By Jean Cox, Executive Director Friends of Pinchgut Creek
Commentary
Oh, I love Spring! I get so excited when the daffodils, sweet violets, and dandelions bring the first little burst of happy color to our late Winter days. Those little flowers seem to be tiny beacons telling the plant world to wake up. Then, the Spring blooming trees quickly take heed and start showing off. The spectacle might make you want to hit up the garden center to find the most gorgeous flowering trees to add to your yard. Before you start digging those holes, please fully research the variety you are interested in. Some of the showiest varieties of trees are low-down, no-good noxious plants that should be avoided.
The most invasive of the Spring blooming trees, the Bradford Pear, is unfortunately common in our area. Most nurseries no longer carry them because of how invasive they are, and because they are notorious for splitting in half. However, Bradfords are not the only pear trees that should be avoided. There are many varieties of obnoxious Callery Pear trees still in the stores.
Instead of planting ornamental pears, I wish more people would consider REAL pear trees, the ones that make fruit. Bartlett and Keiffer pear trees are self-pollinating and have gorgeous blooms. You can have those beautiful flowers and look forward to delicious Summer fruits with minimal effort. They are probably the easiest to maintain fruit tree that will grow in Alabama.
Crabapple trees are also great and easy to grow trees for our area. Some are ornamental and some produce small tart apples that make divine jelly. The Southern Crabapple is native with white Spring blooms and edible tart green and rose-tinted fruits. Callaway Crabapple, which was bred from the native Southern variety, has gorgeous white blooms and a sweeter darker red apple. There are many varieties of ornamental crabapples that would be lovely additions to your gardens as well none of which are invasive.
If you just want big color and don’t desire fruits, the Redbud might be right the tree for you. Eastern Redbuds are native and can be found scattered throughout most Alabama forests. They have beautiful purple/fuchsia blooms and pretty heart shaped leaves. Some cultivars of Redbuds have been developed with darker leaves or white blooms. The darker leaved varieties such as ‘Forest Pansy’ are nice though they do appreciate a bit of shade.
No matter which variety of flowering tree you choose, make sure to plant it in the right space. Consider the mature size of the tree and don’t plant them too close to power lines or your home. Also, please consider possible underground utilities. When in doubt, call 811 to make sure it is safe to dig your planting hole in your chosen location.
Tree Talk: Choosing Spring Bloomers
By Jean Cox, Executive Director Friends of Pinchgut Creek
Commentary
Oh, I love Spring! I get so excited when the daffodils, sweet violets, and dandelions bring the first little burst of happy color to our late Winter days. Those little flowers seem to be tiny beacons telling the plant world to wake up. Then, the Spring blooming trees quickly take heed and start showing off. The spectacle might make you want to hit up the garden center to find the most gorgeous flowering trees to add to your yard. Before you start digging those holes, please fully research the variety you are interested in. Some of the showiest varieties of trees are low-down, no-good noxious plants that should be avoided.
The most invasive of the Spring blooming trees, the Bradford Pear, is unfortunately common in our area. Most nurseries no longer carry them because of how invasive they are, and because they are notorious for splitting in half. However, Bradfords are not the only pear trees that should be avoided. There are many varieties of obnoxious Callery Pear trees still in the stores.
Instead of planting ornamental pears, I wish more people would consider REAL pear trees, the ones that make fruit. Bartlett and Keiffer pear trees are self-pollinating and have gorgeous blooms. You can have those beautiful flowers and look forward to delicious Summer fruits with minimal effort. They are probably the easiest to maintain fruit tree that will grow in Alabama.
Crabapple trees are also great and easy to grow trees for our area. Some are ornamental and some produce small tart apples that make divine jelly. The Southern Crabapple is native with white Spring blooms and edible tart green and rose-tinted fruits. Callaway Crabapple, which was bred from the native Southern variety, has gorgeous white blooms and a sweeter darker red apple. There are many varieties of ornamental crabapples that would be lovely additions to your gardens as well none of which are invasive.
If you just want big color and don’t desire fruits, the Redbud might be right the tree for you. Eastern Redbuds are native and can be found scattered throughout most Alabama forests. They have beautiful purple/fuchsia blooms and pretty heart shaped leaves. Some cultivars of Redbuds have been developed with darker leaves or white blooms. The darker leaved varieties such as ‘Forest Pansy’ are nice though they do appreciate a bit of shade.
No matter which variety of flowering tree you choose, make sure to plant it in the right space. Consider the mature size of the tree and don’t plant them too close to power lines or your home. Also, please consider possible underground utilities. When in doubt, call 811 to make sure it is safe to dig your planting hole in your chosen location.