Three Trees To Plant In Dry, Sandy Soil
Posted on: 20 August 2018
Many species of trees are rather finicky. They like moist, but well-drained soil, and they won't tolerate their roots remaining dry for too long. As such, it can be difficult to find a tree to plant if your yard is dry and sandy. However, there are a few types of trees that can thrive under such conditions. Here are three of them.
Amur Maple
The amur maple is a smaller maple tree than most varieties. It only grows to about 15 feet tall, so you can plant it in a garden bed or at the corner of your home. Hardy in most temperate climates, the amur maple is not picky about soil type and will do well in sandy soil as long as there is not too long of a drought. Water it when rain is not expected for a few weeks, and you should be fine.
Amur maple trees turn a brilliant red in the fall. They are known for their winged seeds, which some call "whirlybirds." Their gray, fissured bark is also distinct.
Eastern Redbud
If you are looking for a flowering tree, consider planting an eastern redbud. This tree grows to about 25 feet tall, and it is named for its rosy pink-red flowers. The tree's round shape makes it great for adding shade to a space, and eastern redbuds are faster growers, so you can enjoy a moderately sized tree before too long. As an added bonus, the trees tend to attract songbirds such as chickadees, which feed on the trees' seeds.
Eastern redbuds will grow well in sandy soil and can tolerate periods of drought, but they are rather picky about sunlight. Make sure the site where you plant the tree gets four or more hours of direct sun each day.
European Beech
If you're looking for a large shade tree to plant in dry, sandy soil, then the European beech may be a good choice. This tree reaches about 50 feet in height at maturity and has a broad, shade-producing crown at about 45 feet wide. Beech trees turn a gorgeous rust color in the fall, and they attract chipmunks and squirrels, which eat the beechnuts. These trees don't do well in extreme heat, but they do need about 6 hours of sun each day to thrive.
To learn more about these and other tree varieties that tolerate dry soil, talk to an arborist in your area.
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