: http://www.BambooCareInfo.com

Bamboo Screening, Bamboo Landscaping, Bamboo Plants, Bamboo Care, How to Care for Bamboo, Bamboo Fertilizer, Growing Bamboo

Getting ready to Start to Grow Bamboo

OVERVIEW:

Bamboo may be one of the very best candidates for a kind of plant to grow in or outside your home. Bamboo is attractive, can bloom in a multitude of colors (depending on the variety), and, once mature, can survive with relatively little maintenance.

Get Started Growing Bamboo

Author: Jerry Work

Bamboo may be one of the very best candidates for a kind of plant to grow in or outside your home. Bamboo is attractive, can bloom in a multitude of colors (depending on the variety), and, once mature, can survive with relatively little maintenance. It is a good choice of plant for the busy, modern day person - except it's not really a plant. Bamboo is actually a kind of tall forest grass, which is what makes it such an adaptable plant. There are many different kinds of bamboo which are appropriate for specific environments - wet, dry, warm or cold. Picking the right bamboo for your surroundings is very important.

Do not be fooled by the "lucky bamboo" that is sold in some stores. That bamboo, which requires nothing but some water in a vase to grow, is actually dracaena, a very common houseplant. As a side note, you can save a lot of money on lucky bamboo by buying it under its true name. There is a huge markup in the price when it is tagged and sold as lucky bamboo. Real bamboo requires more diligence than the falsely named lucky variety.



Bamboo grows best when exposed to maximum sunlight, although it is often advisable to provide shading for young bamboo plants. Bamboo also needs water, fertilizer, and protection to grow to its fullest, just like any other plant. You need to give your bamboo as much love and attention as your other plants.



Bamboo should be planted in a rich, organic soil. If your soil is too heavy, you might want to add mulch. The mulch should be placed around the bamboo at a thickness of about two inches. Good sources of mulch for growing bamboo include grass, compost, and manure.



Bamboo thrives best in warmer climates. If you live in a climate where it is reasonably warm year-round, then you can just about plant your bamboo any time you want. However, if you live somewhere with cold winters, you should plant the bamboo early enough in the year to allow it to harden before winter arrives. A layer of heavy mulch can also help bamboo survive a cold winter environment.



One thing to keep in mind about bamboo is that it is a running plant, meaning that it has roots that spread out, often destroying nearby plants and animal habitats. For this reason, it is often recommended that a barrier be placed up to 30 inches in the ground to block the spread of roots. When bamboo roots encounter obstacles while expanding outward, they will grow downward, looking for a new way to go. That is why the barrier needs to be so deep.



Bamboo can also be grown in a pot, although it requires more care and attention. For example, in a pot, bamboo can get too dry or too wet because it lacks its own access to soil in the ground. Bamboo grown in pots does not tend to grow as well as bamboo in the ground.



Young bamboo plants should be watered liberally, as much as every day during the summertime. More mature bamboo requires less watering. Also, young, thin bamboo stalks may need to be tied to a stake or some kind of sturdy object to prevent wind damage.



So, yes, bamboo does require some work, especially in the beginning - way more than your lucky bamboo. But it is definitely worth the effort to introduce such a pleasing and unusual plant to your home.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/get-started-growing-bamboo-392112.html

About the Author:For more information about bamboo or bamboo flooring, visit WorldFloorsDirect.com, a company specializing in wood flooring that originates from managed sustainable forests.

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All About Bamboo and Growing Bamboo for your Tropical landscape.

Tropical landscape and gardening Article: Growing the exotic Bamboo plant.

