[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick]

Nancy, in my own experience, there is no such thing as a truly non-shedding tree. Trees must shed just as our skin and scalps shed but daily bathing disguises the action.

If irrigation and feeding are adequate, what you find on the ground is natural, necessary shedding that you will have to live with, But, that is why God made rakes and blowers. 

How much most trees shed at any given moment depends to some degree on the weather, your irrigation cycles, the soil and probably its nutrient. My point is, there are usually several contributing factors that influence how much a particular tree will shed at any given time.

The ideal solution, in my opinion, is to have a composting operation comparable to the volume. An inexpensive vacuum/shredder is an ideal tool. Finished compost is an effective way to feed the tree's waste back into the system by route of soil organisms and the feeder roots to keep the soil healthy.

My favorite trees are citrus, They are evergreen and  can be pruned to suit your needs without much compromising the tree and you can live off the fresh fruit when times are bad. Their shed foliage makes good compost.

Drive up and down streets and when you see a tree you like, knock on the door and ask for a cutting, or a name, for your nurseryman to ID. With the price of fuel, I don't suggest a lot of cruising. Just be observant where ever you travel by necessity. 

Another good technique is to browse your neighborhood retail nurseries  for ideas.

Nurseries cannot afford to stock species that won't flourish here. If it is on their selves, you can rest assured that reasonable culture will keep it alive and healthy in your yard. 

Gov't agencies usually hire  professionals for landscaping and the species and varieties you find there, you can be reasonably sure, are adaptable to a desert climate. Cruise the grounds for ideas but don't take cuttings without permission. 

If these suggestions raise more questions than you've ask, don't hesitate to respond. 

This forum is read by several hundred practicing Master Gardeners many of whom are expert home growers and plant propagators certified to promote home horticulture in their communities. They all have an ethical obligation to exorcise personal skills and knowledge to inquiries like this.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Arizona Maricopa County
Cooperative Extension.




   


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <kdicken1 at cox.net>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 1:01 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


> nancy dicken
> 85294
> kdicken1 at cox.net
> 
> I have two large weeping Acacias in my back yeard and want to replace them with trees that do not make a constant mess.  They do not have to be as large..just non-shedding
> Thank You
> 
> 
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> Arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
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