La Cañada Tree Service Advises on the Best Trees for Zone 9

US Hardiness Zone 9 is made up of regions with mild winters and hot summers, where the average annual minimum temperature ranges from 20°F to 30°F. This zone includes parts of California, Texas, Florida, and the Gulf Coast, and offers an ideal climate for a variety of different trees. Here are some of the best Zone 9 trees recommended by a leading Californian  tree cutting service.

Top Trees for Planting in Zone 9: Recommendations from La Cañada Tree Service

Black Walnut

The Black Walnut tree is renowned for its high quality wood and delicious nuts. Growing up to 100 feet tall, this deciduous tree has a broad canopy that provides ample shade. Black Walnut trees prefer well drained, fertile soil and require full sun to thrive. However, be mindful of its allelopathic properties, meaning it releases chemicals into the soil that can inhibit the growth of certain plants nearby.

Red Maple

The Red Maple is a versatile and hardy tree known for its vibrant red foliage in the fall, which adds a splash of color to any garden. It can reach heights of 40 to 70 feet and adapts well to various soil types, though it prefers slightly acidic, moist soils. This tree is tolerant of both wet and dry conditions, making it a resilient choice for Zone 9. Red Maples provide shade and aesthetic appeal, making them popular for residential areas and parks.

Queen Palm
For a tropical touch, the Queen Palm is an excellent choice. This elegant palm tree, native to South America, can grow up to 50 feet tall. It features a slender trunk topped with a crown of arching, feathery fronds. Queen Palms thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. They are relatively low maintenance but require occasional pruning to remove dead fronds and fruit clusters.

Italian Cypress

Italian Cypress trees are known for their tall, slender form, often seen lining driveways or creating formal garden borders. Reaching heights of up to 60 feet, these evergreen trees have a distinctive column shape. They prefer full sun and well drained soils and are drought tolerant once established. Italian Cypress trees are excellent for creating vertical accents and privacy screens, offering a touch of Mediterranean elegance to Zone 9 landscapes.

Golden Raintree

The Golden Raintree is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 40 feet tall and is known for its showy yellow flowers that bloom in late summer. These flowers give way to attractive, papery seed pods that resemble Chinese lanterns. Golden Raintrees prefer full sun and can tolerate a range of soil conditions, including poor and dry soils. They are relatively low maintenance and can add a unique visual interest with their bright blooms and interesting seed pods.

If you would like professional help for the planting and maintaining of any of the abovementioned trees, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with La Cañada Tree Care, your leading tree cutting service. Feel free to contact a member of our friendly team and they will be eager to assist you in any way that they can. We look forward to hearing from you!

Your Local La Cañada Tree Service Explains How to Protect Plants from Heavy Rain

Heavy rain can be both a blessing and a curse for gardeners. While it provides necessary hydration, too much rainfall can lead to things like waterlogged soil, root rot, and other plant health issues. Protecting your plants from heavy rain involves several strategies, all of them achievable with professional help from a La Cañada Tree Service. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to help your plants survive heavy rain conditions.

Protecting Your Garden from Heavy Rain: Tips from La Cañada Tree Service
Improve Your Soil

The foundation of a healthy garden starts with good soil. Heavy clay soils tend to retain water, which can lead to waterlogged roots and plant stress. To combat this, improve your soil structure by incorporating organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure, or leaf mold. These materials enhance soil aeration and water infiltration, making it more capable of handling excess rain.

Improve Your Garden Drainage

Proper garden drainage is crucial in preventing water from accumulating around plant roots. Installing French drains or constructing raised beds can significantly improve drainage. French drains involve digging a trench, filling it with gravel or rock, and placing a pipe to redirect water away from garden beds. Raised beds, on the other hand, elevate plants above ground level, ensuring they are not sitting in waterlogged soil.

