A Descriptive List of 140 Trees and Large Shrubs That Will Not Exceed an Ultimate Height of 35 Ft
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A DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF 140 TREES AND LARGE SHRUBS THAT WILL NOT EXCEED AN ULTIMATE HEIGHT OF 35 FT. PUBLISHED BY THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER THE WEST VANCOUVER TREE BOOK A DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF 140 TREES AND LARGE SHRUBS THAT WILL NOT EXCEED AN ULTIMATE HEIGHT OF 35 FT PUBLISHED BY THE CORPORATION OF THE DISTRICT OF WEST VANCOUVER THE WEST VANCOUVER TREE BOOK West Vancouver's Tree Book is not a standard manual on how to grow trees and large shrubs. It is unique in that the catalyst was the concern of many residents over the abundance of view and light blocking trees in the community. The book's primary objective is to present homeowners of West Vancouver and landscape specialists and nursery personnel with a list of trees and large shrubs that will add beauty to any garden yet not infringe on neighbours' marine views and sunlight. Heinz Berger, Manager, Parks Department, The Corporation of the District of West Vancouver Written and line drawings by: Jay Lazzarin, Parks Department Editorial assistance: Louise Spratley Clive Justice & Christine Sharman, Justice, Webb & Vincent Landscape Architects Ltd. � The Corporation of the Dis trict of West Vancouver, 1980 Copyright Reserved The Corporati on of the District of West Vancouver West Vancouver, British Columbia III THE CONTROVERSY West Vancouver is a seaside communit y. Homes are sited in a narrow, 12 mile length along the mountain slopes, enjoying dramatic marine views. It is also a community with abundant tree coverage. Native trees grow wild along road allowances and lanes, and residents plant trees to match the rural, parklike character of their municipality. There are few cement sidewalks, and as a consequence, boulevards are free to nourish native firs, cedars, hemlocks, alder and cot tonwood. All trees that grow quickly. Trees and marine views are now in conflict. View-blocking trees, whether in lanes, on municipal land, in parks or private gardens, are the centre of a tree controversy. Council has set this policy on cutting trees on boulevards or road allowances : If there is a potential hazard, trees are cut down by the municipality on complaint if cost is approved by the municipality or the complainant meets the cost. View blocking trees are cut down at residents' request if they meet the cost and neighbours do not object. IV Trees in Altamont Park block most of the marine view from this home at 2947 Marine Drive, seen in these photographs taken from the deck looking south and south west. Municipal policy is to encourage residents in neighbourhoods to discuss their view-blocking problem and meet with municipal staff in an effort to solve it. Some trees in smaller parks can be thinned or removed as long as it does not change the character of the park. Class I parks, such as Lighthouse, Woodward, Nelson Canyon, are outside this policy and trees would not be touched. Residents must bear the cost of tree removal to improve the view. Removal of dangerous trees from municipal land is a municipal cost. v CYPRESS PARK WEST VANCOUVER'S HEAVILY TREED LANDSCAPE PROVIDES A PARK SETTING FOR HOMES .. FISHERMAN'S COVE VI AMBLE SIDE BUT CREATES A NEIGHBOURHOOD CONTROVERSY WHEN TALL TREES BLOCK MARINE VIEWS. OWNER OF THE PROPERTY BELOW HAS CUT 17 TREES FROM THE 1 ACRE SITE TO OPEN UP THE VIEW. CYPRESS PARK VII PURPOSE OF THE TREE BOOK The purpose of this tree book is two-fold : a list and description of 140 of the best trees and large shrub s that will not reach an ultimate height of more than 35 feet, and a short list of fast growing trees to avoid - trees that will reach majestic heights in a short span of time. New homeowners, anxious to have maximum landscaping results in minimum time, will often ask garden nursery staff for "something that will grow quickly'' . They will oblige (fast growing stock is the easiest to propagate) and the homeown er finds trees are towering over his house in a few years and irate neighbours at his door. Homeowners are asked to assess their gardens, find out from the lists what trees will cause view-blocking problems in a few years and set up a replacement plan of better , and often, more attractive trees and shrubs. VIII C 0 N T E N T S How To Use This Book 2 Description of Terms 3 Design 4 Tree Selection Guide 5 Illustrations And Text 18 Common Trees Not To Plant 68 Index Of Common Names 69 References 74 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK Trees and shrubs are listed alphabetically by their Latin names in the description section and in the Common and Latin name index. The 140 trees and shrubs are further grouped in categories for special effects and special cultural conditions. Care must be taken to select plant species suitable to the microclimate. West Vancouver's climate can best be described as varied. The