Bamboo

Author: Abhijit Banerjee

One of the most enduring images of India’s freedom struggle is that of Mahatma Gandhi setting out on the Salt March in 1930, on a 140 kilometre trek from Ahmedabad to Dandi. All he had by the way of support were the multitudes behind him, and the bamboo stave by his side. The bamboo in his hands, today more than ever before, is one of the newest hopes for a sustainable future. Found in almost every kind of climate and region, from cold mountains to tropical forests and marsh lands, the bamboo is the fastest growing plant on our planet. Environmentalists believe that if bamboo were used in a major way in afforestation programs the world over, there would be a significant reduction in global warming. Here are some of its other benefits to humans and their environments --

• It is one of the cheapest renewable sources of building material available to man.






• At the same time, it provides rural communities with a sustainable livelihood.






• It is one of the fastest growing components of forests, and thus plays an important role in the development of animal habitats.






• It costs neither a lot of energy nor money, to cultivate.






• Bamboo has been an important part of art, music, tradition and ceremonies through out the Asian continent.

Varieties

There are approximately 91 general and about 1000 species of bamboo around the globe. These vary in height from about one foot plants to giant bamboos that grow over 100 feet. Broadly speaking, Bamboo is divided into 2 main classifications – Running Bamboo and Clumping Bamboo.

1. Running Bamboo – This type of Bamboo travels under the soil using creeping rhizomes and emerges out of the ground at a distance from the original source. This variety is normally found in temperate climate countries like China and Japan. It is very effective in binding the soil together as the rhizome intersection is extensive and strong. Each joint of the Running bamboo stem has a single bud, which in many cases grow to become a new bamboo clump.






2. Clumping Bamboo – In this variety, the clump and the rhizome are a single entity, in which the upper portion of the rhizome has buds. The bud then grow into a new rhizome which turns upwards and emerges, from the ground, as a second clump close to the original. This variety can also be grown from cuttings. They are normally found more in tropical and semi tropical climates.

Growing Bamboos

Bamboos need plenty of water in a well drained, fertile soil to grow optimally. This is why they are most commonly found on river banks or the edges of swamps, never directly touching the water. During the dry season, bamboo clumps lie dormant, spreading through shoots sprouting from their base once it rains. The bamboo is an extremely sturdy plant and is naturally quite resistant to pests though the occasional Running Bamboo plant is prone to the Bamboo Mites which make a small but distinctive web on the plant. Some bamboo varieties may also be grown indoors.

Precautions During Bamboo Cultivation

• Large bamboo produces large woody underground rhizomes that could damage paving, buildings or drainage systems if planted too close to these or other structures.






• The roots which grow from the rhizomes of clumping bamboo are long and fibrous like those of palms or large clumping grasses. These are useful in stabilising the soil and preventing erosion, but may also create problems. Being flexible and fibrous rather than hard and woody, these roots will grow into and along slotted drainage pipes or any cracks in metal or ceramic pipes.






• Bamboo rhizomes grow underground to emerge quite a distance away from the mother plant. So if planted in a wet, well drained and rich soil, bamboo can quickly spread and strangle other trees and plants in the area.






• Once established as a grove, it is difficult to completely remove bamboo without digging up the entire network of underground rhizomes. If bamboo must be removed, an alternative to digging it up is to cut down the culms, and then repeatedly mow down new shoots as they arise, until the root system exhausts its energy supply and dies. If any leaves are allowed to photosynthesize the bamboo survives and will keep spreading.

Traditional Uses

The bamboo is a highly useful plant, a renewable resource with multiple uses. It has played a crucial role in the life of people all across south and south east Asia. Here are some of them --

• Bamboo pulp is used for making paper






• It may be burnt as fuel






• Bamboo is known not only for the aesthetic beauty it imparts to its surroundings, but also for its tensile strength. Research has shown that during structural engineering tests, bamboo has a much higher tensile strength than many alloys of steel and a higher compressive strength than many mixtures of concrete. Which is why, for long, it has been a standard material in construction.






• Its leaves are a good fodder for animals and fish.






• Bamboo is used to make simple bowls, glasses etc by the simple expedient of cutting it from above and below a node.






• It is used to make musical instruments. The flutes of Benares are a good example of this.






