Monarch's Picks for Trees 20'-70'

Magnolia Grandiflora. 'St. Mary' - Southern Magnolia

This is the first clone of Magnolia grandiflora selected and named within the U.S.

Description- Bushy compact form, growing to an eventual height of 20'. This Magnolia is faster growing than the the 'Little Gem' and has the traditional white flowers that help identify Magnolias.

Platanus X Acerifolia 'Columbia'- London Plane Tree

This tree has character. Exfoliating bark in shades of greys and greens. These large tough shade trees were hybridized and selected for their resistance to the fungal disease Sycamore anthracnose. This tree does well in demanding sites. This tree will reach maturity around 50 tall in 25 years. Great replacement for California Sycamore which prefers plenty of water.

Lagerstromia Indica- Crape Myrtle

Originally from Asia, this tree has been naturalized through the U.S. First introduced in the eighteenth century, this tree is not cultivated throughout the world. This tree has become popular in Southern Ca. due to the beautiful blooms and manageable height (approx. 25'). Crapes can grow larger based on conditions and maintenance practices.

Quercas Ilex- Holly Oak

The tree can also be referred to as the holm oak or evergreen oak. Native to Mediterranean Europe and Africa. This tree can live for well over 100 years and grow up to 65 feet tall. This oak grows almost 24" a year. 

Rhus Lancea- African Sumac

Originally from Africa this small to medium sized evergreen tree will grow up to 24' tall and equally wide. Dark gray or brown leaves with course bark give this tree a beautiful look. This tree requires very little water once established. The Sumac is a good alternative to the Brazilian Pepper.

Sustainable, Efficient and Beautiful

Life Cycle

Plants are living breathing organisms. All living organisms go through life stages. Plants germinate, grow, develop and decline. During this process they establish, flourish and eventually decline. So why are we so surprised when plants die? As stewards of our environment, it's important that we replace the plants with material that is sustainable, efficient and aesthetically pleasing.

 

Sustainability in a broad sense, is the capacity of maintaining a certain process or state.  An example of a sustainable plant would be an appropriate material that is allowed to grow to maturity with minimum maintenance. 

Efficiency is much the same-  an efficient planting will allow for minimal maintenance, water and fertilizer. Efficient landscapes allow for reallocation of resources. 

Aesthetics -There is no perfect palette for every situation. So here is a list of question to ask when considering removing material:

1. In what way will the property be effected by removing this material? Will this removal add or subtract value?

2. What grade would you give the quality of the material? A, B or C ?

3. What life cycle stage is this material in. Improving or Declining. If declining, what is your plan for replacement. Give a grade for the declining material and create a list of plants that fall in to "A" material. 

Establishment-

Now you have made great decisions on removals and replacements. What's next? Make sure the contractor is attending to the new material. New plantings require TLC up front.