Sunday, May 8, 2011

Tree 16: European Weeping Larch: Larix decidua 'pendula'

Larix decidua  'pendula'
European Larch, Common Larch 
Pinaceae


This tree is located on the grounds of the Biddle family estate at Andalusia, Pennsylvania.
http://www.andalusiapa.org/

'Pendula' - This cultivar is an umbrella for various pendulous forms which are usually grafted on a standard to form a small weeping tree.






 More information is available at the University of Connecticut plant database:
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/l/lardec/lardec1.html



Habitat
  • native to North and Central Europe
  • Zone 2
Habit and Form
  • deciduous conifer
  • 80' to 100' tall by 20' to30' wide
  • pyramidal in habit with horizontal branches and weeping branchlets
  • becomes more irregular with age
  • fine to medium texture, coarse in winter
  • moderate growth rate

Summer Foliage
  • soft, flat needles
  • 1" to 1.25" long
  • bright green in spring, darkening with maturity
  • found in groups on spurs or in a spiral arrangement down long branches

Tree 15: Weeping Bald Cypress: Taxodium distichum 'pendens'

Taxodium distichum
Common Baldcypress  'pendens'
Taxodiaceae

This tree is located on the Biddle family estate at Andalusia, Pennsylvania. http://www.andalusiapa.org/ 

'Pendens' - Occasionally offered by specialty nurseries, this old form differs mainly in its drooping branch tips. The overall form is pyramidal, with horizontal primary limbs.



 More information is at the University of Connecticut plant database:
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/t/taxdis/taxdis1.html
Habitat
  • native to southeastern United States primarily
  • cold hardy in zone 5, perhaps warmer zone 4
  • generally found in wet swampy areas, often in standing water

Habit and Form
  • a deciduous conifer
  • grows 50' to 70' tall
  • pyramidal to conical, especially when young
  • some older trees develop spreading, irregular, or almost flat-topped forms
  • develops a buttressed trunk base
  • root "knees" can form on older trees in wet sites
  • branching more or less horizontal
  • texture is medium-fine and airy






 

Tree 14: Sugar maple: Acer saccharum

Acer saccharum
Sugar Maple
Aceraceae
 
This tree is located on the property of Andalusia, Pennsylavania. http://www.andalusiapa.org/







Information from the University of Connecticut plant database. 

Habitat
  • deciduous
  • northeastern and north-central United States, adjacent parts of Canada
  • zone 3
  • primary large, hardwood tree in northeastern U.S. forest

Habit and Form
  • large shade tree
  • 75' or so, but can be well over 100' tall
  • outline is upright oval when younger and more or less gumdrop-shaped to rounded when mature
  • dense foliage and branching
  • texture is medium

Tree 13: Winter King Green Hawthorne: Crataegus viridis

Crataegus viridis
Green Hawthorn   'Winter King'
Rosaceae

 The tree pictured is located on the Biddle family estate in Andalusia, Pennsylvania. http://www.andalusiapa.org/





 'Winter King' - A form that has burst onto the market in recent years, won many awards and been embraced by observers. The fall/winter fruit show can be spectacular, with red pomes that are profuse and persist late into the season. The habit is rounded, to 20' tall and wider, and the plant develops good fall color. White spring flowers and distinct gray bark are added assets. This plant is probably the most commonly available hawthorn on the market.

For more information from the University of Connecticut plant database:
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/plants/c/cravir/cravir1.html


Habitat
  • native eastern United States down through Texas
  • hardy to zone 4
Habit and Form
  • a deciduous tree
  • 25' to 30' tall
  • rounded, wide-spreading crown
  • slow growth rate
  • medium texture
Summer Foliage
  • simple, deciduous leaves
  • alternate leaf arrangement
  • ovate leaf shape
  • up to 3.5" long
  • lobed
  • serrated leaf margins
  • dark green leaf color