• Many canes of bamboo lashed together, are still used as rafts and boats across the world.






• In 1854, Henricg Globel, a German watchmaker made the first true light bulb. He used a carbonised bamboo filament inside a glass bulb. In 1879, Thomas Alva Edison too used bamboo splits as filaments, working with bamboo obtained from Japan. The bamboo filament tended to last about forty hours before burning out.






• Bamboo is an important ingredient in many world cuisines. Its shoots are considered a delicacy in many parts of the world and are consumed in a variety of ways. They are sometimes pickled and used as a condiment, or used with other vegetables in a stir fry. Bamboo sap is also used to make a sweet wine while its leaves are used as wrappers for steaming food. The inner hollow in the bamboo stalks are also used to cook rice and boil soup. Bamboo along with other ingredients is used for making pancakes as well.






• Bamboo plays an important role in the Chinese medicine system as well as in Ayurveda. Its roots are used to treat kidney problems and bamboo secretions are considered helpful in alleviating symptoms of asthma. Its sap is said to reduce fever and roots and leaves have properties that have been used to treat cancer. The Chinese also use bamboo to treat many infections. Bamboo skin prevents bacterial growth due to its antioxidant properties.

Modern Uses of Bamboo

Though one has stepped into the modern world today with changing lifestyles and choices, bamboo is still used in the same way across large parts of the world as it was used in the past. In fact it is rightly believed by many that no other plant has had the impact that bamboo has had on so many cultures over such an extended period of time. But now, with the help of technology, scores of new uses have been found for the age old bamboo. Here are some --

• Bamboo furniture






• Bamboo flooring






• Bamboo blinds






• Bamboo is a very comfortable eco fibre which is naturally anti-microbial. Due to the presence of micro pores, the fabric absorb three times more moisture than cotton, making it very comfortable to wear in the hot summer.

Did You Know?

• Bamboo can grow about 4 feet in under 24 hours.






• A Bamboo plant can be continuously re-harvested every 3 years, without causing any negative impact on the soil and the environment.






• The dense roots of the bamboo plant are so deep into the soil and remain firmly intact that they prevent soil erosion in a very effective manner.






• It retains twice as much water in the underground watershed.






• It consumes nitrogen and thus remove pollution.



Bamboo plant produces 35% more oxygen than any other tree species. Bamboo also protects against ultraviolet rays.



• Soft bamboo shoots, stems, and leaves are the major food source of the endangered Giant Panda of China.






• The plant marketed as "lucky bamboo" is actually an entirely unrelated species, Dracaena sanderiana.






• Bamboo is the only living thing that survived the Hiroshima atomic blast. It also provided the initial re- greening of that place.

Lucky Bamboo

Lucky Bamboo is, strangely enough, not a bamboo at all. It is a resilient member of the lily family that grows in the dark, tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and Africa. Lucky Bamboo has long been associated with the Eastern practice of Feng Shui - or the bringing of natural elements of water, fire, earth, wood and metal into balance within the environment. It is believed to be an ideal example of the thriving wood and water element, with the addition of a red ribbon sometimes tied around the stalks - which is believed to "fire" the positive flow of energy or chi in the room.

About the Author:

Freelance writer specially in areas of sustainable living. Copperwiki, a conscious living website.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Bamboo

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Cold Hardy Palm Trees For Landscape Design And Planting In The United States

Author: Pat Malcolm

Scattered reports of palm trees growing in Northern areas of the United States and Canada have been known for many years. Semi-truck loads of windmill palm trees have been unloaded and successfully grown in Canada and the Northeast beginning in the year 2000. These windmill palm trees, Trachycarpus fortunei, provide many resorts and homeowners with a tropical look for their pools or patios. Needle palms, although very rare and available only in short supply, tolerate below zero temperatures of the north. Dwarf palmetto palm trees, Sabal minor, and Dwarf saw palmetto palm trees, Serenoa repens, demonstrate cold hardy qualities and are especially desirable as hedges, borders, and as a privacy block.





