I have lots of space and I want to plant a pretty tree that will provide nicely for a variety of wildlife. Very alkaline soil. Needs to be drought tolerant. I've done lots of reading and feel a bit overwhelmed.
What do you guys recommend?
Thanks ahead!
Kiley
Want to plant a tree for wildlife!
You might try a Possumhaw, Ilex decidua it is beautiful in the fall and winter and birds love the berries
http://wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ILDE
http://wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=17842
or Mexican Plum Prunus mexicana
http://wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PRME
Both are great for wildlife.
Is this a sunny or shady spot? I assume sunny?
I lived in Midland for 15 years and know it's tough weather. I would look at the Texas A&M recommendations for your county.
http://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/CustomSelector.aspx
A chinquapin oak is recommended for a large tree. It also provides food for birds. They also have recommendations for other large, medium and smaller trees. When I lived there, I had good luck with a huge old pecan tree and yaupon hollies. Good luck.
This message was edited Oct 8, 2013 8:53 PM
Josephine has listed some good ones. I would add a native persimmon to her list.
Thanks ya'll!
Frostweed, we are thinking along the same lines. Mexican Plum was in the top 3 I had narrowed it down to.
Has anyone heard of or grown a Texas Kidneywood (Bee Brush, Vara Dulce) ? Small tree.
Vitex (Lilac Chaste Tree, Sage Tree, Wild Lavander) ? Small
Vitex grows well as a large bush a few places around here.
In all honesty, I'm in a bit of a panic. I will be having serious back surgery sometime before Christmas. I've known for over a year it was coming, just waiting until absolutely necessary. Wandered around the back yard in tears last night. Don't know how I'm gonna make it without being able to play in the dirt. I realize it's not forever, but nature and gardening is my life line. It keeps me sane and centered.
SHOULD I put I tree in the ground now or aim smaller and go for bushes instead? I feel like I want to get the most out of the next month as possible.
Not crazy! Just reaching out to fellow Texans for support and planting guidance. :)
persimmon for color-wild not garden persimmon, but you may be too alkaline. The summer plums are also great, but dont usually get very big. Mulberries, if you are callus abt mowing they are great for birds and forgiving. Possumhaw yes, but you didn't say which wildlife...or birds, for deer small a shrub with fruity flavors will get nibbled on - they like the same types of small twigs goats do.
I see Vitex all over, there are several different kinds as well. I dont know what space you have, but you might enjoy bushes as you can get several varieties to cover several seasons since recovery can take longer than surgery to recover from the operation. Have also seen the kidneywoods and they are gorgeous, while a single tree will take awhile to grow and then blocks everything out.
Picked up a Fire Bush yesterday on my way back to town from the dr. Much better than a lollipop! Guess I scared everyone off with mention of surgery. Must think I'm a nut.
Gonna stick to bushes for now. Having soil tested to get a better handle on things. No deer around here despite having lots of room for an urban yard. I do have a pretty clean slate though. Really looking to attract flying things as opposed to land lubbers.
Thanks for the input.
Kbh, Anything you plant needs extra watering the first year but i dont think that would be different between a bush and a tree. You could get your watering set up to do automatically while you are recovering so you dont have to worry about it.
I have been exploring the idea for a while of the "edible yard," meaning planting things that produce food. I dont know what kind of fruit trees would grow there but you could check with A&M. Believe me, wild life will take its share of whatever you would plant. That chinquepin oak has acorns that are delicious to humans as well as wild life. It's the only acorn I know of that tastes good. Vitek is not used by deer at all. They avoid it.
Good luck with your surgery. Im too chicken to get it done for myself.
If you want a shrub you might try American beautyberry, Coralberry, or even Pokeberry, they are all excellent for birds.
I hope your surgery goes well.