Highland Hill Farm
Po. Box 517
Fountainville, PA 18923
215-651-8329
See How We Can Help Deliver and Plant Our Stock
Seedlingsrus
American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)
Sycamore trees are considered to be massive trees. Sycamores can easily identified by their height, spreading canopy with several massive branches, and its white bark in winter. The Sycamore also provides all season interest with its peeling bark which helps accent its white branches. With this mature tree, the lower trunk retains more of its plates creating a textured grey to white colors, that contrasts with the decreasing amount of white on its inner bark. We knew we had decent soils around our property because the Sycamore likes rich deep moist but well drained soils. Although our farm is not near the usual native location for Sycamores, the paths of creeks and rivers which can be easily seen from a distance in winter by following the white bark of the Sycamore canopies, this tree was close to the barn. Between our kitchen window from where we look out to the barn was an even larger ash tree. This ash was so large that it dominated our back yard and effectively blocked our few of the Sycamore Tree. I decided that the ash had to go. It was a sad day for it was a great tree. The next morning when we sat down for breakfast and looked out to the barn we were rewarded with a dazzling display of light and dark contrasts from the eastern sun reflecting off the Sycamore as it rewarded us for opening up its refreshing reflection of the new day. Since that day, every sun filled morning we enjoy this thank you from the Sycamore.
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Shade Trees At Highland Hill Farm and Seedlingsrus
What is the size of the tree you are looking for? Is it small, medium, or large? This is important because trees can over power a landscape. Plant trees based on the correct size for the landscape application. If the tree will become large,don't plant them 3 feet from your house . You have to plan where to place the tree based on its ultimate size. Take into consideration the crown of the tree. You don't want it to burden your house. The crown of the tree may grow to the desired height but the tree may be to narrow to give the desired effect. Another consideration is what kind of roots will this tree put out? Will they spread like willows on the surface and travel 50 yards to your septic. Will the roots lift up you patios and driveway? You could be blinded by the visual effect and not see the damage that a tree can do with its roots. I have listed below some of the more popular trees that we grow and a link for the tree if we have one available. We have many trees that are not on our list so if you don't see what you want E-Mail Us.
Acer Griseum (Paper Bark Maple)
Acer Rubrum(Red Maple)American Hornbeam(Blue Beech)
Fagus Sylvatica 'Purpurea(Copper Beech)
Quercus acutissima(Sawtooth Oak)
Liquidambar styracifluaSweetgum Trees
Acer saccharinum (Silver Maple)
Platanus occidentalis (Sycamore Tree)
Acer Platanoides (Norway Maple Tree)
Fraxinus Pennsylvanica (Ash Tree)
Betula Nigra (River Birch) Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple)
Norway Maple in 1971
Norway Maple in 1997If I told you according to the FBI, studies have shown that in urban areas where there are abundant shade trees the crime levels are lower. You would beleive me. This is because people have a more positive outlook where the envirement is friendlier and where you feel more peaceful. The colors of nature are more pleasing than that of asphalt and concrete. Just as if you could have a color tv or a black and white for the same price, which is more pleasing? Urban shade trees also help prevent flooding. Trees hold back water with their surface area and slow runoff. High quality shade trees can reduce runoff and thus slow soil erosion. One shade tree can remove nearly 1 ton of co2 from the air and return it as oxygen. A one acre tree forest can provide enough oxygen for over a dozen people. Shade trees can also purify the air of SO2 and NO, two major components of acid rain and ozone pollution. Urban shade trees help block Fido's bark. Thus allowing you a better nights sleep. A stand of tree 90' by 45' tall can reduce noise levels by almost 50%. Would you now believe that half a sleeping pill will now do?
Shade Loving Plants
The first step in evaluating a site is to determine if trees overhead need to be pruned. These overhead trees may block air flow which can limit the vigor and health of low shade loving plants. The amount of light that reaches the ground will vary with the seasons and it is a moving target. The overhead trees will grow back as the landscape matures. This is the time to determine which trees should be removed. If the usefull life remaining in a tree is short because the tree is declining, diseased, or the tree has surface roots such as mullberry trees, berries that will be a mess, or hazzardous foot traps such as the walnuts, why not get them out of the way before you plant?
Densely shaded areas under large trees and under overhanging buildings are harder to plant than places that are partially shaded. The densely shaded areas may need extra water even in when in general there seems to be enough water. The large trees can absorb water needed by newly establishing plants. Large trees can deflect water away from the area under the canopy like an umbrella. Soil fertility also can be an issue. Trees and shrubs fill the soil with roots that use up nutrients as readily as they are applied. It may seem that the more you water and fertilize, the more roots with which you have to contend. Yet adequate fertility is essential for all your plants because without it they are likely to be small and weak. In most cases a spring application of a balanced fertilizer, followed by one or two applications durring the season, will help your shade plants survive the competition of tree and shrub roots. If root competition is a serious problem, planting in raised beds above ground is a viable alternative. Raised beds can be replanted each spring with annuals, since bulbs or perennials cannot be expected to survive winter's cold. With some exceptions shade-tolerant plants will do best in well-drained, relatively fertile soil. Both sandy soils and heavy, clay like soils will likely benefit from the incorporation of organic matter such as compost, or well-rotted manure. Such materials are particularly helpful in areas of hard, compacted soils.
Shade trees Can Help Helps Cut Heating and Cooling Costs
In the past week there has been an increasing interest in landscape design for energy conservation. Rising fuel costs can be offset by landscaping. The primary goal is to control wind and sun. In Pa. the first line of defence for energy savings is protection from the cold winter winds by the use of shade trees. Research shows that properly designed screens and buffers can reduce the heating cost of a typical residence by as much as 30 percent.
It is possible that a correctly installed screen of conifers or buffering shade trees could reduce heat loss by 20-30%. There have been studies that show that wind speeds around homes can be reduced by as much as 90%.
The best design depends on the
use and exact
location of the site. However, in most of Pa. the prevailing
winds are from
the northeast, thus, the maximum protection should be concentrated in
the north
east. A single row
of conifers
with staggered spacings is the best for protection from
both wind and
blowing snow. The wind is deflected up and over the screen,
creating a
well protected zone. The area of maximum
protection can
extend outward several times the height of the trees. If space is
at a premium,
fewer plants will be helpful, but the use of conifers and other densely
branched
species is essential for maximum winter protection.
Arborvitae make an excellent choice for providing winter protection. Arborvitae are commonly used evergreens useful in urban areas where low maintenance and durability is needed. Many cultivars with forms such as being globed in shape, columnar, or narrow pyramidal, tend to be near buildings, doors, and walkways. Other forms which are larger are used for screens and buffers that are planted in rows.
The form of arborvitae is small, medium, or large depending on the cultivar. Some reach 50', others only 3'. Most prefer full sun to partial sun. Planting in dense shade conditions should be avoided. A moist, well drained, loamy soil in full sunlight are ideal conditions for growing healthy arborvitae. These plants will tolerate rocky, clay, urban conditions of heat drought and pollution. The most important pest we have is bagworms which must be controlled to prevent complete defoliation. Some cultivars have multiple leaders which also prove to be a detraction for the plant. Pruning out multiple leaders in some cultivars is a simple remeady. The ease in planting and maintaining this plant make it an ideal choice for planting around the house.
Plant shrubs with wind direction in mind. Since south winds are generally warmer than northeast winds, it
is considered sufficient to have moderate protection on the east
and desirable
to leave the south open or restricted to rows of shrubs and
deciduous shade trees.
More openness to the south allows solar gain in the
winter and
for summer ventilation house.
The economic incentive of reduced heating costs is additional to known benefits of reduced snow clearing. While most homes have at least some naturally treed areas or planted screens protecting their yard, the full potential benefit from shade tree planting is far from being realized.
Energy conservation is a growing concern. Current studies confirm what fuel oil dealers and utilities have known all along, homes with screens, buffers, and shade trees use considerably less fuel. The time to begin planning for an energy conscious future is now.
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