Xtremehorticulture

African Sumac Too Close to a Wall?

Q. I am considering
planting t
hree, 22″ box African sumacs along a 40′ block wall behind a 1.5′
retaining wall. Is this feasible? How far away should they be from the block
wall? Is there a better option for shade that isn’t poisonous to dogs and that
have no invasive root issues?
African sumac planted near a wall flowering in February

 A. 80% of all landscape plants are poisonous.
If your dogs eat enough of any of your plants, they can get sick. 

Plant them no
closer than 3 feet to the wall and 4 feet would be better, and 8 feet is ideal.
This tree can grow to 40 feet and consumes a fair amount of water. These trees
are really not intended to be used for planting along t
all walls because of their
shape. 

Put your permanent irrigation away from the wall so that roots will grow
in that direction and less towards the wall. It is very difficult for me to
make plant recommendations when I don’t know what is available. Consult sites
such as the plant list found at the Las Vegas Valley water District  and consult with your local nursery about availability of the plants that you
like.

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