community is sheltered on the north from artie winds, by the Hollyburn Ridge, and still further protected from the Squamish winds by the more lofty Black Mountain. Areas in Horseshoe Bay, Whytecliff and Gleneagles are still susceptible to the Squamish winds, making it necessary to protect less hardy, newly planted trees and shrubs from dessicating and physical effects of the wind. Generally, the annual precipitation is heavier the farther east one -travels in the community. Cedardale (190 cm/75"), for example, will receive- 50% more pr ecipitation than Gleneagles (126 cm/50"). Precipitation also increases proportionately with altitude. Glenmore receives the greatest annual precipitation of all neighbourhoods, close to 100" per year. So we see native drybelt vegetation, such as Arbutus, growing well in Gleneagles, while Vine Maple, typical of wetbelt vegetation, flourishes in Cedardale and Glenmore. 2 ...... DESCRIPTION OF TERMS Name Each tree and shrub has two names, one the common name used in everyday speech, such as Vine Maple or English Holly, and its Latin scientific name, Height Heights are given for the first ten years, and the ultimate height achieved under average conditions. Exposure, annual rainfall, quality of soil are all factors that control height and rate of growth. In the growth scale, the term "rapid" is used to describe a growth rate greater than 1.5 feet per year; "moderate", 1 to 1.5 feet; and "slow", less than one foot per year. Time of Bloom The date when the tree is likely to flower can vary from place to place and year to year, depending on local conditions., Dates given are an average. Drawings The simple line drawings indicate the shape of the mature tree. 3 DESIGN It is not the purpose of this book to dictate design criteria, but it will be helpful to keep the following ideas in mind when landscaping a garden: l ) All trees near traffic areas with a spreading or horizontal habit should be purchased on a six foot or higher standard. This means a six foot clearance between ground level and the lowest branch. 2) Where possible, plant trees in a bed with other trees, shrubs, flowers and groundcover plants. Avoid planting in lawn areas. 3) Select trees that will not naturally outgrow their location. Even trees and treelike shrubs selected as hedges need not require severe clipping with the correct choice of material. Avoid unnecessary pruning. 4) Mix evergreen and deciduous trees for seasonal variety and change. Flowering trees are dramatic against a background of green conifers Variegated or yellow forms of conifers will brighten up dark areas or structures, or provide a focal point when planted with a group of dark green conifers. 5) Use multi-stemmed trees rather than single stemmed where a more natural, interesting or sculptural effect is desired. 6) Select smaller trees close to buildings. The larger spreading deciduous trees will have their natural growth habits disrupted, as well as clogging gutters with their leaves, in these areas. 4 TREE SELECTION GUIDE FOR WEST VANCOUVER Page e FULL SUN 1 MODERATELY DRY CONDITIONS 6 e POORLY DRAINED SOILS 6 e SEASIDE PLANTING 6 e SHADED LOCATIONS 7 e SUITABLE FOR SHALLOW SOILS 7 e FAST GROWING TREES 8 e SLOW GROWING TREES 8 e TREES OF DIFFERENT HEIGHTS 9 Less than 3M (101) 3-6M (101-20') 6-9M (20'-301) e SEASONAL EFFECT 11 Ornamental Flowers Showy Fruits Autumn Colour e TREES WITH DIFFERENT FORMS • 14 Columnar Weeping Pyramidal Horizontal Branching Round or Round Head Vase-Shaped e HEDGES 15 e SCREEN AND WINDBREAKS 16 Deciduous Broad-leaved Evergreens and Conifers e SHADE TREES • 17 e TREES THAT CAST LIGHT SHADE 17 5 e FULL SUN, MODERATELY DRY CONDITIONS Page Acer ginnala (Amur maple) 19 Acer negundo aurea - variegatum (Goldedge Box Elder) 21 Aralia elata (Japanese Angelica Tree) 24 Arbutus menziesii (Native Arbutus) 24 Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree) 25 Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) 27 Cercis siliquastrum (Judas Tree) • 27 Chamaecyparis obtusa varieties (Hinoki False Cypress) • 28 Cotinus coggygria (Smokebush) 31 Cotoneaster cornubius (Cornubia Cotoneaster) • 31 Cotoneaster salicifolia floccosa (Willowleaf Cotoneaster) 32 Elaeagnus angustifolia (Russian Olive) • 33 Ficus carica (Common Fig) 35 Hippophae rhamnoides (Common Sea-Buckthorn) 37 Juniperus vars. (Juniper) 38-9 Pinus cembra (Swiss Stone Pine) 49 Pinus contorta (Shore Pine) 49 e POORLY DRAINED SOILS Amelanchier canadensis (Shadblow or Service Berry) • 23 Enkianthus campanulatus (Redvein Enkianthus) • 33 Hippophae rhamnoides (Common Sea-Buckthorn) 37 Ilex species (Holly) • 37-8 Malus varieties (Flowering Crabapple) 41-5 Nyssa sylvatica (Sour Gum or Tupelo) 46 Thuja occidentalis vars. (Cedar vars.) • 65 Phyllostachys aurea (Golden Stem Bamboo) 48 Phyllostachys nigra (Black Stem Bamboo) 48 e SEASIDE PLANTING Amelanchier canadensis (Shadblow or Service Berry) 23 Arbutus menziesii (Native Arbutus) 24 Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree) 25 Chamaecyparis pisifera vars.