43. AI Guided Tree Selection
Small trees with big impact under powerlines.
What little trees have dramatic visual impact? I am adding street trees along the 300 feet at the front of my house. I am limited in size since there are powerlines overhead. I have already selected Magnolias, Redbuds, Dogwood, and Crape Myrtles. I want to find one more tree variety to include in the line up. What should it be?
ChatGPT - Q1
Let’s ask AI. What would AI do? I asked what trees are small enough to fit under power lines, and provide dramatic visual impact? Here is the response:
Dogwood Trees (Cornus spp.): Dogwoods are known for their beautiful spring flowers and vibrant fall foliage. They typically stay small and can be suitable for planting under power lines.
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): Japanese maples come in various sizes, and there are compact varieties that won't grow too tall. They offer stunning foliage in different colors.
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.): Crape myrtles are small to medium-sized trees with colorful flowers in summer. They are well-suited for planting under power lines.
Flowering Cherry Trees (Prunus spp.): Some flowering cherry trees are smaller in size and can add a burst of color in spring. They are generally suitable for spaces with height restrictions.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): Serviceberry trees are small, deciduous trees with attractive spring flowers and fall color. They usually stay within the height limits.
Crabapple Trees (Malus spp.): Compact varieties of crabapple trees can be chosen for their beautiful spring blooms and small stature, making them suitable for planting near power lines.
Redbud (Cercis spp.): Redbuds are small trees with vibrant spring flowers. There are varieties that stay relatively short and are appropriate for spaces with height restrictions.
Interesting, looks like AI and I think pretty similarly. I already have #1, #3, and #7 planned.
ChatGPT - Q2
My street is in a sunny location. So let me modify the search quary.
ChatGPT: What small tree varieties fit under powerlines and like full sun? Here is the response:
Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia spp.): Crape myrtles are small to medium-sized trees with vibrant flowers that thrive in full sun. They come in various colors and are well-suited for planting in sunny locations.
Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus): Also known as the Vitex tree, it produces clusters of purple flowers and is drought-tolerant. It's a great option for full sun and stays relatively small.
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): Choose compact varieties of Japanese maples for full sun locations. These trees offer beautiful foliage in various colors and can be kept small.
Coral Bark Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Sango Kaku'): This specific Japanese maple variety is known for its vibrant coral-colored bark and works well in full sun. It's also a smaller-sized tree.
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): The Eastern Redbud is a small tree with pink to purple flowers that appear in spring. It can tolerate full sun and is suitable for planting under power lines.
Crabapple (Malus spp.): Compact crabapple varieties thrive in full sun and offer beautiful spring blooms. They are generally well-suited for smaller spaces.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.): Serviceberry trees are adaptable to full sun and produce white flowers in spring, followed by berries. They are typically small in size.
Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa): Kousa Dogwood is a small tree with attractive flowers and berries. It prefers full sun to partial shade and is suitable for planting under power lines.
Interesting, some overlap with my first question.
ChatGPT - Q3
What other considerations do I care about?
ChatGPT: What small tree varieties fit under powerlines and provide winter interest?
Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum): Known for its beautiful cinnamon-colored peeling bark, the Paperbark Maple provides visual interest throughout the winter months.
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas): This small tree has attractive exfoliating bark and produces small, bright red fruits in late winter or early spring.
Harry Lauder's Walking Stick (Corylus avellana 'Contorta'): This deciduous shrub has twisted and contorted branches that add a sculptural element to the winter landscape.
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea): This dogwood species features bright red stems in winter, providing a burst of color against the winter landscape.
Winter King Hawthorn (Crataegus viridis 'Winter King'): This hawthorn variety retains its red berries into the winter, adding visual interest. The tree also has thorny branches and attractive fall color.
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): Some Japanese maple varieties have interesting branching structures and bark that can be appreciated during the winter months.
