City plans ahead for spring planting

Wickliffe will be replacing tree lawn trees on Homewood Drive with versions of a crabapple tree and a pear tree as a result of a new water main that is being installed as part of the road renovation project.

The city has been relocating water lines in the tree lawn areas so in the event of a future water main break, it does not damage the roadway, according to Service Director Ron Strauser.

“The road project on Homewood Drive will cover the cost of tree replacement,” Strauser said. “The Public Works Director and City Engineer will be working to replace those trees on Homewood Drive along with the homeowners to see if they would like their tree replaced.”

He said the city is aware of the benefits of tree replacement and has chosen the Malus Sugar Tyme crabapple and Pyrus Jack pear trees at the recommendations of several Lake County nurseries.

Growing to no more that 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide, the crabapple and pear trees have a fibrous root system making them good for small areas like tree lawns, according to Marie McConnell, Plant Science Technology professor at Cuyahoga Community College’s Eastern campus and sales representative at Lake County Nursery.

“My uncle, Jim Zampini, brought the Sugar Tyme and Pyrus Jack into the marketplace in Northeast Ohio,” McConnell said. “The trees work well with municipalities because they won’t disrupt overhead wires or sidewalks.”

Repeatedly ranked as one of the top 10 malus trees for its disease resistance and known as a consistently superior bloomer, the Sugar Tyme has single, white, fragrant flowers emerging from pink buds in mid-May lasting two weeks, according to a press release from the Zampini family business UpShoot, LLC in 2012.

“Their yellow fall foliage lasts from October to November,” McConnell said, “and red berries give color throughout the winter months and attract birds.”

The Pyrus Jack pear tree is part of The Kiddie Series developed to grow 15 feet

tall, half the size of its species and are the only ornamental pears that comfortably fit under utility lines. The compact branching structure makes it appear to have been trimmed and does not need to be pruned, according to the press release.

Hardy to USDA Zone 4, the dwarf pear tree blooms spring flowers and lush summer foliage to even the smallest tree areas.

“The small, ornamental fruits go well into winter and also attract birds,” McConnell said.

She explained the best time to plant them is in the spring or fall and depending on the weather.

“It’s best to dig when dormant, before the tree flowers and there are no swollen

buds,” she said.

The city plans to move forward with the planting project weather permitting.

SUBMITTED The long-lasting red fruit on the Sugar Tyme crabapple tree provides food for birds into early spring shown here at Klyn Nurseries, Inc. in Perry, Ohio

SUBMITTED The Sugar Tyme crabapple has single, white, fragrant flowers emerging from pink buds in mid-May lasting two weeks

SUBMITTED A fully-grown, Sugar Tyme crabapple is no more than 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide.

SUBMITTED The Pyrus Jack pear tree is part of The Kiddie Series with a compact branching structure making it work well on tree lawns