How big of a tree can you have planted in your yard? (Raleigh: sales, house)

[mcfamilyof4]

we have hardly any trees on our lot and we would like to have a pine tree or two brought in and planted. Does anyone know how big of one you could have planted? We need some SHADE!!!!!

[rfb]

I don't know the exact size, but you can get a pretty big tree brought in (think 10s of feet). It will cost an exorbitant amount of money, though. You might want to get a smaller tree, say 8 ft, and let it grow.

I've got to wonder, though - why a pine tree? I've always considered them to be quite a nuisance - they drop pollen and sap, and are more prone to break during ice storms due to the needles still being on the trees. Seems like a nice hardwood tree would look better, especially if you get one which flowers in the spring and changes color in the fall.

[leighbhe]

I would say the same about a pine tree........I really do not like them for all of the same reason the previous poster stated, they definitely are the first to fall in an ice storm!

I would plant something else, consult with a good nursery, and figure out which tree would work best for you, then search around for that tree.

Leigh

[Claire_F]

Pear trees are lovely. They have beautiful white flowers in the spring, and pretty colors in the fall. Crepe Myrtles have beautiful blooms in the heat of summer.

Here's a thread about fast growing shade trees from another forum.

[mcfamilyof4]

what about dogwood, can you buy those already tall? I dont want to wait 2 years for shade.

[ChipL]

dogwoods don't provide very much shade.
if you want pine, I'd go with a fluffy spruce, they grow pretty quickly.
Crepe myrtles also grow quickly but, don't pridive A LOT of shade, more decorative I'd say.
Pear trees grow wonderfully around here, and do provide shade.
You'd have to check at the local nusery though if you can get a big one, I've only seen them sold as small. If you can get one large enough fo your needs I'd go with that. but if not the spruces will probably provide the most amount of shade the quickest, thougo you'd have to be strategic with planting them, you can't sit under them only next to them.
hope that helps a bit.

[Claire_F]

I may be wrong, but I've always understood dogwoods to mainly be understory trees - that they prefer growing in the shade of other trees. I've seen some larger ones that are in the open (there's an older house on New Bern Avenue with an absolutely HUGE dogwood, big enough for shade), but it's much more common to see them under larger trees. They're pretty slow growers, so to get one really large would take some time.

I would ask a local nursery about the possibility of planting a larger one for shade.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

I would try contacting a place called Tree Service Raleigh: Tree Installation, Removal and Sales NC -JusTrees ~ They are located in Garner I beleive. There may be something closer to you in Wake Forest, but I am not sure.

They may be able to help you find the right tree for your needs. I beleive they have a minimum order requirement of $500 but if you are talking about getting larger trees, I imagine you will trip that threshold fairly quickly. Besides, if you want a larger tree installed you usually need pros with the right equipment like a tree spade.

This is a very large tree and tree spade, I imagine there is smaller equipemnt as well, but you get the idea!

[Claire_F]

Holy cow! I have the feeling you'll be needing a new lawn after that tree spade visits your yard.

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by Claire_F

Holy cow! I have the feeling you'll be needing a new lawn after that tree spade visits your yard.

Just to be clear, that picture above is an extreme example. I beleive there are much smaller tree spades. Maybe something along the line of a bobcat. They aren't all huge monsters like the one above. Here is a picture of a much smaller one: