ADVERTISEMENT

WAAAAAY OT. Planting advice for a north facing front

litespeedhuskerfan

litespeedhuskerfan

Nebraska Legend
Aug 27, 2006
26,983
27,867
113
Sooooo, as the title suggests, and since we're all about OT these days, I am seeking some input from people with first hand experience in the Omaha area, since that's where I reside....

My house front faces north, yet it still gets about 5+hrs of good sun a day, and I am looking for a smaller decorative tree to plant in place of a 25 y/o Alberta spruce that shit the bed. "smaller" in the sense at full maturity it's 15' or less, and 6-8' wide/round

I know this topic isn't all that riveting, but any advice or sharing of your experience would be most appreciated. Thanks.
 
Pick your favorite of the Crabapple tree hybrids. They are tougher for this area and have some resistance to herbicide drift (if you are anywhere remotely close to farmland. Other options for some cool smaller trees would be a Serviceberry (or Juneberry), Dogwood, and Redbud. Each of those have different varieties available. Winterberry and Japanese Maple are other options.

Check out some local nursery websites. See what they offer. I like to do a bit of research on my own before going in. Good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: SeaOfRed75 and litespeedhuskerfan
I third the Japanese Maple - just planted one in my backyard and it gets part-shade during the day. They can be pretty expensive, but IMO completely worth it.

I believe they come in both green and purple, but I much prefer the purple.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SeaOfRed75
SeaOfRed75 said:
Japanese Maple can be beautiful. Pricy for a bigger one though.
Click to expand...
HuskerLove1 said:
I third the Japanese Maple - just planted one in my backyard and it gets part-shade during the day. They can be pretty expensive, but IMO completely worth it.

I believe they come in both green and purple, but I much prefer the purple.
Click to expand...

I have one near the location I speak of here, 20 years old...absolutely stunning tree, especially when it is hit with some sun and the brilliant wine colored leaves practically glow. One of my faves. Thanks to you both for chiming in!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: SeaOfRed75
We really love the prairie fire crab apple we planted 10 years ago. It might be slightly bigger than the specs you mentioned but it's pretty close.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dean Pope and jrhuskerdad
litespeedhuskerfan said:
I have one near the location I speak of here, 20 years old...absolutely stunning tree, especially when it is hit with some sun and the brilliant wine colored leaves practically glow. One of my faves. Thanks to you both for chiming in!!!!
Click to expand...
If you have the one look into other varieties. The most common is Bloodgood. But there are TONS of varieties. Some green leaves, some more orange. Some very dissected. More lace like looking.
 
Japanese maple in Nebraska? On the north side of the house?

My in-laws planted one, oh I don't know 20 years ago now I think. They weren't really expecting it to live but they shielded it as best they could. Maybe consider looking into that before making the investment. Or maybe the breed is tougher now.
 
jflores said:
Japanese maple in Nebraska? On the north side of the house?

My in-laws planted one, oh I don't know 20 years ago now I think. They weren't really expecting it to live but they shielded it as best they could. Maybe consider looking into that before making the investment. Or maybe the breed is tougher now.
Click to expand...

I have one that has no business doing as well as it has in the spot it is in... it be like that sometimes with plants and trees.
 
litespeedhuskerfan said:
Sooooo, as the title suggests, and since we're all about OT these days, I am seeking some input from people with first hand experience in the Omaha area, since that's where I reside....

My house front faces north, yet it still gets about 5+hrs of good sun a day, and I am looking for a smaller decorative tree to plant in place of a 25 y/o Alberta spruce that shit the bed. "smaller" in the sense at full maturity it's 15' or less, and 6-8' wide/round

I know this topic isn't all that riveting, but any advice or sharing of your experience would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
I once bought this sad little crab apple tree from Walmart for $5 on clearance. Gave it some TLC and that thing took off like a champ.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dean Pope
litespeedhuskerfan said:
Sooooo, as the title suggests, and since we're all about OT these days, I am seeking some input from people with first hand experience in the Omaha area, since that's where I reside....

My house front faces north, yet it still gets about 5+hrs of good sun a day, and I am looking for a smaller decorative tree to plant in place of a 25 y/o Alberta spruce that shit the bed. "smaller" in the sense at full maturity it's 15' or less, and 6-8' wide/round

I know this topic isn't all that riveting, but any advice or sharing of your experience would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I was hoping to hear more about your recent dating exploits based on the title of the thread. Instead we get tree talk? Not cool.
 
  • Like
Reactions: litespeedhuskerfan and leodisflowers
jflores said:
Japanese maple in Nebraska? On the north side of the house?

