Starting New House! Finally!

[UpstateSC_Papi]

you might consider hybrid maples too. Varieties such as Blaze maples combine the beauty of red maples with the fast growth of silver maples

I didn't know hybrids existed! Just got off the phone with a local nursery that I'm having quote some of the stuff on my list and they have the Autumn Blaze maple. Highly recommended it! Thanks for the insight!!

 

[UpstateSC_Papi]

Hi Pat!

I hope I can keep mine ringing! Really want to get some of it in the ground b4 spring...

I'm not as computer-minded as I could be if I had more time. I had a copy of the Punch software a few years back (b4 we decided on a plan) but never had time to do anything with it. Would really love to have a package ( a cheap package) that I could insert a picture of my house/land and then place plants around and do the 3 year out, 10 year out look... Google has yet to find one for me... Sigh...

 

[KentT]

I didn't know hybrids existed! Just got off the phone with a local nursery that I'm having quote some of the stuff on my list and they have the Autumn Blaze maple. Highly recommended it! Thanks for the insight!!

Yes, I think they're a great substitute for the type of maples originally suggested. However, be aware that the hybrid Blaze maple grow about 3' per year, compared to the 5' per year for the hybrid elms and up to 8' per year for the hybrid poplars.

Doesn't sound like necessarily that much, but at the end of a five year period, you could be comparing a tree that's under 25 feet tall to one that's over 40 feet tall -- and that makes a BIG difference in the amount of shade produced to cool your house.

I'd still suggest planting more than just maples for shade... i.e. a mix of varieties.

 

[UpstateSC_Papi]

Love mixing so working in some Poplars and Elms would not be a problem!

I appreciate your comments! Learning more everyday!!

 

[tony123]

Michael,

In most every case, the faster the growth the weaker the tree. Some of these trees that have been bred for fast growth are really just one ice storm or wind storm away from coming down. Something to consider.

The most commonly used Maple hybrid around the upstate is "October Glory".

Also wanted to comment on the plan a bit. I think you would be happier if the pool decking and back porch were integrated. Having to walk through the yard to the pool gets old. Also, I'm assuming that the "walks" from the garage, etc. are little paths of lawn? if so, think about how you're going to maintain things. All those little walks mean that you'll be getting out a push mower , edger, etc. If you plan to do all the cutting from the seat of a riding mower then you might want broader, wider, more sweeping curves for your bedlines. That tends to look a little cleaner and less "cluttered" anyhow.

I'm with SCGargoyle though.....so what do I know.

 

[UpstateSC_Papi]

Hi Tony!

Thanks for the input. Have read similar comments on the hybrids. Ask the nursery that quoted me and they indicated they are becoming more of a "best of both worlds". That is the newer "models" are showing the growth of the faster one and the strength of the other. Still not sure if I'm convinced but they are going nowhere near the house or other structure so if they were to break, I'd only have to clean up tree... not house, etc... We'll see...

Pool/deck - all that was completed last summer before we moved in. There is approx 3 feet from the bottom step of the deck to the gate (to allow for the gate to swing open. We wanted it that way so you weren't limited to access onto and over the deck. Can get into that side from the yard. Anywho - it worked good for us all summer!

Paths - Right now there is some grass planted in and around one "path" but a final path design hasn't been decided on by myself and the missus... The leading contender is flag stone or concrete pour them yourself pavers with moss as the filler.. love the look! Great idea tho' on making them a little wider/sweeping for ease of mowing if we go the grass path (no pun intended!).