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White fringe tree
The low profile and showy floral display of the white fringe tree makes it a desirable
choice for limited spaces.
Photo by S. Cory Tanner
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Eastern red cedar
Eastern red cedars create excellent screens and provide food and shelter for wildlife.
Photo by S. Cory Tanner
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Loropetalum evergreen
Vibrant flowers dress up the loropetalum evergreen in early spring.
Photo by S. Cory Tanner
Selecting a tree for your landscape is a big decision, since you’ll live with the results for a long time. Just look at how many oaks and maples—trees that grow 50 to 70 feet tall—are planted thoughtlessly under power lines.
Fortunately, there is a tree for almost any site. Four of my favorite medium- to small-sized trees will fit into most landscapes and are underused in South Carolina. I call them “can’t-miss trees,” based on their appearance, adaptability, drought tolerance, and resistance to pests, diseases and other problems.
Medium trees (25 to 50 feet tall at maturity) will fit in most urban landscapes but still need some room to grow.
Chinese pistache is a shade tree that grows 30 to 35 feet tall and about the same in spread. It provides dappled shade, perfect over a bench with a glass of sweet tea. In fall, shades of yellow, orange and red often develop at the same time; its fallen leaves are fragile and easy to clean up. This tree has no serious pests and is extremely drought tolerant. Young trees can be a bit awkward looking, but a mature pistache is worth the wait.
Eastern red cedar is a native, evergreen conifer that thrives in our state. It tolerates poor soil but needs good drainage. Red cedars are excellent trees for wildlife, providing food and shelter for birds and other animals. These trees will ultimately reach above 50 feet tall, but it takes many years since their growth slows substantially the older they get.
Cedars make excellent screens and tall hedges and should be considered a substitute for Leyland cypress, because they have far fewer problems.
Small trees (less than 25 feet tall at maturity) are good for limited spaces like courtyards and under power lines.
Two types of fringe trees I love are the white fringe tree, a S.C. native also known as grancy (sometimes granddaddy) graybeard, and the Chinese fringe tree. Both are beautiful, deciduous trees, but without a doubt these trees are grown for their outstanding spring flower display. From May to June, both produce large, wispy clusters of white flowers with thin, strap-shaped petals. The overall effect gives these trees a look of being shrouded within a cloud or mist. When the sun hits the flowers it can seem as if the tree is glowing.
Chinese fringe tree will grow a little larger than the native, close to 25 feet tall in maturity, and somewhat broader in outline. Use these as specimens, focal points in flower borders and just about anywhere you would plant a dogwood or cherry.
Loropetalums are evergreens usually pruned into shrubs. Unless you plant the dwarf forms that are intended to be shrubs, save yourself the trouble of routine shearing and let loropetalum become an attractive small tree. Consider it an evergreen alternative to crape myrtle for the tight spaces under power lines and near buildings.
Practically pest free, loropetalum will tolerate sun or shade. The purple-leafed varieties are the most common, with pink flowers in the early spring. Zhuzhou fuchsia is one of the best cultivars to grow into a small tree.
S. CORY TANNER is an area horticulture agent and Master Gardener coordinator for Clemson Extension based in Greenville County. Contact him at shannt@clemson.edu.