Hi all. Please see the numbered photo below, which shows the front of my house, facing between north and north-west. That dead pine on the right, which died in a February cold snap (zone 7a) last year, needs a replacement. That rectangle under the window (shown by the red lines) is about 6 by 20 feet. I have ordered two grafted paw paws and two grafted Cornelian cherry trees (2 for cross-pollination). I am wondering which pair is the better candidate to be planted in the rectangle. Whichever tree I decide, I will plant one in place of the dead pine and the other in place of #3 in the photo or the useless shrub to its side. My main question is about the sun requirements of paw paw vs Cornelian cherry. That area gets no sun until about 1 pm, to about 4 -5 pm during growing season. When that cherry in front grows, there will be less sun in the back but I’m planning to keep it less than 7 ft tall and wide.
In terms of preference for the fruits, I slightly prefer paw paws but much prefer the yellow look of Cornelian cherry. They are so ornamental.
Also, note that there is that dead apricot place (#4) that is available, too. Spot #5 can host a tree as well, while still being at least 5 ft from everything (it may not look like that in the photo).
But when I imagine it, I think the symmetry of having two similar trees in a straight line on the sides of that window is going to look desirable (I have several other trees that need a spot anyway (medlar, jujube, pear, apricot, etc.)).
So, which one would you go with according to the sunlight situation? Paw paws or Cornelian cherry?
I’d go Pawpaws in 1 & 3 and Cornelian Cherries,4 & 5.They will grow to about a similar size,with the Cherry,maybe a little wider.
It could be a coin flip.
Welcome to the forum,by the way.
I agree with @Bradybb . That’s what seems to make sense since your project is an edible landscape.
Also, it looks like you have space for some strawberries under your cherry and the boarder of 1, 2 and 3. Mara Du Bois and Seascape are two great day neutral choices. Mara Du Bois tastes best during spring and fall and Seascape tastes best during the summer, in my opinion.
Welcome! My advice would be to rent a sod cutter and remove the lawn. If you’re trying to hand dig out all of that, it is daunting. In 20 minutes, you could have it all done and time for an iced tea, to boot! The sod just rolls up, ready to go in the compost pile. It would free up your placement options and allow you to get going with a groundcover, such as strawberries and allow you to place walking paths for harvesting. Make friends with an arborist who has access to more wood chips than they know what to do with!
Both are beautiful. Paw paws take their sweet time leafing out in the spring, and they are very pyramidal in shape. I personally would leave the area so close to the house for lower growing plants and easier access for maintenance and air circulation. Some low-growing aronia or serviceberries might work. (I grow Regent which range to 4-6 feet and can be pruned.) A Gerardi Mulberry would be another possibility and neither require full sun. Rhubarb is another lower plant. Just some quick thoughts…
