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We recently had to cut several Leyland Cypress trees down as they were 20+ years old. Help - what to plant?
These Cypress trees had apparently lived out their life. They were 70 feet and a nice "cover" for the fence line. We don't necessarily need more evergreens, but want something that we can plant in their place that will display great Fall colors. We live in the foothills of northern California (Auburn). The new trees need not be as tall. Any recommendations? Thanks!
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My first thoughts were Leucadendron argenteum, silver tree--a drought-tolerant South African native, really stunning long silver leaves, fast-growing, very slender. Or Fremontodendron californicum--California native, super-fast, maple-like leaves, no summer water, eye-catching yellow flowers, easily pruned to fit your space. Only thing is I'm not sure how much shade either of those can tolerate.
Thuja "Green Giant" also grows REALLY fast (up to 3ft/year), but unlike the Fremontodendron it's long-lived and takes a little shade. Can get very tall (50ft or more?) and I don't think it would be very happy in a drought. I also hear it tends to brown a little in winter, although it's evergreen.
Italian cypress (cupressus sempervirens) will take a little shade and some drought, and it's very narrow and columnar (only 3-5ft wide but up to 40ft tall). Might not be the fastest grower, though, I don't have any information about that.
Deodar cedars (cedrus deodara) will take considerable drought, a little shade and they grow relatively quickly, but they may eventually hit 60-80ft. They usually require about a 30ft. circle, but if you cut back the candles in the spring you can keep them narrower.
There are probably a lot of eucalyptus that fit your requirements as well. They have a bad reputation because of the invasive eucalyptus globulus, but there are many non-invasive ones that grow fast, tolerate drought and might tolerate some shade. I don't know too much about them, though.
Thuja "Green Giant" also grows REALLY fast (up to 3ft/year), but unlike the Fremontodendron it's long-lived and takes a little shade. Can get very tall (50ft or more?) and I don't think it would be very happy in a drought. I also hear it tends to brown a little in winter, although it's evergreen.
Italian cypress (cupressus sempervirens) will take a little shade and some drought, and it's very narrow and columnar (only 3-5ft wide but up to 40ft tall). Might not be the fastest grower, though, I don't have any information about that.
Deodar cedars (cedrus deodara) will take considerable drought, a little shade and they grow relatively quickly, but they may eventually hit 60-80ft. They usually require about a 30ft. circle, but if you cut back the candles in the spring you can keep them narrower.
There are probably a lot of eucalyptus that fit your requirements as well. They have a bad reputation because of the invasive eucalyptus globulus, but there are many non-invasive ones that grow fast, tolerate drought and might tolerate some shade. I don't know too much about them, though.
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Thanks for the insightful reply and great info.
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