We are looking for a tree to plant in our backyard to provide some shade. We live in a location that gets lots of sun. We want something that will grow quickly, develop a canopy that we can walk under, will get approximately 20-30 feet tall, 15-20 feet wide, and not need a lot of water. Evergreen is probably out of the question. Any suggestions?
I think that your best bet may be a maple. Three maple species surfaced that meet your criteria of a quick growing, 20-30 feet tall tree with an equal or greater spread, that will do well in the sun.
--Acer circinatum, the vine maple (the only downside--this may be a bit shrubby for your landscape)
--Acer ginnala, the Amur maple
--Acer palmatum, the Japanese maple (you'll need to be choosy in order to find a cultivar that will reach 20-30 feet, but there are some that do. Additionally, A. palmatum will tolerate drier soils than A. circinatum.)
Sources:
The Pacific Northwest Gardener's Book of Lists , R. & J. McNeilan, 1997, p. 18, 27, 30.
Tree & Shrub Gardening for Washington and Oregon , A. Beck & M. Binetti, 2001, p. 244-249.
Trees & Shrubs for Northwest Gardens , J. A. Grant & C. L. Grant, 1990, p. 56-58.
Season
All Season
Date 2006-05-23
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There are several Fagus sylvatica varieties with purple foliage:
'Atropunicea' (copper beech, purple beech) alt. 'Riversii' or 'Purpurea' - 50-60 feet tall, 35-45 feet wide; good in containers
'Dawyck Purple' - columnar to 70 feet tall and 15 feet wide
'Purpurea Pendula' (weeping copper beech) - usu. no more than 10 feet tall and wide; good in containers
'Red Obelisk' - columnar
Source: Western Garden Book, Sunset Publishing Corporation, 7th edition, 2001, p.347.
And from Paghat:
F.sylvatica 'Black Swan' - swan neck growth habit
F.sylvatica 'Rohani'
Season
All Season
Date 2006-02-16
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