Need a plant that can survive plant hell

[predators2001]

I have a huge flat paved area with four 6 foot square spots for single trees. The base is crappy impermeable crush and run and clay. The first trees to die were flowering cherry (Kwanzaan). They died from too much heat and a summer long drought.

Next we dug up some of the clay and crush and added topsoil and compost. Planted crab apples. They survived one year and started out this year before we had a replay of Noahs ark days with a solid month of rain and standing water.

Presently have tables placed on the grated tree space and it looks better.

Any suggestions besides plastics or a cool 6 ft square paver pattern?

[Az Gardener]

Check out a Ginko I grew up in Ind. and there was one in the middle of our asphalt playground. Might also consider a Jap Maple they can hang here until about 100-105. I know in Sacramento Ca they did OK and it got pretty hot there too. What about Oaks? we have those here in a dodge dealership parking lot with the exact same conditions. Here we use southern live oaks Querkus virginiana's don't give me any grief on the botanical spelling.

[Rtom45]

Why not build a small wall around the planting area, add some topsoil, and put your trees in a raised bed.

[predators2001]

(Why not build a small wall around the planting area, add some topsoil, and put your trees in a raised bed.)

The site has a heavy cast iron grate around the hole now to keep people from tripping. But that is a good idea if all else fails.

[Dstosh]

honey locust?

[ron mexico75]

If you are looking for a good parking lot tree, by that I mean the tree is being planted in a small open area surrounded by paving, pavers etc. and the soil is poor, plant one of these;

Pistacia chinesis Chinese Pistache

Zelkova serrata 'Musashino' Musashino Zelkova -this one is very upright growing and only spreads about 20 feet.

The Ginko (as stated above) would be a good choice. The only bad thing is if you enjoy fall color for a couple of weeks is that the Ginko drops all of it's leaves in about 1 to 2 days.

[NatesLawnCareLLC]

Why not build a small wall around the planting area, add some topsoil, and put your trees in a raised bed.

The raised bed is a good idea but the only thing I can think will be a problem are...

1. Building walls are expensive and take time
2. Planting a tree in a raised bed would probably cause the tree to have shallow roots or push and break the walls.



My recommendation is make a raised flower bed with Hosta if your looking for something low maintenance or Some Perennials like Lilac or something similar.

[SuperBGuy]

Acer Bergerianum- Trident maple
Acer platanoides- Norway
Acer rubrum- red maple
Liquidambar styraciflua- Sweetgum
Gleditsia triacanthos- Honey locust
Sorbus accuparia- European Mtn Ash
Phellodendron amurense- Amur corktree

Platanus acerifolia- London plane tree
Tillia cordata- littleleaf linden
Cratageus- Hawthorn

Hope u find this helpful

Jeff

[SunsationalLandServices]

Just my two pennies, but I would suggest most any oak. We have them in similar situations here in Central Florida in many parking lots. The nice part is that due to the fact that they are in a confined area w/bad soil, they will grow slowly and should remain small for quite some time.

[turf hokie]

Good suggestions all, except I would disagree with the Ginkgo unless you can gurantee it will not fruit. They are great street trees but the fruits smell and are messy.

My opinion is the honey locust is probably the best suited in this situation.

You might try a sycamore, we have them lining the streets in my town and they are about 25 years old and doing great. They will shed leaves during the summer to compensate for some drought stress but otherwise they are a good choice. they are planted in areas that are about 3 feet wide and 10 feet long and surrounded by road, sidewalk and parking lot.

[mdlwn1]

The raised bed is a good idea but the only thing I can think will be a problem are...

1. Building walls are expensive and take time
2. Planting a tree in a raised bed would probably cause the tree to have shallow roots or push and break the walls.



My recommendation is make a raised flower bed with Hosta if your looking for something low maintenance or Some Perennials like Lilac or something similar.

yeah..hostas look great in full sun blistering heat......

[mdlwn1]

Hot, sunny, pavement..equals mites. The Ginkos do tend to grow where others wont. The linden would be a tough one. I have seen Zelkovas in some really tough places...but yours sounds a little worse. I fyou can water once in a while and babysit them for a few years (lol) several trees may work...sorta...

[integrityman]

Absolutely go for a purple robe locust. Locust trees thrive where no others will. Locust trees are routinely planted in old or abandoned strip mine locations.

[Swampy]

European linden will handle the raised beds just fine, just don't expose it to the full summer sun all day or they'll be crisper than kentucky fried chicken.

Gingko, a fruitless varity, would be the awesome choice, these plants take a pounding.

Next two are a low growing tree like/large shrub.
Amur Maple maybe a interesting choice. They seem to do fine here as they are planted around the area gas stations.

Pagoda Dogwood maybe another.

I'd advise you though if this is a public place not to plant anything with thorns I.E. Hawthorne's, barberry. Just remember kids climb trees and I could see little Jimmy running back to mom with a hawthorne spike sticking out his eye.

For shrubish material around the base of trees, the way described, go with pernnials (SP?) such as Day lilly, Hosta, Iris. Snow removal guys will thank you and avoid the evergreens.

[GreeneScape Inc.]

We found for an area like this an Autumn Red Chokecherry or Canada Red Chokecherry / Prunus virginiana 'Canada Red' works well.
Both of these trees provide new green foliage that turns dark maroon as the leaves get older, similar to Prunus x cistena in color by June or July. Both trees get 25x18'
Also with the Hawthorn trees the Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn or Crataegus crus-galli 'Inermis' would solve the thorn problem.
Hope this helps
Cheers