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Need Tree Planting Advice - Sapling, 15 Gallon, or 30 Gallon? (Central Texas)
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Need Tree Planting Advice – Sapling, 15 Gallon, or 30 Gallon? (Central Texas)


I lost the only tree in my front yard, a large cedar elm, in the 2021 Texas ice storm (I live in North Austin, Texas). A tree guy highly recommended leaving the stump and letting it grow back, but that just resulted in a bunch of suckers that looked like a bush. I gave up and got the stump ground down.

Now I need to plant a tree to replace it. Since I now have no front yard trees, I am looking for the option that will grow the fastest but still be healthy, especially for curb appeal since I may sell within the next few years. I've decided on a Monterrey Oak for the front yard since it sounds like they are doing pretty well in our current climate and also are one of the faster growing oaks. The front yard faces North.

I would also like to plant some trees near the deck in the back yard for shade and bird habitat. I have big live oak out back and it lost about 1/3 of its canopy in the ice storm but the pecan next to it and the cedar elms in the back of the yard all seemed to do pretty well.

The guy planting the trees came at the recommendation of a friend who was very happy with the tree she got from him. He said planting 30 gallon container trees is the most commonly requested things he plants and they've done well, but what I'm reading online sounds like a container tree could create problems down the line. I am not sure if that is pretty universal, or just if you don't make sure the roots aren't twisting (girdling?) when you plant it, and don't plant it too deep.

The options I'm considering for the front yard (I am not sure how many trees I have room for):

  1. A 15 or 30 gallon container tree plus a sapling to see which one fares better (if I did this, how close should I put them in case they both survive?
  2. A couple saplings in case any don't make it (no container trees)
  3. Just a 15 or 30 gallon container tree (no saplings

For the back yard, I would like to plant 2 trees closer towards the house for shade and I am considering a Monterrey oak, Chinkapin oak. I am saw the Anacua is nice for pollinators. Open to other suggestions.

Any recommendations or advice would be helpful. I've never planted a tree before and since it can take 5-20 years to see if it worked out well, I'm hoping to make the best decisions I can.

QUESTIONS:

1) What should I plant in the front yard? (sapling, 15 or 30 gallon container, combo)

2) What should I plant in the back yard? (sapling, 15 or 30 gallon container, combo, and which variety of tree)

3) If I do container trees, what should I watch out for to make sure they are healthy?

by HospitalMoist4486

2 Comments

  2. onlyforsellingthisPC

    1) The difference in overall size after 5 years between 15 gallon/30 gallon plantings will be negligible. Save your money, plant a second or third tree instead. Get your lines marked by 811 to avoid planting directly onto them.

    Spacing will be determined by your species choice.

    2) Same as above re spacing/size.
     
    Monterey would be good as a canopy/shade tree. Consider planting a southern mag as it provides a good amount of habitat space. Cultivars exist (I like ‘little gem’ for suburban yards) but availability will vary.

    3) Usual planting best practices for any containerized plant apply here. Don’t pull the tree out by the stem, check for circling/girdling roots, don’t plant on hot/dry days. 

    Whatever you plant, it will benefit from a properly sized hole, backfill with the soil you’ve excavated. I prefer to set down cardboard next to the hole for spoils.

    Mulch. Mulch. Mulch to an a depth of 1-2 inches. Don’t expect them to take off the first year as they’ll be getting established. 

    You’ll need to water more frequently during the first year. 5 gallon buckets with holes drilled in the bottom are a cost effective method.

     

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