Questions about landscaping (tree suggestion + planting next to pool) (Phoenix: HOA, house)

[HX_Guy]

Hey guys, two separate questions if you guys could help me out.

1. I am looking for a smallish tree to plant in the front yard on the left side of the driveway. It's only 5'6" between our driveway and the neighbor's lot so I need something that won't grow too wide. I was thinking maybe a Little Leaf Ash (grows 18' tall and 15' wide). Any other suggestions?

Current front landscaping...i.e. none.


What I'm imagining...


2. We want to plant Pygmy Date Palms in 6 planters around the new pool. Question is...can they be planted directly in the planter holes made by the pool builder or should we put concrete pots inside the holes? Is it a problem for the pool if there is watering that close to the pool shell? Would the roots be a problem from a Pygmy Palm?

The planter areas made by the pool builder are 24" wide X 12" deep.

[Finger Laker]

I believe you absolutley need a Sissoo Tree

(sorry LBTRS ........ //www.city-data.com/forum/phoen...-whatever.html)

I like the front concept pretty well. I'm not up on all the trees, but just looking at my place versus what I wish I had at my place I would remove the worthless Palo Verde (I believe Palo Brea) from my front yard - overgrown, thorny mess of a tree that provides no shade to my front window. It does overhang the driveway though and get too close to the house, so we need to cut it back frequently and birds enjoy nesting in and pooping on my driveway ........ but I digress

Anyhow, I like the placement and I would want to make sure I had something at the right type, size and angle to provide some shade to the front of the home and that window

I have a couple pygmy date palms in my back yard on a retainer wall and they've done well - however, I have them at the edges where the wall bells out which provides more room on the wall .... never any root issues, but more space than what you are looking at

I think you'd probably be fine without a pot in the planter, but I'd probably do it anyway .... should look great by the pool though

[phx1205]

I'm sure you have done this, but you might want to check with your HOA on approved trees. Some only allow specific types of landscaping in the front yard, and they might provide you with a booklet and pictures of the various types available.

[wit-nit]

How does your neighbor feel about a tree encroaching onto their side of the driveway, now or in the future. Whose going to trim and maintain it. I'd suggest maybe a small palm tree or 2 in that spot. A multi trunk palm tree would look great and be a nice focal point.

As far as planting the Pigmy palms near the pool. Yes you can plant directly into the hole and avoid a constrictive pot. Their roots would not penetrate nor harm the pool itself. The big problem is chlorinated water getting into the trees hole and burning their roots. Some water diversion would help. Also reflective heat in the summer could burn the fronds. Pigmy palms do best with partial shade. Multi trunk Mediterranean palms would look good in those holes and they can take the heat real well. They are slow growing as well as the Pigmy Palms and I'd suggest getting the largest the budget will allow. Again chlorinated water is not good for any plants period.

Google Image Result for http://imgsrv.gardening.ktsa.com/image/ktsag/UserFiles/Image/M_Images/mediterranean-fan-palm.jpg

[HX_Guy]

The neighbor is ok with it...he was actually going to put a tree there but said since I'm doing it, he won't. I don't want it to be big though which is why I was asking for suggestions. The Little Leaf Ash is actually on the HOA's tree list so that's why I was thinking of that one.

Good to hear the roots of the Pygmy wouldn't be a problem. What about the watering...would that affect the pool shell over time?

We had Pygmy palms at our old house in full sun and they did well so I'm not too concerned about that. And the chlorinated water shouldn't be an issue, I don't imagine a lot of splashing, definitely not anything that would penetrate the dirt enough to reach the roots.

[stevek64]

I'm guessing your pool builder will give you some kind of guide/info on how far plants can be placed from the pool for warranty reasons. Our pool from Presidential pools includes a lifetime shell guarantee as long as you follow a few basic rules and one of them was distance of plants from the pool. I recall it was keeping plants/trees planted at least 2 feet from the pool.

Might want to check that out to cover yourself.

As for a small tree, you might want to check out a Mulga Acacia tree:

Acacia aneura

Nice small evergreen tree, silvery small leaves, yellow flowers, low water, they love the heat, etc. We have one of them planted on a west wall with reflected heat and it doesn't blink. This years ours flowered pretty much continuously almost all year and it's still flowering. I've noticed in new developments/commercial buildings they've become very popular.

Good luck on the landscaping....I think I enjoyed designing the landscaping more than getting our pool installed! It will really make your pool come to life.

[wit-nit]

Originally Posted by HX_Guy

The neighbor is ok with it...he was actually going to put a tree there but said since I'm doing it, he won't. I don't want it to be big though which is why I was asking for suggestions. The Little Leaf Ash is actually on the HOA's tree list so that's why I was thinking of that one.

Good to hear the roots of the Pygmy wouldn't be a problem. What about the watering...would that affect the pool shell over time?

We had Pygmy palms at our old house in full sun and they did well so I'm not too concerned about that. And the chlorinated water shouldn't be an issue, I don't imagine a lot of splashing, definitely not anything that would penetrate the dirt enough to reach the roots.

Watering around the pool shell should not be a problem. Chlorinated water from splashin probably will be ok. Could burn the leaves. Just don't backwash in that area. reflected sun up to the bottom of the fronds can burn the sensitive undersides.
Was your previous Pigmy palms in the middle of reflected concrete or gunite. Those will increase the heat area quite a bit.
If it's fine with your neighbor then go with the Little Leaf Ash. Be sure to water the tree deeply so the roots stay down don't come up to the surface and break the concrete.

[R_Cowgirl]

This might help on your pygmy palm question - How to Plant a Pygmy Date Palm | eHow

As far as the front yard - one consideration - (and I know you really didn't ask this, but I REALLY REALLY wish I had been told this when I landscaped my yard) -- If your back yard isn't maintained for a little while and there's a wall around it, you're OK. If your front yard isn't kept up to date in a community with an HOA, you're going to hear about it. So, I'm going to give you some plain ol' cowgirl advice and you can take it or leave it: buy red rock - tons of it - and put it in the front yard. You can build a nice berm, put some cool trees or Ocotillo, or a Mexican Bird of Paradise, or an agave plant for an accent. Desert landscaping is so much easier to maintain over the long haul and will look attractive with very little maintenance.

Just sayin' - I would NOT plant grass in the front yard. The first year it looks great. 2nd year, still not bad. 3rd year you start to wonder why you planted grass. 4th year it starts to get all weedy and harder to manage. 5th year you have to go out and rework it - especially in Phoenix. The dirt just gets compacted, the grass gets splotchy, re-seeding and scalping the lawn every year gets to be a pain no matter how many yard people you employ to assist. Not to mention desert landscaping cuts way down on water bills and the need to have a watering system in the front yard. Xeriscaping - Phoenix Home & Garden and Xeriscaping Phoenix Design Ideas, Pictures, Remodel, and Decor

Have fun! And think down the road, especially if you plan on only living there 5 years or so.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

I think you need to add something. Right now the front yard looks flat. Maybe add a small hedge in front of the sidewalk. Or build up a 3 course brick wall (adding dirt behind it) in the front of the house. Or possibly some tan cement colored curbs (that you shape and add dirt to give it contour). Something to give it some slope or depth versus all one level. Maybe a small berm?

See Curbing done by Creative Edgings of Jacksonville, FL

[patrick85395]

Swan Hill Fruitless Olive is one of the best tree to grow here (www.swanhill.com), IMHO.... Tough, drought tolerant, grown locally, cold hearty, and evergreen with silver-green leaves.