Raise Plants Above Sodden Soil

Expanding on raised beds, for gardens prone to heavy rain, raising plants above the ground can protect them from waterlogging conditions. Raised beds and containers are excellent solutions, allowing for better control over soil conditions. When building raised beds, ensure they are deep enough to accommodate root systems and filled with well-draining soil mix. Plant pot gardening offers flexibility, as pots can be moved to sheltered locations during heavy rain.

Pick Plants That Can Adapt to Wet Conditions

Selecting plants that naturally thrive in wet conditions can reduce the effects of heavy rain. Native plants or those adapted to your region’s climate are often more resilient. For wet areas, consider planting species such as ferns, hostas, or moisture loving perennials like astilbe and marsh marigold. These plants have adapted to handle waterlogged soils and can often thrive where others might fail.

Make A Positive From A Negative: Use The Water In Your Garden

Turning excess water into a garden asset involves creative thinking. Rain gardens, for example, are designed to capture and utilize rainwater runoff from roofs, driveways, or other surfaces. These gardens feature plants that can tolerate both wet and dry conditions, reducing the risk of flooding and erosion. Installing rain barrels is another effective way to collect and store rainwater, which can later be used for irrigation during dry periods.

If you are looking for a La Cañada tree service to help you with your own water defenses, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at La Cañada Tree Care. Feel free to contact a member of our team and they will be happy to answer any questions that you might have related to this topic and many more. We look forward to being able to help.

7 Plants Your Tree Trimming Service Should Attend to in June

There’s no getting away from it, pruning is a crucial gardening task that helps maintain plant health, shape, and flowering potential in your outdoor space! For certain plants, June is the perfect time to call in your tree trimming service to prune as it sets your trees up for optimal growth and recovery before the next season.

Plants That Need Tree Trimming In June

Serviceberry
Serviceberries are versatile, attractive shrubs or small trees known for their stunning spring flowers and edible berries. Pruning serviceberries in June, after they have finished flowering and fruiting, encourages better airflow and reduces the risk of disease. Focus on removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve the plant’s structure.

Viburnum
Viburnums are popular ornamental shrubs valued for their fragrant flowers and attractive foliage. June is an ideal time to prune viburnums as they have finished blooming by this time. Remove spent flowers, thin out crowded branches, and cut back any dead or diseased wood. This helps maintain the plant’s shape and encourages robust growth for the following season.

Clematis Montana
Clematis Montana is a vigorous, early flowering climber that benefits from pruning after its spring bloom. In June, prune to remove dead or weak stems, and cut back flowered stems to a pair of healthy buds. This keeps the plant in check, preventing it from becoming overly dense and promoting a flush of new growth that will produce next year’s flowers.

Weigela
Weigela, known for its trumpet shaped flowers, should be pruned in June after its spring bloom. Pruning at this time encourages a second, lighter bloom in late summer and maintains the shrub’s shape. Remove any dead or old wood, thin out crowded areas, and cut back shoots that have finished flowering to a strong bud or side shoot.

Lilacs
Lilacs are beloved for their fragrant spring blooms. Pruning lilacs in June, right after they finish flowering, helps promote more vigorous growth and better blooms for the next year. Remove spent flower heads, thin out old or weak stems, and cut back to healthy shoots. This encourages the development of new growth and prevents the plant from becoming too leggy.

Magnolias
Magnolias should be pruned carefully to avoid damaging their natural shape. For deciduous magnolias, June is an excellent time to prune after flowering. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches, and make sure to cut back any suckers or water sprouts. Avoid heavy pruning as magnolias do not respond well to drastic cuts.

Berberis
Berberis, known for its colorful foliage and small, attractive flowers, should be pruned in June to maintain its shape and encourage new growth. Remove any dead or damaged branches, and thin out the plant to improve air circulation. Berberis can be pruned quite heavily if needed but ensure that you maintain the desired shape and size for your garden space.

For all of your local tree trimming needs, look no further than La Cañada Tree Care. We are ready and waiting to assist you with any plant or tree related issues that you might be having in your garden and other outdoor areas on your property.