A few points I would like to make about this nifty article about Growing Money on Trees: I do not recommend growing cottonwoods or sycamores on any residential lot smaller than an acre. I would not recommend putting a cottonwood anywhere within 100 feet of any structure, power lines, street, or any other potential target. As far as sycamores go, I guess they're OK, but they become very disease-prone, and consequently very high-maintenance, as they mature. I do like the Mexican sycamore, however, but there are few to be found 'round these parts mature enough to know whether or not they belie my statements about their more common American cousins.
A good home economist should always consider the hidden costs of a seemingly simple solution, such as planting a rapidly growing tree to help cut down on cooling costs. When it comes to average-sized residential properties (less than 1 acre), the cottonwood tree's middle name is "liability". This is true for many fast-growing shade producers. This means the cost of future structural damage or worse should be factored into the money-saving calculations.
Better to plant a high-quality tree, preferably one of the white oak family of oaks, or a hickory or walnut if you can find one that will tolerate your area and your soil. Some of these grow quite rapidly thank you very much, particularly if the old rule is followed:
Put a $50 tree in a $500 hole. That's right: If your neighbors aren't laughing at you, saying, what are they doing putting that tiny tree in that wide hole, then you're wrong. Prepare an area 2-4 times the diameter of the root ball by cultivating and incorporating compost. This creates a favorable growing medium in which to encourage radial root establishment, and reduces the risk of a root-bound tree (in subsequent posts I will argue against the "tough love" planting approach espoused by most forestry programs. I will also address the common objections of students of the so-called soil-food-web to the concept of cultivating soil altogether).
I guess I have to see the studies showing that trees on the north side actually increase cooling bills.
An important note about John Teas (we have you in our thoughts, by the way, John)recommending that a tree be planted 12 feet away from a structure. That 12 feet is a minimum; farther would be ideal. Also, any tree you have that is 12 feet from a house should be considered a candidate for a lightning protection system.
Please feel free to leave a comment or send an email. If you're looking for a TCIA Accredited Houston Tree Service or Certified Arborist, call the company I've worked for since 2002, Bartlett Tree Experts, at 713-692-6371. This is my personal blog--it is not affiliated with Bartlett Tree Experts.
