We live in the "Sandhills" of North Carolina, where there is ample but not excessive rain. It gets hot in the summer, with some days at 100 degrees, but in the winter while it does get below 32, it only very rarely goes much below. We do get one or two days at zero, but almost never below. We have been given a sunny spot. Pine trees of various kinds are extremely plentiful around here, so we were hoping to think of something distinctive -- but we're at a loss for what.
I'd appreciate any good and useful input. Thank you.
Crepe Myrtle. They bloom all summer and make good shade.
They don’t grow overly large either. They bloom in a number of colors. My favorite is a deep, rich, purple, but, they also come in red, pink and white.
Or Dogwood.
Does Magnolia grow there?
Hickory.
Native to your area is a variety called Sand Hickory.
I vote for a majestic pine.
An ornamental pear tree.
NOT RECOMMENDED IN NORTH CAROLINA:Finally, here is a quick list of some very nice nursery stock to be found in Central North Carolina:
*** Sequoiadendron [Mountain Redwood] - always dies within the first season
*** Canadian Hemlock - too hot in the Sandhills, also woolly aphid [adelgid] infestation
*** Atlas Cedar - struggles and looks horrible throughout Central North Carolina
*** Purple European Beech - vulnerable to disease
*** Italian Cypress - must be planted next to a warm building to survive the winter; also needs staking/supports to maintain its vertical form
RECOMMENDED IN NORTH CAROLINA, via seed or transplanted from the wild:
*** North American Beech - nurserymen don't grow this because the tap root goes too deep
*** North American Holly - easy to transplant from the wild
*** Slippery Elm - possibly the single most beautiful tree in all of North Carolina
RECOMMENDED IN NORTH CAROLINA, via nursery stock:
*** Boxwood [English or American] - very very very slow growing, but thrives in North Carolina
*** Sequoia sempervirens [Coastal Redwood] - if you can keep it away from JUGLONE
*** Deodar Cedar - always seems to thrive & is very long-lived
*** Princeton Elm - resistant to Dutch Elm Disease, new growth might need spraying for beetles
*** Chinese Douglas Fir - has yew-like needles, very long-lived, resistant to the diseases which kill the Pacific Northwest Douglas Fir
Camellia Forest; Chapel Hill, NC
[on-site stock is much larger than shipping stock on the website]
Coastal redwoods, Deodar cedars, Chinese Douglas Fir
Kiefer Nursery; Durham, NC
Coastal redwoods
Taylor Nursery; Raleigh, NC
Princeton Elm
There are now four very productive apple tree breeds that prosper and produce fruit in the heat of central Arizona. They were developed in Israel and do not require a freeze to fruit.
In a single season, one such tree produced enough fruit to make over 20 gallons of applesauce.
While they do not live as long as shade trees, they make up for it with the gifts they provide.
Mimosa. Beautiful tree easy to grow. Subtle perfumy smell kind of like Honeysuckel. Can start from a branch cut.
Looking for a recommendation for trees in sandy South Carolina.
http://www.monumentaltrees.com/en/records/usa/northcarolina/
“Thickest, tallest, and oldest trees in NC”
Redwood and sequoia are both listed as growing and getting big in the state.
http://www.post-gazette.com/life/travel/2007/07/20/Mighty-trees-stand-tall-in-North-Carolina-forest/stories/200707200305
Tulip poplars are listed as 450 years old, 150 feet tall, and 10 feet in diameter in the state (not my favorite tree, but that’s impressive). Other prominent native trees include: basswood, American beech, Eastern white pine, oak, sweet birch, maple, yellow buckeye, magnolia, sourwood and white ash. I particularly like any native oak for the symbolic and real strength, although another tree on the list might come to mind as a better match to the man being remembered (such as white ash if baseball was a big part of his life).
Olive tree.
I see several have suggested the redwood tree. There are numerous redwoods in NC, with several on the Biltmore Estate being among the largest trees in the state. There is a notable stand of redwoods in Wilson.
It’s not a typical tree for NC, though. If planted as a memorial, I’d think a redwood would work for someone originally from California.
There are quite a few species of magnolia that would do well there, some being unusual. That might work. Climate sounds amenable to live oak, which grows into a stunning tree but it takes centuries to get there.
Check with your local County Extension office to see what’s suitable in that environment.
They’ll give you the best choices and rule out any that probably won’t survive.
We have a Ginkgo tree, and we love it. BUT YOU HAVE TO GET A MALE TREE, THE FEMALES SMELL BAD! And it is a great conversation tree. Tough as nails, hardy, and you can stand near it and tell people it is one of the most ancient trees, relatively unchanged since trees first grew. You can also have lots of discussions about men and women, and the fact that the male of the species is clean, durable, and the female makes your life miserable! (only kidding!)
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Gingko Tree
Hailed as “undoubtedly one of the most distinct and beautiful of all deciduous trees,” the ginkgo certainly stands out. Unique, fan-shaped leaves turn a stunning yellow color in the fall. It can tolerate many urban conditions including heat, air pollution, salt and confined spaces. And it establishes easily.
This tree also comes with a bit of history. It is a living fossil, with the earliest leaf fossils date from 270 million years ago.
Hardiness Zones
The ginkgo can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 3–8. View Map
Tree Type
This tree is considered both a shade tree and an ornamental tree. It features a spreading canopy capable of blocking sunlight and adds visual interest and beauty to landscaping.
Mature Size
The ginkgo grows to a height of 25–50’ and a spread of 25–35’ at maturity.
Growth Speed Medium Growth Rate
This tree grows at a medium rate, with height increases of 13–24” per year.
Sun Preference
Full sun and partial shade are best for this tree, meaning it prefers a minimum of 4 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.
Soil Preference
The ginkgo grows in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam, well-drained, wet and clay soils. It tolerates moderate drought and wetness but doesn’t grow well in hot, dry climates.
Attributes
This tree:
Features simple, fan-shaped bright green leaves that are 2–3” long and just as wide.
Provides attractive yellow fall color.
Works well as a street tree, even in confined spaces.
Transplants easily and establishes without difficulty.
Yields naked seeds that are tan in color and plum-like in shape. Some complain of the mess and odor associated with the fruit of the female tree and recommend planting only male specimens.
Can live as long as 3,000 years.
Grows in a pyramidal shape.
Tolerates heat, air pollution and soil salt.
May grow slowly for several years after planting.
A liberty tree!
How about a Weeping Willow? They grow fast and are beautiful. You need a large area though.
I’ve always liked Canadian Hemlocks myself....
American Holly. The deer won’t eat it, it gets tall, it stays green all year, and has loads of berries that birds feast on in the Winter. (Do NOT get a hybrid Japanese Holly).