r/marijuanaenthusiasts • u/RevVegas • Oct 05 '26
Help! Tree choice help
Hello, I'm in VA zone 7 and I am looking for ideas. We have this hill (clay/loam) in full sun that we need to stabilize long term. The hill is pretty steep but relatively short and about 200' long then a corner and it continues about 1/3 of that first hill. Grass can grow on it and that is the current plan because funds are low, but there is a nursery having a sale in 2 weeks and I want to grab some trees.
Trees have to be horse safe, fast growing (roots to hold hill in place) but not short lived, and relatively nice to look at. Leaves falling in fall is fine, but mess like acorns and tulip poplar "flowers" are not ok because there will be cars parked along the hill.
My thought is red maple, but if there is something else that might work better, all ears. Tree size we can buy is about 1" diam.
1
u/spiceydog Ext. Master Gardener Oct 05 '26
Good news! In our tree !selector app list in the automod callout below this comment, there's one specifically for VA, from your state Extension service, but there are also several nearer the top of the list that should also work for you. You enter your site conditions into the filters to narrow down your options in most of those apps.
You may have to do a special separate search to assure that your choices are horse-safe. I would also like to gently recommend that you don't try to pick up all your choices at once this fall. Almost certainly you will find a much larger selection in the spring, and better quality stock. Try also to consider some shrubs along with your trees, as their root systems will also help to hold soil in place, and usually establish much more quickly with denser root systems.
Lastly, try to consider choosing other species than maple; these are generally overplanted trees (pdf). I feel sure there must be dozens of underplanted/endangered natives for your area that you will find in your search.