Park from scratch

cuttenwolf

cuttenwolf

Location
mon co, nj
I have the opportunity to be invovled with the developement of a walking park. There will be roughly 100 plus hardwood trees planted. After looking at the list of trees it looks like way too many Red maple(18) and Green ash(14) will be planted. I am looking for suggestions for a variety of species. I have trees in mind but would like to hear from others and their ideas. Thanks
 
what kind of soil/drainage is over there? what does the site look like currently?

what about some flowering trees like magnolias, etc.?

these are just the first thoughts I had. any more information about the park would be great!
 
There is probably a list that has been developed by your state forestry department of native trees in your area. Sticking with trees that have historically grown well in your area is a good start.

There are some native trees that aren't desireable urban trees. There are many introduced trees that aren't desireable either.

What are the species ratios? There is a developed ratio for species and cultivars for urban forests. Diversity is important.

Do you really want to plant many ash since EAB is on the wing?
 
if i was walking in a park i would love to see sugar maples before i saw red maples...also, if there is water features in the park, try getting some cypress in there. Not sure if your location would support their growth very well though.
 
OK gentleman. I agree that the ash is a bad idea and I certainly do not agree with all those red maples. I have looked at lists and lists and would just like to have ideas of trees from tree guys. Throw out some names. I was considering some Hybrid elms(Princeton and valley forge), variety of oaks(sawtooth, swamp white, willow and laurel), zelkova and perhaps some kentucky coffee in the open areas. The idea is to get diversity and not have a monoculture.
 
Since my experience with trees in mostly in Minneapolis and central Texas I can't help you with species choices. Follow what Kieth wrote about diversity.

The USDA has moved hardiness zones north over the past few years. That means that trees that couldn't be grown because of winter temps that are too low can now be grown. Think of sprinkling in some trees that you might consider 'too southern' to survive. Think tree-time.
 
Guessing it's a low spot if red maple and green ash have already been suggested.

Any or all of these northeast natives worth considering for a low site:
Pin Oak
White Pine, despite their reputation, fast growing and can be majestic with age
Swamp White Oak
Black Gum (tupelo) great fall color
Red Maple (nothing wrong with a few of them, great color in fall)
American Sycamore
Silver Maple
American Beech
Cucumber Magnolia
Atlantic White Cedar

-AJ
 
Cool opportunity! Imagine walking thru the park with your grandbabies and being able to point out the trees you planted and suggested.

Go with native, throw a few that can handle the zone, but might push the limit. Always interesting to see a tree you didn't think would survive in a certain area as standing testimony to its adaptive ability.
 
Just to be accurate, Princeton and VF are not hybrids, they are straight species cultivars that are DED resistant. Go with Princeton if you can. Other ideas are:

Pin Oak (already mentioned)
Tupelo (already mentioned)
Corylus colurna
Ostrya virginiana
Katsura (already mentioned)
Hetzii columnaris juniper
Toontree (Cedrela sinensis)
Caucasian Fir (Abies nordmanii)
Aesculus X carnea (Red Horsechestnut)
Betula lenta (hard to find)
LINDENS!!!

...and the rest of AJ's list!

-Tom
 
Please do not forget the understory trees.
These are the companions and add considerabley to a healthy canopy.
Cercis, Carpinus, Ptelea, Vaccinum, viburnum, Magnolia etc.

Plant in groups of 3, 5 or seven and you will see maintenance cost lower and tree vitality rocket.

Think micro-forests and not specimens.
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Find it very sad to see a specimen tree with no neighbours to take shelter with especialy in the extremes of winter and summer.

All the best with th project.
 
Just a question is this donated money to for the the whole project? If it is then you are looking at your basic lower priced trees, Good idea is to have some of the project people to go to some tree farms to see the different tree species.
 
I'd say take a long look at the forests surrounding that particular area and mimic what you see in areas similar to your planting site.

We have a lot of areas of nearby forest and forested lands within our local area that are mono-culutures of a variety of species.

For example there mono-cultures of Thuja occidetnalis (lime stone ledge) Tsuga canadensis (forest lowlands) Acer saccharum (fertile slopes) and Fagus grandifolia (fertile tops) to name a few.

We also have hodgepodge communities of trees, usually in areas that have been logged, cleared or disturbed.

Again, look at the local woods around you and match species to the varying conditions on your planting lot. You will bring the forest home for the park goers and will likely make a lasting micro forest.
 
I would add chestnut oak, burr oak, shagbark hickory.

What is the intent of the park? To restore native species? Will there be some id plaques put up? What is the current condition? Downsview Airbase in Toronto is an example of what you're speaking of. A component of the site is called the Canada Forest. Before moving here I worked with the company that coordinated the volunteer planting on Arbor day. In the 3 yrs I was involved we planted about 6,000 trees. All of the species were native to reflect the restoration of the boreal forest that once grew there. It is an amazing ambitious project which was an honour to be part of and continues today.

Each year we see small children come out with their parents to plant trees they will then revisit with their children.

Will you be using a volunteer group to do the planting?
 
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