Windmill Palm Trees – Trachycarpus fortunei





The most cold hardy palm tree is the windmill palm tree, Trachycarpus fortunei, a palm tree that is found growing as far north as Canada. The cold hardy quality is especially historically notable of the windmill palm trees, where the trees are lined around Lake Lucerne, Switzerland leading up to the city walls. Extensive plantings of windmill palm trees, Trachycarpus fortunei have been known for years in southern resort areas such as the Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia, where the entrance to the hotel greets guests with thin, graceful trunks of windmill palms. Tall windmill palm trees also can be seen at the Retreat Plantation Golf Course on St. Simons Island, Georgia at the club house entrance. TyTy Nursery began selling windmill palm trees a decade ago as small trees and recently have successfully transported large windmill palm trees by semi-trucks for planting in such northern cold states as Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and many others. These large windmill palm trees appear to have survived temperatures of below zero and heavy snow and ice storms. It is now possible for Northern states to plant with a tropical garden look around their pool or patio. Windmill palm trees have a great future in the United States as an outstanding tree with a tropical exotic appearance, and a palm tree that survives severe cold temperatures and snows of the north.





Needle Palm Trees - Rhapidophyllum hystrix





Many palm trees have been tested for their quality of cold hardy survival, and the needle palm, Rhapidophyllum histrix, rates high on the list. The needle palm tree was tested years ago at the Brooklyn, New York, Botanical Gardens, and the palm was found to grow well and remain green after snow and ice storms fell during the winter. One quality that the needle palm tree features is slow growth that produces waxy leaf coverings that protect the growing tissue from fast freezing temperatures. The needle palm tree, Rhapidophyllum histrix, produces long needle projections at the base of each palm leaf. This needle is stiff and ominous to man and beast and is responsible for the descriptive name: needle palm tree. The needle palm tree tends to grow in clumps, producing small offset needle palm trees at the base, however, seeds are commonly produced which are scattered around the base of the needle palm tree. The seed of the needle palm tree sprout slowly to grow into small plants. Large needle palm trees can grow for hundreds of years in age, but are rarely found as a native palm tree in forests, because collectors have dug them for landscapes. Even though some needle palm trees have been documented to be 15 feet tall, the trees are rare and expensive in large mature sizes.





Dwarf palmetto palm tree - Sabal minor





In the south, the dwarf palmetto palm tree is commonly found growing as small shrubs and colonies along sandy coastal areas and in poor swampy soils inland. The dwarf palmetto palm, Sabal minor, competes aggressively with other shrubs and trees in native American forests and is a valuable landscape shrub in many exclusive resort areas, because once established, it is evergreen and requires virtually no maintenance in landscapes. Many gardeners have unfortunately tried to dig dwarf palmetto palm trees to transplant and grow in their yards, but because of the extensive root system that is removed, most transplanted dwarf palmetto palm trees wither and die shortly after planting. Good results of planting dwarf palmetto palm trees can be experienced, if the gardener decides to buy nursery container trees. Striking specimens of dwarf palmetto palm trees can be seen when clumps of small trees are removed from the mother plant, that often contains a curved shapely trunk of 4-5 feet topped by beautiful green leaves.





Dwarf Saw Palmetto Palm Tree – Serenoa repens





High demand from the landscaping nursery industry has stressed the supply and availability of the Saw Palmetto Palm tree, "Serenoa repens". This palm tree grows as a silver form and a green form. It illuminates the dark backgrounds under dense shade. This dwarf palm tree forms clumps and often is used as border hedges and screens. Saw Palmetto palm trees are not fast growing but are evergreen and cold hardy in many Northern areas of the United States, where snow and ice damage most green plants. Cold hardy palm trees are a valuable landscape tree in cold areas where a tropical look, around pools and patios are useful. Recent tree plantings of the Dwarf Saw Palmetto palm trees at golf courses have stressed the supply of these plants. As a native plant discovered by William and John Bartram in 1773, on St. Simon's Island, GA near Fort Frederica, the Dwarf Saw Palmetto palm tree was discovered growing and was identified by Bartram as "spinosis " (Dwarf Saw Palmetto). He also found "Corpha palma", or Great Cabbage Palm, "Corpha pumila", "Corpha repens" and "Corpha obliqua".

