More Trees for Wet Soils
Certain trees are quite adapted to wet soils. These include the following species.
Red Maple
Red maple is also called swamp maple. Hardy to zone 3, it is found in the East in wet, low lying areas. This is often used as a street tree and shade tree.
The deciduous tree is generally 60 feet in height with a spread of 40 feet under good growing conditions. Red maple is a fast growing tree.
The buds, branchlets, petioles, and twigs are all red. The red blossoms are much more showier than those of most other maple, particularly in warm climates.
These appear in early spring. The flower clusters are 2 inches wide.
The glossy leaves are a bright red in the fall. The winged seed pods are also red.
This tree does well in the Pacific Northwest. The plant will need watering dry dry periods for it requires a moist soil.
The tree is suited to low wet places. Red maple is a weak wooded tree that can split in severe storms, necessitating pruning in some cases.
There are many outstanding cultivars, including Red Sunset, which is named for the beautiful fall color. The plant is suited to dry, wet, and even poorly drained soils.
Red maple adapts to most soils. A number of varieties are available. These include Columnare, which is only 20 feet wide.
River Birch
River birch is also called red birch. It is native in the East westward to Kansas. Hardy to zone 4, the species is used as a shade tree and specimen plant.
This can reach 50 to 90 feet in height with a spread of 40 feet or more. Generally, this is considered a very adaptable plant and one of the best birches.
The young tree has a fast growth rate. It is tolerant of poorly drained soils as well as humidity and heat. It will even grow in sites with standing water in the spring.
The plant typically forks near the base. River birch can be trained to a single trunk. As the tree ages, the bark turns black to cinnamon. This tends to curl and peel.
The foliage is silver beneath and this turns yellow in the fall. The leaves can dry out and fall during prolonged dry spells. To prevent that from happening, keep it watered. River birch is a short lived tree. For the most part, river birch is considered to be the bet birch for the Midwest and South. If the soil has a high pH or is near neutral, the tree can experience iron chlorosis.
River birch is rarely attacked by bronze birch borer. In the Northeast, the leaf miner can become a problem.
Red Maple
Red maple is also called swamp maple. Hardy to zone 3, it is found in the East in wet, low lying areas. This is often used as a street tree and shade tree.
The deciduous tree is generally 60 feet in height with a spread of 40 feet under good growing conditions. Red maple is a fast growing tree.
The buds, branchlets, petioles, and twigs are all red. The red blossoms are much more showier than those of most other maple, particularly in warm climates.
These appear in early spring. The flower clusters are 2 inches wide.
The glossy leaves are a bright red in the fall. The winged seed pods are also red.
This tree does well in the Pacific Northwest. The plant will need watering dry dry periods for it requires a moist soil.
The tree is suited to low wet places. Red maple is a weak wooded tree that can split in severe storms, necessitating pruning in some cases.
There are many outstanding cultivars, including Red Sunset, which is named for the beautiful fall color. The plant is suited to dry, wet, and even poorly drained soils.
Red maple adapts to most soils. A number of varieties are available. These include Columnare, which is only 20 feet wide.
River Birch
River birch is also called red birch. It is native in the East westward to Kansas. Hardy to zone 4, the species is used as a shade tree and specimen plant.
This can reach 50 to 90 feet in height with a spread of 40 feet or more. Generally, this is considered a very adaptable plant and one of the best birches.
The young tree has a fast growth rate. It is tolerant of poorly drained soils as well as humidity and heat. It will even grow in sites with standing water in the spring.
The plant typically forks near the base. River birch can be trained to a single trunk. As the tree ages, the bark turns black to cinnamon. This tends to curl and peel.
The foliage is silver beneath and this turns yellow in the fall. The leaves can dry out and fall during prolonged dry spells. To prevent that from happening, keep it watered. River birch is a short lived tree. For the most part, river birch is considered to be the bet birch for the Midwest and South. If the soil has a high pH or is near neutral, the tree can experience iron chlorosis.
River birch is rarely attacked by bronze birch borer. In the Northeast, the leaf miner can become a problem.
Related Articles
Editor's Picks Articles
Top Ten Articles
Previous Features
Site Map
Content copyright © 2023 by Connie Krochmal. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Connie Krochmal. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Connie Krochmal for details.
