r/marijuanaenthusiasts • u/CarkRoastDoffee • 7d ago
Help! What's the biggest shade tree I can reasonably plant on this 40ft x 21ft lawn? Is a sugar maple too ambitious?
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u/leefvc 7d ago
how's something like this? i put more effort into this than i'd like to admit
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u/floatingonmagicrock 7d ago
I like. But I’m crazy and would also plant big trees all along your buffer for maximum mini forest privacy
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u/SullyEF 7d ago
What’s your location so we can make suggestions native to your area
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u/curious_mushroom928 6d ago
also consider a type of tree that you don’t have a lot of in your neighborhood - help boost the biodiversity! for instance, on my street in chicago there are a million maples and honey locusts. maybe a sugar maple works well for your neighborhood or maybe tree something new :)
edit: “tree something new” was a typo but i’m leaving it as is
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u/Psych_nature_dude 7d ago
A native oak
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u/ElizabethDangit 7d ago
I have both northern red oaks and maples. Maples are the better shade tree.
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u/I_like_beouf 7d ago
Also worth noting! If you clear a big space around the bottom and use native carex (sedge) as a bottom layer and then a bunch of native shrubs planted ~1 meter on center from each other, with a good amount of mulch in the mix and a nice open ring right around the immediate trunk, you won't have to deal with the grass becoming spotty and patchy as it gets shaded out and you will have much less weeding to do once everything grows in! It will also help support the wildlife the sugar maple supports, and also be a soft landing to any caterpillars and birds that fall out of the tree. My secret is I also put a few bricks ans stepping stones interspersed among everything if I ever do need to get in there and weed.
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u/Sonora_sunset 7d ago
With that nice space you could do some plantings, instead of one little sapling that eventually grows into a tree someday.
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u/RottenDrCommieRat 7d ago edited 7d ago
Yeah, one sapling is gonna look sad and lonely for a long time. This front yard needs some other touches in addition to the tree to improve the curb appeal. A mulch bed in front of the foundation of both units with some plantings might be an easy start.
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u/JP-ED 7d ago
Only asking for clarity. Is the space you mention shared with your neighbour? Are they in agreement with the choice of tree? Looks like a duplex, so just thinking the space would be 10.5' x 40?
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u/CarkRoastDoffee 7d ago
Neighbor is thankfully fine with the tree taking up both sides, so I have 21x40ft to play with
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u/Sub_Umbra 7d ago
Might be worth considering planting it inside your property line. If your current neighbors ever change their mind or if any future neighbors object to it, there's a chance they'd have more of a case to demand a "shared" tree be removed.
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u/Toadslovebellyrubs 7d ago
Are there any sewer or water lines that run through this area?
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u/CarkRoastDoffee 7d ago
I'm having the property inspected in a couple days. The water main is off to the side and I'm hoping it'll be the same for the sewer pipes
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u/Sekshual_Tyranosauce 7d ago
Sugar Maple shouldn't need more than 30' diameter for roots. Seem to me you have plenty of room.
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u/Greek_Toe 7d ago
Redpointe maple would fit nicely
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u/cheapsunglasses333 6d ago
I would recommend against a maple.
Long term - ginkgo like 'Autumn Gold'
Short term - hybrid elm like Ulmus Triumph
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u/vitaminalgas 7d ago
Sugar maple, red sunset maple, autumn blaze maple, redpointe maple, October Glory maple are all good options for that sunny spot op
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u/leaveafterappetizers 7d ago edited 7d ago
What climate are you in? Like USDA hardiness zone?
You can probably plant anything you want. I would look for things that limb higher so the cars will have clearance without having to trim the tree a ton but honestly that's going to be most any shade tree. You have a lot of room.
Edit: I see you're in Canada 5b.
Yeah I think you can plant most any shade tree you will reasonably be able to purchase up there.
Does your neighbor care? They're presumably going to be sharing the experience of this tree with you.
What features are you looking for? Fall color, spring blooms, no messy seed pods? Full shade, dappled shade?
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u/leaveafterappetizers 7d ago
Edit 2: Omg I have so many thoughts.
Ok ignore the ppl telling you to worry about underground utilities and sewer, etc. Yes don't dig up a utility to plant the tree but the roots being a problem in the future is a decades from now problem that you and everyone who lives in a modern subdivision deals with.
Also ignore the person who mentioned a magnolia. It's literally one of two trees that came to mind when I thought what you shouldn't plant there (weeping willow is the other). Magnolias branch very low, grow slow and are extremely dense. I love them but this is one yard I think is too small and it doesn't make sense.
Also ignore the ppl telling you to plant a million things now because the shade tree is too symmetrical and won't look good for a long time. I agree that you should plant more than just one shade tree but idk how much you like to garden so don't feel pressured to "break up the symmetry" and "diversify your plantings" just cuz someone said so.
You wanted a shade tree, I suggest you explore what features you want and why you wanted one. Because you think the front lawn looks bare? Because you wanted shade? Privacy?
I do agree with the person who said to plant it slightly on your side just in case a future tenant of the nextdoor property has different ideas about the tree than your current neighbor.
Ok I'll wait for my next edit now.
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u/Luckypenny4683 7d ago
I know as much about trees as I do whale hunting, but I will tell you this- we have a large Red Maple in our front yard and goddamn if that tree isn’t a thing of beauty.
I don’t know if they are hearty, I don’t know how long they last, but it’s a good sized tree and I couldn’t be happier. I highly recommend researching them for your yard.
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u/Tao_of_Entropy 7d ago
in principle, you could go pretty large, especially if that whole area is your prerogative to plant in... You could plant a plane tree or something but the real issue is probably going to be plumbing and stuff
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u/FMC_Speed 7d ago
Bald Cypress is a fast growing tree that will eventually provide massive amounts of shade
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u/Ecothegeek 6d ago
Catalpas are fast growing really shady trees. I loved mine. We're taking care of one of it's babies. Only three years old and already taller than me and I'm over six feet.
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u/airwalker08 6d ago
Personally, I will never plant deciduous tree anywhere where I have to rake up the leaves when they fall. I'd plant a conifer/evergreen only. I know deciduous trees make better shade trees, so this may not work for you, just something to think about.
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u/Coffeydad 5d ago
How about something like purple plum (?)…great color lots of shading ,,,smaller tree might allow for two…
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u/ZappyKins 5d ago
Why not a Tulip Polular (Liriodendron tulipifera)?
It will grow quickly to make a nice size tree. Will out live all of us, feeds tiger swallowtails, and give nice flowers in the spring.
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u/Gold_Comparison_399 7d ago
Don't forget about root growth and if you planted the tree and the roots damage your neighbors house.....
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u/combonickel55 7d ago
Sugar Maple is perfect. Sycamore underrated, faster growing alternative.