About the Author:
Visit TyTy Nursery to purchase the trees mentioned in this article, or many others that you may be looking for!Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Cold Hardy Palm Trees For Landscape Design And Planting In The United States

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Northern Cold Hardy Palm Trees for your tropical landscape or tropical garden.

OVERVIEW: Good summery of palms that do well in cold climates. 

Cold Hardy Palm Trees For Northern Garden Planting.   Author: Pat Malcolm

Palm trees were once thought to be suitable for planting only in tropical landscapes, however, several cold hardy palm trees occur naturally, growing in America, where snows fall during winter. The windmill palm tree, Trachycarpus fortunei; the Dwarf Palmetto palm tree, Sabal minor; the Saw palmetto, Serenoa repens; and the Sabal Palm, sabal palmetto; and the Needle Palm, Rhapidophyllun hystrix; Much of the information that is published in book from, magazine articles and Internet websites is extremely conservative, perhaps because the testing for national cold hardiness is of a recent origin; and also temperature fluctuations caused by global warming increases the survival rate of palm tree plantings in recent years. Try buying a few palm trees in your garden to plant and grow. Very large specimen palm trees can be purchased for semi-truck fast delivery at a few Internet nursery websites.

The Windmill palm tree, Trachycarpus fortunei, also is called a Chusan palm and a Chinese Windmill palm tree, was imported from Japan, perhaps first, into the United States, but most botanists believe that this palm tree originated in China, where many seed and specimen trees were purchased to import into the US. Windmill palm trees are a common landscape sight throughout Europe, the United States, and Canada. These Windmill palm trees are very cold hardy, and can be see flourishing along the city streets of Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, where the palms grow up to 40ft in height. The slender, graceful trunks are covered with brown-black fibers that appear as hair from a distance, and with aging, the fibers turn gray, and on large old trees the fibers fall off to reveal a slick beautiful trunk. The waxy leaves are bright green above and silver-green below; growing 2 feet long and 2 feet wide, smaller than most other palm trees. Windmill palm trees grow a flower stalk 2 feet long, with yellow, pleasantly aromatic flowers developing into ½" long blue fruits.

Windmill palm trees, Trachycarpus fortunei, are so cold hardy that semi-truck loads of large specimen sized trees have been nursery distributed for customers in Canada who wish to buy a palm to place in a tropical landscape design. The famous Cloister Hotel at Sea Island, Georgia plants grouping of large Windmill palms, some 20-30 feet for planting near entrances and landscape positions close to buildings. Windmill palms are tolerant of salt water spray and are very adaptable for planting and growing in most areas of the United States.


The Dwarf Palmetto palm tree, Sabal minor, is not a fast growing plant, and gorws abundantly in pine tree forests, and in poorly drained lowlands. Innumerable colonies of dwarf palmetto palm grow next to the highway between Albany, Georgia and Blakely, Georgia on swampland, that is under water periodically, and the dwarf palmetto palms grow in very heavy shade. Native to the Southeastern US, this palm grows small trunks that remain hidden behind the leaves. The flower stalk grows four to six feet, and white flowers grow into one-half inch, black fruit. This extremely adaptable palm tree is drought tolerant, and popularly is grown as a native, landscape specimen shrub or in rows as a privacy screen. This dwarf palmetto grows beautiful, pest resistant leaves, and can be seen growing as a salt water resistant plant in large landscape borders of Sea Island, Georgia, where land purchasers value the natural appearance and incorporate the plant into landscape designs.

