Hello Y'all,
TL;DR – Invasive Bradfords removed/wanting native pollinator friendly full sun tolerant Tennessee trees in their place.
Over the weekend I finally removed the four bradford pear trees from my front yard that the previous owner planted (I wish I took a before and after picture, but it did not even cross my mind). I am looking to replace those with some native pollinator friendly Tennessee species, flowering preferably, but that doesn't really matter as I'm going to amp up my whole yard this year with flowers. I originally wanted to do Eastern Redbuds and Flowering Dogwoods, but the more I read into them, it seems as though they will not be able to handle the full (7+) hour sun my front yard gets. I do not want any large trees like the White or Red oaks that make up my backyard. I'd say the total working area is over a quarter acre guessing. I saw Serviceberries might be a good option, but no where has them in stock. I am open to any suggestions! Thanks in advance.
-Austin
by SirFaulkinator
8 Comments
I’m east of you in upstate SC, and there are both dogwoods and redbuds in full sun here that do just fine. You might need to water them the first year or two if it gets too dry, but that’s it.
Do I see a ton of english ivy on the trees in the background? Hard to see with other things leafing out.
Sorry, didn’t mean to go off the cuff there. Redbud would do fine. Serviceberry or Prunus americana – American Plum wouldnt be a bad choice, but both on the smaller side.
there are native hawthorn that do well in full sun. sourwood might be able to handle full sun. americam yellowwood can take full sun.
Redbuds can totally handle full sun. Just water them through the summer every day or two if a drought starts. Dogwoods can survive as well, but it’d be better to plant them in late autumn when the temperatures dip so they can get established. If you plant them before you will need to water them also, with decent regularity.
Have you looked into Fringetrees? They’re small/medium and becoming more popular as specimen trees. You may be within the range of Chokecherries (prunus virginiana) which are similar to a Black Cherry but smaller.
I’m not sure what your size limit is, but Yellowwoods are absolutely beautiful and make a great specimen tree if you can find them.
What about American Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus)?
These grow the same height as redbuds and flowering dogwoods that you mentioned, but they can live in full sun. Not only that, but they become a blanket of white flowers in spring. If you have both a female and male tree, then they’ll make blue/purple olive-like fruit that’s edible, which birds love.
I had one doing completely fine in full sun exposed throughout the afternoon, until someone was over zealous with a lawn mower.
Have you checked native / local nurseries for serviceberry? They are pretty easy to find in WNC at least. Depending where you are in East Tennessee it’s not a bad drive. If you want specific nurseries I can point you to some.
Smoketree may be native there or nearly native
Elderberry
Carolina silverbell
American hazelnut
If I had that kind of direct sun and soil, I’d be looking at fruit trees! You said you didnt want anything large – there are some varieties of cherries specifically that are smaller. I just grabbed one of these yesterday (I’m in Piedmont NC, similar ish zone and soil): [https://www.gurneys.com/products/carmine_jewel_dwarf_cherry?_pos=3&_fid=5766ab013&_ss=c&variant=51622030803316](https://www.gurneys.com/products/carmine_jewel_dwarf_cherry?_pos=3&_fid=5766ab013&_ss=c&variant=51622030803316)