Q.
You helped me out a couple of years ago when I had questions about growing tree
roses. Now I would like your opinion on
some tree varieties. This fall I would like to replace a couple of sumacs in my
back yard. I really like three trees: olive, chaste and crape myrtle but I
can’t find anything online that compares these three trees. Do you have a favorite? Can you give me some pro’s and con’s compared
to each other?
You helped me out a couple of years ago when I had questions about growing tree
roses. Now I would like your opinion on
some tree varieties. This fall I would like to replace a couple of sumacs in my
back yard. I really like three trees: olive, chaste and crape myrtle but I
can’t find anything online that compares these three trees. Do you have a favorite? Can you give me some pro’s and con’s compared
to each other?
A.
These three trees are dramatically different from one another in many ways, are
used for different purposes in the landscape and have different watering
requirements. All three will work here, Crape Myrtle being more difficult to
manage than Olive or Vitex.
These three trees are dramatically different from one another in many ways, are
used for different purposes in the landscape and have different watering
requirements. All three will work here, Crape Myrtle being more difficult to
manage than Olive or Vitex.
.JPG) |
| Crape myrtle growing in desert soil |
Comparing
all three trees, crape Myrtle provides the most year around beauty in the
landscape. All of them are relatively slow in getting some size so you might
shop for some larger trees if you want some instant impact after their
planting.
all three trees, crape Myrtle provides the most year around beauty in the
landscape. All of them are relatively slow in getting some size so you might
shop for some larger trees if you want some instant impact after their
planting.
Olive
is the only evergreen tree in the group. I would classify European olive as
primarily a 25 to 35 ft. shade tree that can take tremendous abuse. This tree
will rebound if pruned badly so it is a relatively safe tree to have if you
contract blow and go landscapers to do your property.
is the only evergreen tree in the group. I would classify European olive as
primarily a 25 to 35 ft. shade tree that can take tremendous abuse. This tree
will rebound if pruned badly so it is a relatively safe tree to have if you
contract blow and go landscapers to do your property.
The
other two trees will not rebound like an olive if they are pruned badly. In my
opinion, Crape Myrtle might be ruined.
other two trees will not rebound like an olive if they are pruned badly. In my
opinion, Crape Myrtle might be ruined.
If
you need something that creates shade, screens, or privacy all year round and
is easy on water use, then you might consider olive. As you know we can only
plant so-called fruitless olive in Clark County, Nevada. So you will be
restricted to either Swan Hill or Wilsonii. However, you can add Monrovia
nursery’s Majestic Beauty (Monher variety) to the fruitless list as well.
you need something that creates shade, screens, or privacy all year round and
is easy on water use, then you might consider olive. As you know we can only
plant so-called fruitless olive in Clark County, Nevada. So you will be
restricted to either Swan Hill or Wilsonii. However, you can add Monrovia
nursery’s Majestic Beauty (Monher variety) to the fruitless list as well.
I
have had numerous complaints about fruitless varieties producing fruit as they
get older. It is believed this happens because these are grafted varieties and
the top is lost at the bud union. The rootstock continues growing which is a
fruitful olive and the tree becomes an olive tree that produces fruit with a
fruitless tag. Others believe tags are mixed up in the nursery.
have had numerous complaints about fruitless varieties producing fruit as they
get older. It is believed this happens because these are grafted varieties and
the top is lost at the bud union. The rootstock continues growing which is a
fruitful olive and the tree becomes an olive tree that produces fruit with a
fruitless tag. Others believe tags are mixed up in the nursery.
 |
| Crape myrtle trunk, young tree |
In
any case, don’t expect your fruitless olive to be totally fruitless. If you
need this tree to be totally fruitless, pick something else. Olive is
relatively pest free. It requires minimal maintenance.
Both
olive and Crape Myrtle get to be similar in mature size, around 25 to 40 feet.
It will do well in a lawn or a rock mulch desert landscape. You would use this
tree if you want a rock solid landscape tree that can handle a lot of abuse.
olive and Crape Myrtle get to be similar in mature size, around 25 to 40 feet.
It will do well in a lawn or a rock mulch desert landscape. You would use this
tree if you want a rock solid landscape tree that can handle a lot of abuse.
Crape
Myrtle can also be spelled Crêpe Myrtle. In other parts of the country they
come in a wide range of mature sizes ranging from 3 feet tall to 25 feet tall.
Their flower color ranges from white to pink’s, to reds, two lavenders.
Myrtle can also be spelled Crêpe Myrtle. In other parts of the country they
come in a wide range of mature sizes ranging from 3 feet tall to 25 feet tall.
Their flower color ranges from white to pink’s, to reds, two lavenders.
Selection
in Las Vegas will be much more limited but shop around. I have been surprised
seeing selections in Lowe’s and Home Depot. It is flat-out gorgeous tree if
cared for properly. That is the key.
in Las Vegas will be much more limited but shop around. I have been surprised
seeing selections in Lowe’s and Home Depot. It is flat-out gorgeous tree if
cared for properly. That is the key.
 |
| European olive |
It
is what we call a specimen tree, a showstopper when in bloom and even in the
winter when it is leafless. It is meant to be a focal point for landscape. A
larger tree will provide shade as it gets older but it is really meant to
stimulate conversations and to draw your eye because it says, “Look at me!”
when it is blooming.
is what we call a specimen tree, a showstopper when in bloom and even in the
winter when it is leafless. It is meant to be a focal point for landscape. A
larger tree will provide shade as it gets older but it is really meant to
stimulate conversations and to draw your eye because it says, “Look at me!”
when it is blooming.
 |
| Olive flowers |
Crape
Myrtle is a beautiful tree when it is blooming but I would argue that the
texture of its trunk and its silhouette in winter rivals its flowers. The
exfoliating character of the trunk is gorgeous up close.