Saw palmetto, Serenoa repens, is one of the native Southeastern plants that has become the rage for planting as a cold hardy palm in Northern States, where it can survive temperatures of -10 F. The beautiful blue or green colored leaves are shiny and waxy, growing about five feet long. The flower stalk grows 3 feet long and appears in the heat of the summer, covered with white flowers that form blue fruit one inch in diameter. The saw palmetto palm tree is very adaptable for cold hardy growing in Northerne states, where temperature extremes damage most other palms. These palm trees are grown mostly as clumping shrubs in naturalistic landscapes. You should buy large Saw palmetto palms, as they do not transplant well and should be planted and grown from a container plant nursery. Very exotic trunks form on century old Saw palmetto palms, that can be seen growing on the sand dunes next to salt water waves spraying the leaves at Sea Island, Georgia. Trunks on these trees had the lower leaves removed to reveal trunks 4ft long that can grow parallel to the ground or at right angels or twisted. All palm tree trunks obviously shaped by storms or hurricanes, that may have blown over the plants rooted in the sand, only to regrow at a different angle. These palm trees must be seen to appreciate a dune of sand landscaped properly.

The Cabbage palm tree (Sabal palmetto) is also called the Sabal Palm, and is believed to be the most commonly planted palm tree in the Southern US. This palm tree is native to that area, and grows in forests throughout Florida and coastal Georgia. The Cabbage palm tree can grow to 40 feet, but only grows about one foot per year. Upon aging, the lower leaf stem remains (petioles) attached for many years, giving the trunk a bazaar, forbidding appearance. After many years, the leaf remains can be removed artificially, or naturally, giving the trunk a slick, desirable look in the landscape. During hot weather, white flowers grow fast, to 6 feet long, to produce one-half inch black fruit that fall to the ground. Sabal palm trees grow as far North as coastal Virginia, and Carolina landscapes, and are cold hardy to below zero temperatures. This Cabbage palm is drought resistant, requires little care or growth maintenance when planted in the landscape, and is so salt water tolerant, it can be found growing along the sea coast, sometimes falling into the ocean with sea erosion.

Sabal palm trees are considered as the State tree in Florida and South Carolina. Because Sable palm tree roots do not branch like other palms, transplanting the tree can be difficult unless the leaves are all removed before transplanting into home landscapes, and since they are not fast growing, it is not unusual for the palm tree to require 3 to 4 years to regrow the canopy leaves to normal size. The cabbage palm is also susceptible to hurricane damage, because its roots are not largely branched like other palm trees to anchor the trunk into the earth.

The Needle Palm, Rhapidoe phyllum histrix, is native to the Southeastern United States, and is considered to be one of the most cold hardy palm trees growing in the United States. Buyers find it difficult to purchase this palm tree, because it has been removed from most of the forests, where it is not a fast growing palm tree. Large trunks up to 4 feet tall are rare, and very expensive, costing each thousands of dollars. But, this needle palm has survived minus 10 degrees F at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden in New York for many years, unaffected by the snow and cold temperatures. The leaves are two feet long and 4 feet wide, and the trunk is dangerously armed with white, sharp, 5 inch needles, easily being detached from the trunk, with the overall appearance like that of a porcupine. Even though the needle palm trees hundred of years old are expensive, it is possible to buy smaller plants at reasonable prices for fast shipment at many Internet nursery websites.

About the Author:

Patrick A. Malcolm, owner of TyTy Nursery, has an M.S. degree in Biochemistry and has cultivated palm trees for over three decades.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Cold Hardy Palm Trees For Northern Garden Planting

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tropical landscaping Maintenance and Care for a Tropical Tree

OVERVIEW: This article talks about how to care for a tropical tree.

Things covered include tropical tree soil, air, water and light.

Maintenance That is Required for a Tropical Tree.

