Fred reacts to a list of 12 fast-growing shade trees that he might have a heart attack over.
The episode begins with Mark introducing a list of 12 fast-growing shade trees from a website, noting Fred might disapprove. Fred agrees to review the list, acknowledging his horticultural bias. First, he dismisses quaking aspen as unsuitable for most central Ohio lawns, citing specific soil and water needs. Next, he critiques northern Catalpa, calling it messy and best for distant planting. For hackberry, Fred has mixed feelings, noting native issues with insects but potential in new cultivars. He expresses reservations about red sunset maple for long-term shade. Fred strongly opposes silver maple, sharing a personal anecdote about its seeds and root problems. He then discusses oak varieties: praising northern red oak from his own yard, cautioning about pin oak in clay soils, and mentioning sawtooth oak as uncommon but acceptable. Finally, Fred advises on American sweet gum, stressing the need for northern strain trees to survive in Ohio, illustrated by a story of losing a bid due to cost differences. The episode focuses on practical tree selection for Ohio conditions, blending expert opinion with personal experience.
