[Arid_gardener] Hi...

[Dick Gross]

The best species for home landscape. in my humble opinion, is citrus of almost any variety that suits your taste and, in thirty five years in this valley, I have never seen the species raise a foundation or any other structure. The thirty year old adult trees in my ordinary city lot have never caused a seconds concern about root infringement although I hastily prune any branch threatening to slap my neighbor alongside the head . . . or not; depending on how friendly his wife has been lately. 

With citrus, you can have fruit ripe to eat any time of the year with very little care if you are a reluctant gardener.

There are many, many other species that will fit your personal specifications. I suggest that you visit your nearest retail nursery professional (we are fortunate to have several good ones in the Salt River Valley) and seek help from them. They are, in my opinion, in the best position to answer your technical questions although this email may flush other pundits from the woodwork.

With a little intelligent pruning, you can fit virtually any citrus into almost any cubbyhole with a little sunlight but don't try to fit a pommelo or grapefruit into a space that would cramp the style and growth habit of a dwarf kumquat.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "olindmiller" <olindmiller at att.net>
To: <NatureOutdr at aol.com>; <Arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 8:46 AM
Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Hi...


> From:  http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Moraceae/Ficus_retusa.html
> 
> Indian Laurel Fig, Ficus nitida, Growth Habits: Evergreen tree 30 to 60 feet 
> tall (9-18 m), 30 feet spread (9 m); invasive roots.
> 
> Tree roots normally extend out past the edge of the tree's canopy and 
> beyond.  It may not be possible to find a tree that will branch out and 
> provide shade over the sidewalk and not have roots tahat will grow out under 
> the sidewalk.  You might want to consider forgoing the shade a plant a small 
> tree or large shrub instead.  There are many choices, deciduous, evergreen, 
> flowering, etc.  you may have a problem.  AMWUA's book, "Landscape Plants 
> for the Arizona Desert"  has excellent descriptions, with photos.   It is 
> available at the Master Gardener Offices listed at
> http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/general/question.htm
> and also from the water conservation departments of most of the cities in 
> the valley.
> 
> Olin
> ===========================================
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- From: <NatureOutdr at aol.com>
> Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 5:59 PM
>>I am wanting to plant a ficus nitidia and have questions regarding how 
>>close
>> I can plant it to the house.  Are the roots invasive?  I have a  very 
>> small
>> area between the sidewalk and the house and want to plant a tree  there 
>> that
>> would give some folage, shade and interest.  Would the ficus  work...or do 
>> you
>> have another suggestion? 
> 
> 
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