Author: Gen Wright

Tropical trees fall into the realm of elegance and need specific environmental conditions to flourish. If you want to plant and/or farm tropical trees, you must live in a tropical area, free of cold winters. Use the following guidelines to help you on your way to creating an environment where tropical trees will grow, year-round.

There are four conditions you need to follow in order to have optimal growth of tropical trees: sunlight, good drainage, regular irrigation, and occasional fertilization. If any of these conditions cannot be met, the tropical tree?s growth will be adversely affected. Many tropical trees will find a way to survive if an area is lacking, but they will suffer.

Most tropical trees grow faster and perform to the highest standard when placed in full, direct sunlight. When planning your tropical tree location, keep in mind that, at the minimum, the tree will need four hours of daily sunshine pressing into its branches and leaves. Sunshine brings happiness to trees. The more sunshine in a tree?s day, the happier it will be and the more plentiful will be its growth. If a tree grows in an environment of fragmented sunlight, or partial sun, the tree?s growth?branches, vines, needles, shoots, root structures?will all slow down.

If, for example, you are planting tropical bamboo species, and the sunlight is fragmented, then the number of shoots that grow will diminish. Some bamboo will stretch out their internodes if grown under the canopy of other tropical trees. Each tropical plant and tree has one main objective: hog up as much sunlight as possible.

With this constant sunlight, tropical trees need proper nutrients. They need lots of water. Water them daily during the early stages of a tropical tree?s life cycle. Consider using an irrigation system for best results. Certain tropical trees get the best start by being immersed in water constantly. You can wean off on the watering as your trees grow, gain strength and feed off that direct, constant field of sunlight.

The abundant water cycling necessary for tropical trees needs a place to go. Even tropical trees can drown. Proper drainage is just as necessary as your irrigation plans. Also, keep in mind that many tropical trees won?t survive if planted in muck or boggy conditions. The rhizome and root systems don?t like bogs or swamp-like settings. So, with good drainage, you can avoid creating mucky soil conditions. One thing to keep in mind is to build up what is known as a small berm. Then plant your trees in this hilltop area so that the excess water can only drain to lower ground cover.

Fertilizer is necessary in the diet of your tropical trees. Visit your local nursery or horticultural shop to discover the best fertilizer. Many tropical trees and plants grow best if they are given time-released fertilizer.

Compost and mulch are the easiest way to preserve the life of healthy tropical trees. If you purchase fresh, uncomposted mulch, fertilize first, then mulch. Also, remember this: don?t use weed-and-feed fertilizer. Once your tree enters the third year of its life cycle, pruning may be necessary. See your nursery experts to answer further questions on the fertilization process and pruning back tree branches.

About the Author:

Owner of MishoBonsai.com , has been practicing bonsai for over 10 years. Found a distinct interest in propagation, especially seed dormancy. Mishobonsai sells tree seeds and provide bonsai tree informations for beginner to advanced bonsai enthusisast.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Maintenance That is Required for a Tropical Tree

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Tropical Landscaping Article: Cold Hardy Tropical Plam Tree.

Overview:  This article is about growing cold hardy plam trees for you tropical landscape.

Cold Hardy Palm Trees For Landscapes In Southern States - Zones 8-11

Author: Pat Malcolm

In Southern States, the Northern type palm trees that withstand cold temperatures of -20* F will also thrive in the South. The Northern type palm trees, such as Windmill Palm trees, Trachycarpus fortunei, Needle Palm trees, Rhapidophyllum hystrix, Dwarf palmetto palm tree, Sabal minor, and Dwarf Saw Palmetto palm trees, Serenoa repens, are discussed in another article by the same author called "Cold Hardy Palm Trees for Landscape Design and Planting in the United States." Other palm trees that are abundantly planted and grown in the Southern States are the Washingtonia (Washington) Fan Palm Tree, Washingtonia robusa, the Pindo (Jelly) Palm Tree, Butia capitata 'Pindo,' the Sago Palm Tree, Cycas revoluta, the Chinese Fan Palm Tree, Livistonia chinensis, and the European Fan Palm Tree (Mediterranean Fan Palm Tree), Chamaerops humilis. This latter list of Southern States, adapted palm trees can be found planted and growing extensively throughout the South, principally because their growth rate is faster than the Northern States' list of cold hardy palm trees, and the cost is considerably less for large established specimens that offer a fast fix for the tropical look.

