Clay soil trees?

kimtryst · 12th January 2008, 07:32 PM

I live in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. We have clay soil and would like to create a resort like garden. Do you have any suggestions of which palm types if any would grow happily in this area??

We have a blank pallette to work with so are open to an ideas.

I would also like a couple of trees that may shade the house in summer and not have prolofic root systems.

Sean Freeman · 12th January 2008, 07:50 PM

Kymtryst I live a fair way away from your local but have visited the very beautiful Geelong Botanic Gardens, in Geelong itself, I would strongly advise you get along to the guided walk taking place on the Sunday 27th Jan 6pm this year. It is celebrating Australian plants at the gardens and you will find many people there to help you with exactly the issues you want answers for. There is a Friends of the Botanic Gardens that would be well worth joining as well.

Botanic Gardens are a greatly underutilised resource in all our cities and larger towns they have in them a wealth of knowledge that the people who work there are only too willing to share with anyone interested. You'd be amazed what little titbits of info you can get about what works and what does not in your area from your Bot Gdns.

kimtryst · 12th January 2008, 08:15 PM

Thank you so much for your quick reply.
What a great idea. I will definitely go.

Ekka · 12th January 2008, 08:24 PM

Is it just palms you want to know about for moist clay soils?

If so, most of them, however your cold winters and dry hot summers might knock some of them around so go for hardy tough ones. Sabal, palmetto, bismak and avoid the cocos or ( Syagrus romanzoffianum) like the plague. Choose slower grower shorter ones preferably without barbs or thorns etc.

They are high maintenance with their berries and leaves though, keep that in mind.

kimtryst · 13th January 2008, 01:32 AM

thank you for your quick reply.
we like succulents as well.
Ultimately want to have a fairly maintenance free and water wise garden, thats why I though palms might be nice, but are open to any ideas.

12th January 2008, 07:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
kimtryst I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria Posts: 3	Clay soil trees? I live in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. We have clay soil and would like to create a resort like garden. Do you have any suggestions of which palm types if any would grow happily in this area?? We have a blank pallette to work with so are open to an ideas. I would also like a couple of trees that may shade the house in summer and not have prolofic root systems.

12th January 2008, 07:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sean Freeman PDF King & Arborist Extrodinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,669	Re: Clay soil trees? Kymtryst I live a fair way away from your local but have visited the very beautiful Geelong Botanic Gardens, in Geelong itself, I would strongly advise you get along to the guided walk taking place on the Sunday 27th Jan 6pm this year. It is celebrating Australian plants at the gardens and you will find many people there to help you with exactly the issues you want answers for. There is a Friends of the Botanic Gardens that would be well worth joining as well. Botanic Gardens are a greatly underutilised resource in all our cities and larger towns they have in them a wealth of knowledge that the people who work there are only too willing to share with anyone interested. You'd be amazed what little titbits of info you can get about what works and what does not in your area from your Bot Gdns. __________________ Sean Trees are poems that earth writes upon the sky, We fell them down and turn them into paper, That we may record our emptiness. - Kahlil Gibran

12th January 2008, 08:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
kimtryst I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria Posts: 3	Re: Clay soil trees? Thank you so much for your quick reply. What a great idea. I will definitely go.

12th January 2008, 08:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ekka Eric Frei Administrator - Brisbane L5 (Dip) Hort Cert III Arb + some Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 6,847	Re: Clay soil trees? Is it just palms you want to know about for moist clay soils? If so, most of them, however your cold winters and dry hot summers might knock some of them around so go for hardy tough ones. Sabal, palmetto, bismak and avoid the cocos or ( Syagrus romanzoffianum) like the plague. Choose slower grower shorter ones preferably without barbs or thorns etc. They are high maintenance with their berries and leaves though, keep that in mind. __________________ Remember to use the "search" function, if you have answers/questions post them so everyone can benefit. Free Tree and Green Industry Link Directory Qualified Brisbane Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding and Stump Removal Brisbane Brisbane Tree Care, Consultations, Developer, Tree and Arborist Reports Forum Sponsors

13th January 2008, 01:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
kimtryst I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria Posts: 3	Re: Clay soil trees? thank you for your quick reply. we like succulents as well. Ultimately want to have a fairly maintenance free and water wise garden, thats why I though palms might be nice, but are open to any ideas.

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