Where to Buy Yoshino Trees? (Austin: for sale, new house, to live in)

[ksoviero]

Exactly what it says in the tin.

Where can I buy Yoshino trees in Austin or online. Most retailers, like Arbor Day Foundation, have horrible reviews, so I was hoping for references from a trusted source: here!

[scm53]

You are going to have a hard time with an acid loving tree like that in Austin. Our limestone soils, and alkaline water are a double whammy that all the acidifiers on earth probably can't overcome.

There are plenty of flowering trees that do well here. Persimmons, Mexican Plums, Redbuds, Anacacho Orchid - all better choices for the environment here.

[thesonofgray]

I bought one at Home Depot earlier in the year. It's doing okay, I suppose. We'll see if it flowers next year and develops a fuller canopy. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't, but it was only $20. *shrug*

[passionatearts]

You could also consider a Crape Myrtle. They do very well in this climate and have beautiful flowers in the summer.

[ksoviero]

Originally Posted by scm53

You are going to have a hard time with an acid loving tree like that in Austin. Our limestone soils, and alkaline water are a double whammy that all the acidifiers on earth probably can't overcome.

There are plenty of flowering trees that do well here. Persimmons, Mexican Plums, Redbuds, Anacacho Orchid - all better choices for the environment here.

What about Kwanzan cherry trees? They're not as pretty (by my tastes), but they're supposed to be hardier.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by ksoviero

What about Kwanzan cherry trees? They're not as pretty (by my tastes), but they're supposed to be hardier.

You seem pretty hellbent on a cherry tree.

A story: when we moved to our new house, I was determined to grow two things I loved - azaleas and hydrangeas. I knew the problems - low acidity for the azaleas, heat for the hydrangeas. Had shady spots picked out under our oaks. Amended the soil for the azaleas and put in extra drips for the hydrangeas. The hydrangeas didn't last the first year. Now have one big one in a pot in a NE corner - no sun ever. It's OK. Gave up on the azaleas this year. They just never flourished, despite plenty of TLC.

The point of this long story is to say there are some things that just won't do well here - and cherry trees are among them. Yes - Kwanzans are more hardy, more tolerant of alkalinity. But go into it knowing it will takes loads of work, and TLC, to get middling results. There are plenty of beautiful flowering trees that are natives here to make it - for me, maybe not for you - not worth trying to grow cherry trees in a spot where they aren't well adapted.

[ksoviero]

Originally Posted by scm53

You seem pretty hellbent on a cherry tree.

A story: when we moved to our new house, I was determined to grow two things I loved - azaleas and hydrangeas. I knew the problems - low acidity for the azaleas, heat for the hydrangeas. Had shady spots picked out under our oaks. Amended the soil for the azaleas and put in extra drips for the hydrangeas. The hydrangeas didn't last the first year. Now have one big one in a pot in a NE corner - no sun ever. It's OK. Gave up on the azaleas this year. They just never flourished, despite plenty of TLC.

The point of this long story is to say there are some things that just won't do well here - and cherry trees are among them. Yes - Kwanzans are more hardy, more tolerant of alkalinity. But go into it knowing it will takes loads of work, and TLC, to get middling results. There are plenty of beautiful flowering trees that are natives here to make it - for me, maybe not for you - not worth trying to grow cherry trees in a spot where they aren't well adapted.

Not as Hell bent as you might think. I've already decided I'm going to plant Crape Myrtles and maybe Dogwoods based on the recommendation of others in this thread.

But, yes, I really do love cherry trees, especially the Yoshinos. Alas, 'tis not to be, it seems.

[ksoviero]

On a related note, but do the White Dogwoods handle Austin?

White Dogwood Tree | White Flowering Dogwood Trees for Sale | Fast Growing Trees

[ksoviero]

Originally Posted by ksoviero

On a related note, but do the White Dogwoods handle Austin?

White Dogwood Tree | White Flowering Dogwood Trees for Sale | Fast Growing Trees

I don't know if "bumping" is appropriate on this site, but I would really like to know if that dogwood would do well in Austin. It's almost as beautiful as the Yoshino tree.

[TexasHorseLady]

I used to live in East Texas, the land of the dogwoods, where they were everywhere. I don't think I've ever seen one here. They love highly acid soil (which East Texas has).

How about the Mexican plum? Grows just fine here in Austin (all along Lady Bird Lake, in fact).