Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Friday - May 02, 2008
From: Avon by the Sea, NJ
Region: Northeast
Topic: Trees
Title: Tree for New Jersey shore
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
I'm looking for a small tree (max. 15 ft. with small spread) that will tolerate salt spray, wind, and full sun at the NJ shore. There is no protection in this location.ANSWER:
This proved to be a little tricky. We went to our Recommended Species section for New Jersey, and searched on tree and full sun. There were several trees, but they all got really tall, well beyond the 15 foot height you were looking for. And we really couldn't find anything that indicated how they would take salt spray. So, we went back to Recommended Species and searched on shrubs, many of which can easily get up to your 15 ft. maximum. Since shrubs are usually denser and lower, they might very well withstand the wind and salt spray better than taller, thinner trees. We consulted the USDA Plants Profiles and found that all four of the plants we selected are found naturally in Monmouth County. We do feel, however, that our answers are probably inadequate for your needs. We suggest you get more local advice and possible plant selections from the Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension of Monmouth County. They are likely to have dealt with this problem before, and can make more informed suggestions. The website has phone numbers, directions to their office, e-mail address, etc.
TREES
Betula populifolia (gray birch)
Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar)
SHRUBS
Rhus copallinum (winged sumac)
Viburnum lentago (nannyberry) - Images
More Trees Questions
Growth in oak tree in San Antonio
April 05, 2011 - We have a very large gorgeous oak tree in our backyard here in San Antonio, Texas. I noticed a thickness high up in the tree. Thinking it was a nest of some sort, I used binoculars and saw a parasiti...
view the full question and answer
Washingtonia palms need to be skirted?
August 31, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I have five Washingtonia palms on my property that have never been skirted and look rather shabby. The interesting thing is that they have thrived (20-30 ft) here to begin with...
view the full question and answer
Problems with Texas Mountain Laurel in Dallas
May 04, 2010 - I have a Texas Mountain Laurel that is about 3 years old. When I bought it 2 summers ago, it was about a foot high. Now it is over 6 feet. It seems to have grown so fast that the branches can't ke...
view the full question and answer
Mountain laurel with new leaves or new seed pods
May 11, 2008 - Each spring, my Texas Mountain Laurel seems to put new leaves only on selected branches (actually trunks), and put on seed pods on other trunks. It seems to be mutually exclusive: trunks with new seed...
view the full question and answer
Installing limestone walkway around trees from Pflugerville TX
June 28, 2012 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants:I wish to install a limestone walkway in my front yard, however, there are some roots(~ 1.25 inch) in the designated area. Will this hurt or kill the tree if I cut these away? T...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
