It’s been over 77 years since I lost an uncle in Europe during World War II, but his memory is strong within our family. Stories live on about the last time the family saw him before he headed off to that fateful day and they are filled with details of his bravery. Because of these memories, I hope to travel and see his gravesite someday.
At the Lain house, we like to remind ourselves of those who have made definite differences in our lives. In addition to memorials for people, we especially love to plant a tree in memory of the animals in our lives, especially our dogs. You will know the canine memorial tree in our yard by the collars hanging from its branches!
Remembering family members is essential, and planting a memorial tree is the perfect token of remembrance. No matter which month commemorates that special someone, Watters is featuring the perfect trees for memorials. Each is the variety that looks its best in a specific remembrance month.
For example, the tree for a June memorial is the Golden Locust and proven as a hardy street and shade trees, being fast-growing, heat and drought tolerant and well-suited for the demands of mountain landscapes.
Here are the trees chosen for each month. (See all 12 on Watters Pinterest Board.)
January – Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) A resilient evergreen pine to poor soils and alkaline conditions. It is remarkably tolerant of hot and cold mountain wind and is a crucial component in shelterbelts and windbreaks. Adapts well to dry conditions of Arizona, both in semidesert and mountain foothill regions where soils are thin and poor. Makes a very graceful single specimen for front yards, parks or expansive estate-sized landscapes.
February – Aspen (Populus tremuloides) A superior tree for cold Northern Arizona regions. It is most attractive in groves, and as components in windrows and shelterbelts. It will stand alone as a columnar tree in the suburban environment. The tall narrow form is ideal for filling gaps between tall buildings. Somewhat adapted for street and boulevard planting. An excellent foreground tree against the dark background of evergreen conifers. Ease of cultivation is suited to naturalistic plantings in prairies or open space habitat.
March – Thunder Cloud Purple Plum (Prunus cerasifera) Delivers a storm of color. In spring, it bursts with a surge of pink blossoms, reminiscent of a cherry tree in full bloom. As the flowers fade, royal purple leaves emerge as a shade tree for the summer. The purple leaves remain in contrast against the jewel-box yellows and reds of other autumn leaves. It is very hardy and thrives anywhere, but the best purple leaf color is had in full sun.
April – Crabapple (Malus) An outstanding flowering tree with an upright form that becomes rounded with age. Reddish new foliage matures to dark green. Lovely deep pink flowers produce persistent, small, dark red-purple fruit. A colorful accent for smaller landscapes.
May – Purple Robe Locust (Robinia) grows just about anywhere you plant it. A fast-growing tree that thrives in tough, barren, even sandy soils. You can count on hundreds of purple wisteria flower to cover this tree every Mothers Day holiday, filling the yards with a heavenly scent that is bound to bring back memories.
June – Golden Locust (Gleditsia) is proven as hardy street and shade trees, being fast-growing, heat and drought tolerant and well-suited for the demands of mountain landscapes. Trees grow with an open, spreading canopy and have attractive, elegant, somewhat weeping foliage. The Sunburst variety grows to a thornless tree, a versatile small to medium-size and is distinctive for its color – bright yellow shoots turning later to yellow-green and yellow autumn colors.
July – Mountain Magnolia ( Magnolia grandiflora) Lustrous, leathery foliage is rich, dark green above and cinnamon brown underneath. Large, 5-6″ inch creamy white flowers are exotically fragrant. A hardier magnolia that transplants well and does not lose as many leaves as other varieties, and exhibits better evergreen cold tolerance.
August – Birch (Betula utilis) This tree is far superior in heat and drought tolerance to Aspen. Densely pyramidal form with glossy green leaves that fade to clear yellow in autumn. Planted as a large tree as focal point that shades its surroundings. Will make an excellent narrow front yard tree for limited spaces. It’s a natural around water gardens and dry streams. Use in mixed forest groves to add interest with white bark.
September – Gingko (Ginkgo biloba) Leaves on the Gingko are an exciting fan shape that flutters in the slightest breeze. Unique fan-shaped green foliage turns brilliant golden yellow in fall. Gingko Trees have been known to live 1,000+ years, and have grown in gardens since the dinosaurs.
October – Blazing Red Maple (Acer x freemanii) show off in brilliant, long-lasting, red fall foliage. This upright form has the perfect branch habit and super fast growing. An excellent lawn, park or street tree that easily takes mountain wind. The fastest growing of the red maples.
November – Aristocrat Pear (Pyrus calleryana) Vigorous and upright with a dominant central trunk excellent for lining streets or drives or as a specimen for smaller spaces. Adapts to a wide range of soils, including mountain heavy clays. Bridal white flowers in spring are followed by disease-resistant glossy green leaves with a unique wavy edge. The last tree that turns red in autumn.
December – Fat Albert Spruce (Picea pungens) A superb evergreen conifer with rich blue needles on a densely branched, naturally pyramidal form. An outstanding landscape specimen. A very slow grower that will become quite large over time, in ideal conditions. A fantastic choice for use as a living Christmas tree. QCBN
Ken Lain, the mountain gardener, can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or FB.com/WattersGardenCenter