Know much about trees and landscaping?

I'm always amazed at the breadth of knowledge on this site so I thought I would ask a landscaping question here.

I'm getting ready to do some landscaping in the backyard this winter, starting with the watering system so that as soon as it stops freezing/frosting here in Vallejo I can plant. I will plant two trees on my back hill, and being the impatient type, I want trees that will grow outrageously fast. The trees I am leaning toward are called Pawlonia Dragon Trees. Does anybody know much about these trees?

There is a company that sells these trees that is located in Mendocino County, and the reviews and pictures on their website indicate that these trees grow super fast, provide good shade, and have nice purple flowers. http://www.dragontrees.com A few web sites also state that these trees are invasive, but the Pawlonia Tree Company says that their trees are sterilized. They also mentioned that their trees were part of the "Green Gift basket" that was given at the Oscars this year.

Any thoughts? Other trees I should look at?

FJ, I know next to nothing about landscaping, and I understand your wanting the trees to mature quickly, however I'd have to think that a faster growing tree might mean more maintenance down the road.  Of course I can't verify this but it's what came to mind after reading your post.

Whatever you decide, good luck.  Look forward to the report.

Michael

FJ, I know next to nothing about landscaping, and I understand your wanting the trees to mature quickly, however I'd have to think that a faster growing tree might mean more maintenance down the road. 

I think you're right, but I'll have to admit a selfish motive here  : I don't plan on living in this house for more than 2 or 3 more years. When I was talking with my wife about the trees I think my exact words to her were "I want a tree that grows so fast that it will be out of control in 5-10 years."  This is basically what the previous owner did to me because now I have a maple tree in the front yard that I need to cut down because the fool planted it directly under my power line and phone line to the house.

I know that's kind of crappy on my part because I'm just passing the hassle on to the next owner, but one of the things I read about the Pawlonia tree is that it grows fast to about 30-40 feet and stops. Again, I don't know much about these trees, but there are several pictures on their site that look pretty good, even after 10 years. Of course if I were selling trees, those are the photos I would post too. 

More than anything, I'm hoping to improve the resale value of my home and maybe save some $$$ on utilities because the places where I want to plant the trees would shade my house during summer afternoons.

I believe "insane duane" does it for a living....

I don't know jack about dragon trees, but I used to work at a Nursery when I was in High School, okay that was some years ago.  If the tree has a nylon burlap type root ball, cut it off, or at the very minimum cut several large slits in it to allow the roots to get out.  Water it a lot the day you plant it and for the next couple of weeks to tget the roots to settle in.  Thats kind of root ball 101

If there will be plenty of water and you don't mind invasive roots then plant willows. Willow trees can grow at incredible rates. I have several behind my house and one is almost 20 feet tall after 2 years. They need lots of water but they grow like crazy. I worked in a tree nursery when I was younger so I could answer some of your questions. I don't know anything about Dragon trees.

I planted my garden exclusively with California native plants and they have several advantages.  One is they require NO water after the first year, most of them.  Secondly they are going to enhance the environment rather than hurt it, which as fishermen tied to the environment, we should try to stand for as much as we can.  They attract and feed the critters around here because they are FROM around here.  A plant from somewhere else has simply not evolved with the local fauna.  Also, something you know is invasive ahead of time, probably isn't a good idea, especially when there are so many excellent, beautiful fast-growing natives out there.  Google up Mostly Natives nursery or North Coast Native Nursery (Tomales and Petaluma) and call them for ideas.  There are a lot of great ceanothus shrubs that grow pretty fast, and attract all kinds of cool butterflies, bugs and birds. 

At a very minimum I would ask for proof their plants are sterile.  There are a lot of people selling pampas grass (my sworn enemy) they claim are sterlized, but actually are not. 


Pete

I'll bet those dragons dump lots of flower petals, Jay.  I agree with peteb about using native plants if you can.  I planted alders and redwoods on my lot and have been thrilled with the results - the alders grow very fast.  I planted a couple Italian alders in the front yard and they're even nicer than the standard alders.

Good luck.   

I planted my garden exclusively with California native plants and they have several advantages.  One is they require NO water after the first year, most of them.  Secondly they are going to enhance the environment rather than hurt it, which as fishermen tied to the environment, we should try to stand for as much as we can.  They attract and feed the critters around here because they are FROM around here.  A plant from somewhere else has simply not evolved with the local fauna.  Also, something you know is invasive ahead of time, probably isn't a good idea, especially when there are so many excellent, beautiful fast-growing natives out there.  Google up Mostly Natives nursery or North Coast Native Nursery (Tomales and Petaluma) and call them for ideas.  There are a lot of great ceanothus shrubs that grow pretty fast, and attract all kinds of cool butterflies, bugs and birds. 

At a very minimum I would ask for proof their plants are sterile.  There are a lot of people selling pampas grass (my sworn enemy) they claim are sterlized, but actually are not. 


Pete

Thanks! This is what I was hoping for. I'll check those nurseries out!