Trees not bothered by salt water?

Salt Cedar, also called tamarisk(sp?)

Salt cedar and salt bush do so well with salt they can be used to remove salt from the soil. I do not know how well they do in areas other than north western New Mexico.

Oh, there is also a commerical preparation called Ironite which might help the soil in your situation, but I believe that would come under the heading of Fighting Nature.

Madrona is a rather common tree in the Puget Sound, much less common elsewhere. It is known as Madrone in California, but I think that might be a slightly different variety. While it is considered a messy tree, that is because it has such a range of greenish white flowers, red berries, orange papery bark and deeply colored evergreen leaves, all of which must eventually drop to the ground.

As to your question, there are madronas growing directly on salt water sandspits and it is said, they won't grow unless within smelling distance of saltwater.

A very nice, moderately fast growing shade tree. Also nice for climbing and when dead, provides dense firewood, too.

In Scotland I was visiting one of the National Trust Castle (Crathes) and saw a small madrona getting pride of place in one of the lovely gardens. Quite nice to see an old friend from home.

I don't know how well madrona would withstand the freezing temps of Boston.

PS - If you are seriously concerned about your Japanese Maples and they represent a goodly investment, you might want to dig them up and move them quickly to higher ground, or even into the garage for the winter. It is a shame to lose them.

Hi both suggestions sound interesting and I will research them further.

Piffka -- The Japanese maples were bought at Home Depot for $18 each, because my mother badgered the manager for the price, for all the trees were unmarked and going to be thrown away.
I think it's too late to move them to another part of the yard, although I can suggest it...
We might have to abandon having this small rock garden near the seawall, although again, the idea was to provide some shade in that part of the yard.

skyline, common and sunburst honeylocusts are all salt tolerent (and these types are thornless).

Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor' - juniper
Pinus thunbergii - japanese black pine

An interesting site from Colorado of all places (I guess there's salt in their soil from way back when they were an inland ocean?)
[URL=High Tolerance - up to 8 mmhos(mS)]salt tolerant trees (and plants)[/URL]

what are you looking for? Shade providers, screens, aesthetic qualities....?

skyline, common and sunburst honeylocusts are all salt tolerent (and these types are thornless).

Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor' - juniper
Pinus thunbergii - japanese black pine

An interesting site from Colorado of all places (I guess there's salt in their soil from way back when they were an inland ocean?)


what are you looking for? Shade providers, screens, aesthetic qualities....?salt tolerant trees and plants

whoops... man I messed that up.

edithdoll ~ Chinese Maples grow very well here in FL. Oleander, too. (Not sure about the Oleander in northern cold, but the Maple would thrive.)

We definately can't swing oleander here... so sad.

That is sad.....beautiful trees.....they practically line every street in Cocoa Beach.

Here's an interesting tree:
seven sons tree

Hmmmm.....very pretty.

Interesting for sure.

Hmm, great suggestions.
Thanks!

GARDENING
The Beach Plum grows on the sand, along with
Rosa Rugusa,which come in all different sizes and colors.
Even though I've left the beach, I'm going to plant some Rosa Rugosa
this year.
Both are very cold-hardy and both grow in sand, with salt-spray.
As far as I know, it's the only tree.

I love both of those plants too jeanbean - they're amazing.

But neither are trees.

GARDENING
I knew that the rugusas were not,
but I surprised at the Plum Tree.
It sure looks like a tree or is just a big shrub?
Can you give me a link?

Hmmmm, now I'm doubting my own recollection.... I'll try to find a link.

Beach Plum

Looks like a shrub that can be pruned up into a small tree form.

Picea sitchensis (Sitka Spruce)
A fast-growing, giant evergreen, reaching 250'; and 6' in diameter, the Sitka spruce favors both freshwater and saltwater wetland areas where it often dominates. It is found in a limited range along the Pacific coast from central Alaska to northern California and is very common in southern Alaska and northern British Columbia. It has found great popularity in Britain, where it has been introduced.

Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa Pine, Yellow Pine)
A magnificent, three-needle yellow pine, the Ponderosa pine grows rapidly, reaching 200'; with widths of 30'; The deep green needles are 6"- 10"; Large, brown bristly cones grow to 4"; often in pairs, and persist on the tree for a long time. Found in USDA zones 5 - 10, this tree grows from British Columbia to southern California, east to North Dakota and southeast to Texas. Ponderosa pine likes plenty of room and deep, light, porous soil as it develops a long taproot. These trees are highly drought-resistant and can grow in full sun, where they exude a glorious vanilla scent! They are excellent specimens for coastal planting, being very tolerant of salt spray.

Pinus contorta, var. contorta (Shore Pine)
This fast growing, two-needle yellow pine is closely related to Lodgepole pine. Native to the west coast, including the San Juan Islands and the Oregon coast, Shore pine is hardy in USDA zones 5 -10. Being highly tolerant of poor soils and saline conditions, it occurs in the wild on sandy bluffs along the seashore and also in peat bogs at higher elevations, where it becomes a natural bonsai. The short, dark green needles are 1-2½" long and curve slightly while the cones are ¾ - 2"; Usually a small tree, it can reach heights of 50' with intricate branching forms. It is fantastic in a small garden or as a hedge. A quick way to establish a native garden framework from bare ground is to plant a variety of small to large Shore pines.

Salix hookeriana (Hooker's Willow)
A stout, stiffly branched shrub or small tree, to 20 ft, 4" showy catkins. Good near salt water. In Spring, large catkins burst into halo of yellow anthers.