I've just started looking around for infomation about trees and growing zones. There are a few I'm intersted in finding out more about, but cant seem to find the infomation I'm looking for *prob because I'm not in the right gowing zone*.Anyway, does anyone have a good site in general about trees?I'm looking for information about Ebony Trees and growing them, I'm also looking for willow tree infomation, japanese maple infomation, and general tree care/planting.Thanks
Check out the Better Homes and Garden site, it has a plant selector etc and will tell you what you need to know. It will also select plants based on the site (eg shade etc) and temperatures for you and you can check them out individually. BBC gardening in England also has a site with a plant selector. Don't be put out about the country. Most plants come from all over the world and grow where the temperatures and rainfall are similar to home. I have a garden of exotics and I am in Australia. The Brits would die if they knew what I was growing, many trees etc adapt very well. Watch for how much sun a plant needs, for example maples generally like filtered or morning sun only. Also check if your soil is acid or alkaline. The local garden shop can tell you or buy a cheap soil test kit. Some plants will not tolerate the wrong soil eg azaleas, etc. Google the USA Plant Hardiness Zones if you are in the US and that should solve your zone problems. Expect to have some failures and although it is tempting don't go for to an extreme temperature range - you will never grow tropicals where there is heavy frost. Good hunting, not hard once you get into it.
The best trees for any area are the ones that grow there naturally. Willows are easy to grow in wet areas but they are short lived and easily broken by ice and wind. Japanese maples need the right conditions of light and moisture and are not necessarily long-lived. Check out the eastern redbud, beautiful flowers in the spring, easy to grow.
It would be more possible to help you if you said where you lived!
Your best bet is to contact your local county extension office if you live in the US. What trees that grow well in your area depend on where you live and the elevation you live in. County extension offices are funded by state universities and are manned by volunteer trained in gardening or horticulture. Their services are free. Just google your county and then add extension office. Most have awesome websites, too, and free downloads of useful publications.