My in-laws planted one, oh I don't know 20 years ago now I think. They weren't really expecting it to live but they shielded it as best they could. Maybe consider looking into that before making the investment. Or maybe the breed is tougher now.
Click to expand...
Japanese maples are also a favorite of Japanese beetles, which have begun to emerge in Eastern Nebraska. Stick with the crabapple. The Prairie fire mentioned above is a good choice and is generally resistant to beetles and apple scab disease. The Prairie fire is also beautiful year round. Purple flowers in spring, red foliage in summer, and colorful fruits that last into winter. Fruits are pretty small and will be eaten by birds so not too messy of a tree
 
We really need these home improvement threads to start out like they do on tv.

"I'm a public school teacher and my husband works pro bono for an environmental advocacy group. We saved a little and have a million dollars to buy a vintage home and a renovation budget of another million to million and a half dollars."
 
  • Like
Reactions: huntered and litespeedhuskerfan
jflores said:
We really need these home improvement threads to start out like they do on tv.

"I'm a public school teacher and my husband works pro bono for an environmental advocacy group. We saved a little and have a million dollars to buy a vintage home and a renovation budget of another million to million and a half dollars."
Click to expand...

..."and 10 days to complete it"
 
  • Like
Reactions: huntered
drubendall said:
You are the Quagmire of HI
Click to expand...

Been seeing the same chica for 9 months (like exclusive and everything), that would be a record for Quagmire I think? ....and I don't host diner parties for blow-up dolls with mouths open wide....but dang if that guy doesn't crack me the EFF up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: drubendall
jrhuskerdad said:
Japanese maples are also a favorite of Japanese beetles, which have begun to emerge in Eastern Nebraska. Stick with the crabapple. The Prairie fire mentioned above is a good choice and is generally resistant to beetles and apple scab disease. The Prairie fire is also beautiful year round. Purple flowers in spring, red foliage in summer, and colorful fruits that last into winter. Fruits are pretty small and will be eaten by birds so not too messy of a tree
Click to expand...

We have Japanese beetles bad where I live and they dont touch Japanese Maples here.....
 
litespeedhuskerfan said:
Sooooo, as the title suggests, and since we're all about OT these days, I am seeking some input from people with first hand experience in the Omaha area, since that's where I reside....

My house front faces north, yet it still gets about 5+hrs of good sun a day, and I am looking for a smaller decorative tree to plant in place of a 25 y/o Alberta spruce that shit the bed. "smaller" in the sense at full maturity it's 15' or less, and 6-8' wide/round

I know this topic isn't all that riveting, but any advice or sharing of your experience would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Have you thought of oakleaf hydrangeas? While they arent a tree they fit the bill as far as size and they are extremely hardy and grow great in sun and shade. You also get a plant that has something for every part of the season.
 
Mr.Scary13 said:
Have you thought of oakleaf hydrangeas? While they arent a tree they fit the bill as far as size and they are extremely hardy and grow great in sun and shade. You also get a plant that has something for every part of the season.
Click to expand...

Funny you would mention that!!! I was looking at those last night at Lanahas
 
:D
litespeedhuskerfan said:
Sooooo, as the title suggests, and since we're all about OT these days, I am seeking some input from people with first hand experience in the Omaha area, since that's where I reside....

My house front faces north, yet it still gets about 5+hrs of good sun a day, and I am looking for a smaller decorative tree to plant in place of a 25 y/o Alberta spruce that shit the bed. "smaller" in the sense at full maturity it's 15' or less, and 6-8' wide/round

I know this topic isn't all that riveting, but any advice or sharing of your experience would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I was told to never by a home facing north. :D
 
I haven't seen a single Japanese beetle yet this year. When do they come out? Planning to squish every one I find between my fingers, little jerks
 
Mr.Scary13 said:
Have you thought of oakleaf hydrangeas? While they arent a tree they fit the bill as far as size and they are extremely hardy and grow great in sun and shade. You also get a plant that has something for every part of the season.
Click to expand...

I have 2 on the backside of my home which faces due north and they look fantastic. They get between 3 and 4 hours of sun a day.
 
Mr.Scary13 said:
We have Japanese beetles bad where I live and they dont touch Japanese Maples here.....
Click to expand...
Last year our 3-year old tree was covered with them and chewed almost bare. Our neighbor’s was too. May be a product of other nearby options. We are in a new neighborhood with all young trees and landscaping
 
jrhuskerdad said:
Last year our 3-year old tree was covered with them and chewed almost bare. Our neighbor’s was too. May be a product of other nearby options. We are in a new neighborhood with all young trees and landscaping
Click to expand...

Sounds like you need some Bayer tree and shrub protection. Feed your tree and plants this and they wont touch them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jrhuskerdad
You must log in or register to reply here.
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back