Question
Cedar Tree Placement
Jim,
Thank you so much for taking the time to be on this panel of experts! My issue is not dire, but we sure would like to know. We live in Austin, Texas and as is so common here, we have 2 hideously ugly cedar trees in the back yard. They are approx. 10 feet apart and are very tall, casting a great shadow in the back yard of our house. We want to get rid of these trees [bushes, distortions of nature] but don't want to lose the great shade provided by them. We are considering buying a well grown oak tree [about 4" in diameter] and placing it in the proximity of the cedars, letting it grow for a few years then removing the cedars allowing the oak all the freedom it needs to grow. Since I have witnessed how abusive cedars can be to ordinary trees, stealing water and taking over the sunlight, do you think it's possible to plant this new tree relatively close to the cedars without fear of the oak being ruined [killed!]. We just didn't want to take out the cedars yet, because of the shade. So what is the best way to replace a cruddy tree with a great one?
Deb Taylor
PS: I attached a file of the layout of the yard.
AnswerThis is question that really would be too long an answer for the computer. I would suggest that you contact the Texas Forest Service and ask one of their Urban Foresters to come out and advise you what to do, This is a free service and you have a Forester based in Austin.
Central Texas (8)
Austin - Eric Copeland
(512) 339-4618
[email protected]
He should be able to assist in your situation after he does an on the ground look.
If you can not get him then try the head of the Urban Forest program stationed in College Station.
Giedraitis, John
MGR Urban Forestry
Phone-: (979) 458-6650
[email protected]
