Any homeowners have opinions on Crimson King maple trees? (Denver: houses, live in)

[DougStark]

I don't live in Denver, but when I'm there in the summer I notice trees- it's my thing.

One tree I notice that doesn't do that well in metro Denver in general is Crimson King Maples (purple leaf form.) If you take a trip to Michigan or Wisconsin, you'll see them in their prime. Beautiful purple trees.

However, last summer I was traveling on a west-ward highway west of Longmont on my way to Estes, and I noticed a beautiful! specimin Crimson King in the home's yard (actually it was a farm.) I think the tree was partially shaded on its east by another tree species (this may have helped.)

Seeing this healthy tree was really amazing to me, considering how out of range the tree is from it's normal growing habitat in moister climes. Perhaps the farmer flood irrigates his yard, I don't know, but I bet he's proud of his unusual tree.

PS- My observations are the same about the green varieties of Norway maple I've seen in Denver. They don't look happy However, happily, many oak species I've seen around metro Denver appear to be doing very well.

[SkyDog77]

I notice trees as well, but I'm not familiar with that particular maple.

The city of Denver publishes this list of recommended shade trees that do well in our climate. As a tree guy, you might find this interesting. I know I did when I found it.

The King Crimson is not listed.

https://www.denvergov.org/content/da...tree_guide.pdf

I have planted Bur Oaks on the right of way at three of my houses in Denver. They do really well and are one of my favorite trees despite their very slow growth.

[DougStark]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

I notice trees as well, but I'm not familiar with that particular maple.

The city of Denver publishes this list of recommended shade trees that do well in our climate. As a tree guy, you might find this interesting. I know I did when I found it.

The King Crimson is not listed.

https://www.denvergov.org/content/da...tree_guide.pdf

I have planted Bur Oaks on the right of way at three of my houses in Denver. They do really well and are one of my favorite trees despite their very slow growth.

Thanks, SkyDog77. I planted 3 sapling bur oaks on my brother's Aurora ranch about 4 years ago. They do OK, but they aren't thriving like they should. Brother doesn't water them except when I come to visit from Arizona.

They suffer from zinc deficiency due to the alkaline soil. It makes the leaves small and yellow. Zinc sulfate or zinc chelate helps short-term...but needs to be applied annually

[Phil P]

Oaks didn't do well in CO Springs, but that might have been cause it was a bit too high there. It seems like the columnar ones downtown do pretty decent.

Maples are a bit iffy in general due to the large leaves having issues with hail and late snow falls. Norways seem to do the best, the King Crimson are about, but not as common.

In my experience, the best deciduous trees for CO are ash, crab apples, hackberry, and locust. Aspens and cottonwoods do good too, but they die pretty early and sucker, making them a less than ideal yard tree at ties.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by Phil P

Oaks didn't do well in CO Springs, but that might have been cause it was a bit too high there. It seems like the columnar ones downtown do pretty decent.

Maples are a bit iffy in general due to the large leaves having issues with hail and late snow falls. Norways seem to do the best, the King Crimson are about, but not as common.

In my experience, the best deciduous trees for CO are ash, crab apples, hackberry, and locust. Aspens and cottonwoods do good too, but they die pretty early and sucker, making them a less than ideal yard tree at ties.

Cottonwoods have such weak wood and shallow roots. They grow really fast and provide good shade, but they are not great trees.

Denver is not planting any ash on right of ways now because of the Emerald Ash Borer.

I have seen a lot of catulpa trees do well, but the spear like seed pods they drop are a little obnoxious.

Ive put hackberry trees in front of a couple properties. They do very well and provide nice shade. Honey locusts are great as well, but they are starting to get a bit overpopulated.

[DougStark]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

Cottonwoods have such weak wood and shallow roots. They grow really fast and provide good shade, but they are not great trees.

Denver is not planting any ash on right of ways now because of the Emerald Ash Borer.

I have seen a lot of catulpa trees do well, but the spear like seed pods they drop are a little obnoxious.

Ive put hackberry trees in front of a couple properties. They do very well and provide nice shade. Honey locusts are great as well, but they are starting to get a bit overpopulated.

Agree. Hackberries are great shade trees for metro Denver, albeit overused. If I lived in your area, I'd try one of the hybrid American elms immune or tolerant to dutch elm disease. The USDA introduced at least one variety of these elms.

http://www.elmpost.org/

BTW, the City of Denver recommends planting linden trees. They're very pretty trees, but somewhat formal, symmetrical looking IMO.