Trees in Low Light Area

pulsar2121

I need some help deciding which trees to plant in a low light area. These trees will need to grow in the shadows of other trees in a woods. These are the trees that grow well in my region: Ash, Russian Olive, Boxelder, Poplar-Cottonwood hybrid, and Japanese Elm. Which of these trees will grow best? Thanks, pulsar2121.

Brent Ferris

What area are you in? How low is low light ie how much shade? Is it continuous shade eg building, or partial shade - eg. morning or evening from trees? Are you trying to plant under tree cover, if so what species of tree? Is there an adequate water supply? What is the existing ground cover like? Virtually all the trees you specified like full sun. Once established, boxelder will survive with some shade., Black ash might tolerate some shade, as might blue ash - ash on its own is not definitive enough.

Need more info. Pics help a lot.

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pulsar2121

I am in North Dakota. It is continuously about 25% shade. I am trying to plant under very tall pine trees. Don't really know what species they are. There is no water for 2 miles. There is almost no existing ground cover in this part of the woods, but there are some weeds and deciduous tree saplings that are a bout 6-inches high. Most of the ground is just tons of pine needles with dirt underneath. Will get some pics later today. Won't be that accurate though because at the moment the ground is covered in snow and the deciduous trees haven't grown leaves yet. The pictures will help you get an idea of what types of pine are in there though.

pulsar2121

Here are the pictures. As you can see I have been working on clearing the standing dead trees to let in more sunlight. The third picture shows the tree cover directly above the planned growing spot. All of those deciduous trees are still living and have tons of leaves that block the sun in the summer. The fourth picture is what most of the woods is like. The second picture is where I will be planting. Hope this gives you a better idea of what type of woods it is.

Attached Thumbnails

         

pulsar2121

Sorry, missed the part about the ash. I don't really know what type of ash, but I added a picture of it to the site I gave a link to in my previous post.

Brent Ferris

The ash leaf looks like White Ash (pic 5). THe conifers in pic 2 look mostly dead and I would remove them if that is true and feasible. THe conifer needles on the ground look like a mix of spruce and pine. If the pine needles are 5 needles to a cluster, then they are likely White Pine. However, looking into the crowns - pic # 4 suggests Red Pine (2 needled). Unfortunately this view of the hardwood trees makes it hard (at least for me) to identify the trees. The one in the back may be an ash. Pics flat on to the trunk and to the stem leading into the crown are best, and closeups of the buds if you can get them.

The biggest problem with dry sites is not too many deciduous trees will grow in dry shade. If the cover you want does not need to grow high, an understory tree or large shrub might suffice (height 20 to 30 feet). Buckthorn (Rhamnus sp) often considered an invasive species will tolerate a lot of shade and -- for most trees -- unfavorable growing conditions. Some of the honeysuckles (Lonicera sp) might do; if Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) grows in your area, it is another possibility. There are probably other woodland shrubby trees in your area that will take, but most species need to have water to start.

When Eric sees this posting he will likely remove your link, and ask you to post your pics directly to the forum, and will refer you to the post that tells you how to post pics (that you got when you joined)

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My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

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Eric Frei

How to post| add a picture or file| embed picture

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Brent Ferris

Thanks for posting the pics for all to see Eric !!!

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)

Eric Frei

JayD did it.

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pulsar2121

Thanks for posting the pics JayD. I don't know what happened I used the IMG code from ???????????. Anyway about the trees. Yes, in pic 2 those are about 30 dead Colorado Spruce. I can cut them down(It only takes me about 5 mins per tree, it's splitting the wood that takes forever.). About the trees in pic 4, there are tons of needles to a cluster. You could sweep with them if you wanted to. Though, I can't really get a better picture of the pines because they are about 80ft tall. Someone planted this woods about 60 years ago. They did alternating rows of pine and spruce. All of the spruce died except the first row exposed to the sun. Some deciduous trees have grown in since then like box elder, white ash, and cottonwood. I do not want to plant cottonwoods because in the ares where they are, they have totally wiped out every other tree in the area. It is OK if the trees need water to get started because I am only feet away. I would prefer taller trees so the deer can walk under them without any problems. Never heard of Buckthorn, honeysuckles, or Ironwood. Since I really don't have a any money to spend on this woods, I would prefer to transplant trees already here to thinner parts of the woods. Still need help figuring out which of my limited options are the best. Hope this information helps.

pulsar2121

Apparently the words "photo - bucket" is blocked

Eric Frei

Along with many others, designed to force people to obey rules here.

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pulsar2121

Just wanted to make sure everybody would fully understand my post.

Brent Ferris

If you examine the needles, not a big bunch, but say one needle, its end will be joined to one or more needles -- and it is that number of needles that can help determine which species of pine it is,
I am troubled that all the pines are Colorado spruce -- these had green needles or were they the blue variety? In any case, Colorado spruce is susceptible to a disease known as Cytospora kunzei. This disease kills Colorado spruce (Blue spruce is especially susceptible), (White and Norway seem semi resistant), Hemlock, Douglas Fir, and probably the pines (uncertain of its effect on the pines - not witnessed enough long term exposure yet). The best way to eliminate the disease (if the trees have/had it) is to clean up all contaminated needles and branches and burn them to destroy the spores.,
While you may not have heard of the species I mentioned, if you contact a local arborist or forestry professional and ask for a visit, they may be able to advise you better. The trees you mentioned all need full sun, so unless you intend to clearcut and replant, you will need other options and on site advice.

__________________
My business: Tree Pruning and Removals -- Strump Removals -- Advice -- Consulting -- Arborist Reports
If you want an honest opinion, call Brent Ferris...because, Trees want to Live Too !
We do great jobs, even in small yards.

Free Estimates Oakville to Oshawa - North to Bradford (Will travel further if cost of travelling covered)