Washingtonia (Washington) Fan Palm, Washingtonia robusta, also known as the Mexican Fan Palm Tree, the Washingtonia (Washington) Fan Palm tree has been planted to grow in landscapes throughout the Southern United States. The Washingtonia Fan palm tree is a favorite tree for planting near motels, because it grows fast. Washington Fan palm trees also are lined along interstate highways and at metropolitan boulevard parks. The imposing height of this palm tree can grow 100 feet tall in Mexico where it is native. The Washingtonia (Washington) Fan Palm tree is the fastest growing of the cold hardy palm trees in America. TyTy Nursery offers various sizes of Washingtonia palm trees for the gardener to buy.

Pindo (Jelly) Palm Tree – Butia capitata ‘Pindo'

The distinctive look of the Pindo palm tree, Butia capitata ‘Pindo' is unforgettable. Pindo palm trees are tolerant of salt water spray and can be found growing up and down coastal areas from Virginia to South Florida, Zones 8-10. The leaf color of the Pindo palm tree is blue-green, growing up to 6 ft. long, but the actual palm tree rarely grows taller than fifteen feet tall. The large orange fruit is tasty and in the South is used to make jelly, tasting like banana-pineapple. The Pindo palm tree survived the severe zero degree temperatures in the historical 1983 deep freeze in the South.


Sago Palm Tree – Cycas revoluta

In Sicily, Italy, Sago palm trees grow to fifteen feet tall, but only after decades of growth. This palm tree, known as the Sago palm and is perhaps the most widely marketed palm tree, because of its easy maintenance requirements and livability. The Sago palm is commonly used as a container tree at restaurants and cafes. Sago palm trees are moderately cold hardy and this palm survived the zero temperatures in the winter of 1983. The Sago palm tree is a popular container palm tree to be placed in pairs at door entrances, Zones 8-11.


Chinese Fan Palm Tree – Livistonia chinensis

Even though the growth rate of the Chinese Fan palm tree is slow it can grow 25 ft. tall. The huge leaves are beautiful and arch upwards on the Chinese Fan Palm tree. The Chinese Fan palm tree is widely grown and adaptable in Zones 9-11. The Chinese Fan Palm tree, Livistonia chinensis, is commonly planted and grown as a landscape specimen.

European Fan Palm Tree (Mediterranean Fan Palm Tree) – Chamaerops humilis

A native palm tree to the Mediterranean region, the European Fan Palm, Chamaerops humilis can be seen growing extensively in Europe growing as clumps of outside specimen trees or potted in large containers useful as decorative trees outside restaurants and cafes at such cities as Paris, Rome and Athens. When stripped of offset palms the European Fan palm forms a very graceful plant solitary in landscapes, looking similar to the Windmill Palm tree, Trachycarpus fortunei, both with tall slender trunks and small fan shaped leaves. European Fan palm tree clumps are extensively used at the Cloister Hotel at Sea Island, GA as specimen clusters in the landscape design. They are cold hardy in Zones 8-11.

About the Author:

Buy the trees mentioned in this articles, as well as many others, from the authors website! TyTy Nursery Article Source

: ArticlesBase.com - Cold Hardy Palm Trees For Landscapes In Southern States - Zones 8-11

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Free Informative Articles and Advice All about Tropical Landscaping.

Free Informative Articles and Advice All about Tropical Landscaping. 

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