Dwarf Conifers (Various species): Consider small, evergreen conifers like dwarf spruces or pines. They maintain their green foliage year-round, providing winter interest.
Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis): This small deciduous tree offers vibrant fall foliage, and its interesting branching structure can be appreciated during the winter.
Ohh, I love the Chinese Pistache, but I think I have another place in the property where I want to put that.
Compare and Consolidate
Looking over my three prompts, the tree types that showed up in each response were Dogwood and Japanese Maple. Interestingly for the dogwood, the response was for slightly different varieties:
Dogwood Trees (Cornus spp.): Dogwoods are known for their beautiful spring flowers and vibrant fall foliage. They typically stay small and can be suitable for planting under power lines.
Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa): Kousa Dogwood is a small tree with attractive flowers and berries. It prefers full sun to partial shade and is suitable for planting under power lines.
Cornelian Cherry Dogwood (Cornus mas): This small tree has attractive exfoliating bark and produces small, bright red fruits in late winter or early spring.
Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea): This dogwood species features bright red stems in winter, providing a burst of color against the winter landscape.
But what do those latin names mean?
ChatGPT Clarifications
Let’s ask ChatGPT: what is the difference between cornus spp., cornus kousa, cornus mas, and cornus sericea?
The terms "Cornus spp.," "Cornus kousa," "Cornus mas," and "Cornus sericea" refer to different species within the Cornus genus, commonly known as dogwoods. Here's an overview of the key differences between them:
Cornus spp.: "Cornus spp." is a general term that refers to the entire Cornus genus, encompassing a variety of dogwood species. It's an umbrella term for all dogwoods and doesn't specify a particular species. When you see "Cornus spp.," it indicates a general reference to dogwoods without specifying a particular type.
Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood): Cornus kousa is a specific species commonly known as Kousa Dogwood. It is native to East Asia and is characterized by its pointed, four-petaled white or pink flowers that appear in late spring. Kousa Dogwood is known for its attractive exfoliating bark and colorful fall foliage. It tends to be smaller in size compared to some other dogwood species.
Cornus mas (Cornelian Cherry Dogwood): Cornus mas, or Cornelian Cherry Dogwood, is another specific species. It is native to Europe and Asia. Cornelian Cherry Dogwood produces small, bright yellow flowers in late winter or early spring, before its leaves emerge. The tree also bears small red fruits that resemble cherries. It is valued for its winter interest and early spring blooms.
Cornus sericea (Red Twig Dogwood): Cornus sericea, commonly known as Red Twig Dogwood or Redosier Dogwood, is a deciduous shrub rather than a tree. It is native to North America. One of its notable features is its bright red stems, particularly prominent in winter. Red Twig Dogwood is often chosen for its winter appeal and is used in landscaping for its colorful branches.
In summary, "Cornus spp." is a broad term referring to all dogwood species, while "Cornus kousa," "Cornus mas," and "Cornus sericea" refer to specific species within the Cornus genus, each with its own distinctive characteristics and geographic origins.
ChatGPT Refinement
I think the Kousa Dogwood will be the tree variety I want, but which specific variety?
I asked ChatGPT to create a table with different Kousa Dogwood types with a column for mature height, mature width, growth rate, flower color, bloom time, summer leaf color, and fall leaf color. Here is the response:
That’s so awesome.
Looking at my planting plan, I already have a Wedding Cake Tree — cornus controversa — which has white flowers and red to purple leaves in the fall. I am leaning towards the Satomi with pink leaves to create a nice pairing.
But then I did a google search for Satomi and saw something else in the search results that just popped off the page: Cornus kousa 'Hanros' Radiant Rose™ Pink Flowering Chinese Dogwood.
Here is a photo from Mr. Maple:
That is what I want. Is it what ChatGPT suggested? No. Did ChatGPT help me feel confident about my final selection? Yes. Thank you ChatGPT!
My next step is to test out this tree in my planting plan, and I hope I continue to love it, and buy it, and plant it.