If
pruned properly its winter silhouette without leaves can be beautiful as well.
The combination of flowers and uniqueness of its trunk and winter silhouette
provides year around beauty.
pruned properly its winter silhouette without leaves can be beautiful as well.
The combination of flowers and uniqueness of its trunk and winter silhouette
provides year around beauty.
This
tree needs to be pruned professionally by certified arborists or by a
knowledgeable homeowner. You do not want blow and go landscapers to touch this
tree!
tree needs to be pruned professionally by certified arborists or by a
knowledgeable homeowner. You do not want blow and go landscapers to touch this
tree!
It
will require special fertilizer applications including iron. It will do best
with wood surface mulches but it can grow in desert landscapes as well. In
desert/rock landscapes crape Myrtle will require more care to keep it looking
good over the years.
will require special fertilizer applications including iron. It will do best
with wood surface mulches but it can grow in desert landscapes as well. In
desert/rock landscapes crape Myrtle will require more care to keep it looking
good over the years.
There
are dwarf varieties 3 to 6 feet tall, semi-dwarf varieties 7 or 8 feet tall,
all the way up to full size which is about 25 feet in height. Most sold here
are full-sized but shop around and you may get lucky finding other types.
are dwarf varieties 3 to 6 feet tall, semi-dwarf varieties 7 or 8 feet tall,
all the way up to full size which is about 25 feet in height. Most sold here
are full-sized but shop around and you may get lucky finding other types.
Locally
I have had complaints that trees were mislabeled and customers received a
different flower color from what they expected. The other complaint was how
they were planted.
I have had complaints that trees were mislabeled and customers received a
different flower color from what they expected. The other complaint was how
they were planted.
Be
very careful of companies that advertise free planting. This tree needs to have
plenty of soil amendment go into the planting hole at the time of planting.
When planting is free, the holes are dug way too small, very little soil
amendment is used and the type of soil amendment used his lousy.
very careful of companies that advertise free planting. This tree needs to have
plenty of soil amendment go into the planting hole at the time of planting.
When planting is free, the holes are dug way too small, very little soil
amendment is used and the type of soil amendment used his lousy.
If
I were buying a boxed, specimen Crape Myrtle I would want to see that the
flower color matched the nursery tag and I would have the hole dug to my specifications
by an outside party and buy my soil amendment separately from the plant
purchase.
I were buying a boxed, specimen Crape Myrtle I would want to see that the
flower color matched the nursery tag and I would have the hole dug to my specifications
by an outside party and buy my soil amendment separately from the plant
purchase.
I
would be placing this near a patio, a sitting area outside the master bedroom,
near a place for people congregate in the backyard, or where you want people to
look in the front yard. It has few pest problems.
would be placing this near a patio, a sitting area outside the master bedroom,
near a place for people congregate in the backyard, or where you want people to
look in the front yard. It has few pest problems.
Vitex
or Chaste tree is a smaller tree than the other two. None of the three trees
are trees that originate from deserts. However, all three will perform in a
desert landscape reasonably well.
or Chaste tree is a smaller tree than the other two. None of the three trees
are trees that originate from deserts. However, all three will perform in a
desert landscape reasonably well.
 |
| Vitex in bloom |
On
the positive side of Vitex is its flowers. It is sometimes called the Lilac
chaste tree because it’s floral display does resemble lilac and it is a good
alternative to lilac in hot deserts.
the positive side of Vitex is its flowers. It is sometimes called the Lilac
chaste tree because it’s floral display does resemble lilac and it is a good
alternative to lilac in hot deserts.
Vitex
is considered to be either a large shrub or small flowering tree. It can be
grown either way. When in bloom it does attract butterflies with flowers
ranging in color from lavender to mauve to off white or light pink.
is considered to be either a large shrub or small flowering tree. It can be
grown either way. When in bloom it does attract butterflies with flowers
ranging in color from lavender to mauve to off white or light pink.
.JPG) |
| Vitex in winter form |
However
there are some newer varieties with the improved floral color and with very
long flower spikes up to 12 inches in length. You will have to look around for
these superior varieties. There are just too many to list but a partial list
can be found at http://www.plantintroductions.com/vitexanewbeginning.html
there are some newer varieties with the improved floral color and with very
long flower spikes up to 12 inches in length. You will have to look around for
these superior varieties. There are just too many to list but a partial list
can be found at http://www.plantintroductions.com/vitexanewbeginning.html
The
leaves and seeds are aromatic. It must be pruned carefully when young to give
it good form or its winter look may not be the best. It can look kind of ratty
in the winter if not pruned well.
leaves and seeds are aromatic. It must be pruned carefully when young to give
it good form or its winter look may not be the best. It can look kind of ratty
in the winter if not pruned well.
It
is good in a dry landscape, a show stopper from May to about September. Use as
summer focal point. Few pest problems but could be damaged by blow and go
landscapers if allowed to prune it.
is good in a dry landscape, a show stopper from May to about September. Use as
summer focal point. Few pest problems but could be damaged by blow and go
landscapers if allowed to prune it.