Which high-desert-friendly tree should I plant beside my driveway?

Question

My property (New Mexico, climate zone 7a) has a patch of ground between my driveway and a fence that's begging for a tree to be there. It's about 11 feet wide. Apparently a tree was there before, as its stump is still visible (you can see it at https://i.stack.imgur.com/3Z5lN.jpg).

I'd like to plant something whose roots won't eventually heave the concrete driveway slab. It would be planted about 5 or 6 feet from the driveway. Shade doesn't matter to me because it's on the north part of the lot. Trees that grow well in the neighborhood are Hackberry, Juniper, Cypress, various Pines, and some Oaks. Do any of these stand out as being especially safe to plant in this strip?

Answer 1

First, I'll mention that if there was a tree there before, it was taken down for a reason. If the reason was disease, you'll want to know the species, so that you don't accidentally replant the same thing. Of course, id-ing stumps is hard, especially once the bark is off. You may have to ask around, or just chance it.

Now, here are some trees you may find to be of interest, in no particular order:

• Hackberry, Celtis occidentalis

• Arizona Ash Fraxinus velutina

• Chinese Flame-Tree Koelreuteria bipinnata

• Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis

• Persian Lilac Melia azedarach

• Honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos

• bristlecone pine Pinus aristata

• Western White Pine Pinus monticola

• Limber Pine Pinus flexilis

• Pinyon Pinus monophylla

• Arizona Cypress Cupressus arizonica

• One Seed Juniper Juniperus monosperma

• Utah Juniper Juniperus osteosperma

• Narrowleaf Cottonwood Populus angustifolia

And the list goes on. These trees should behave rootwise, the most vigorous in this respect listed here being honeylocust. I've purposefully left out Oaks, and some others, as they will tend to move concrete slabs, given time :P. The conifers should be fine.

Disclaimer: I live in a temperate area

Answer 2

With regards to preventing the tree from lifting the concrete slab, I would consider installing a root barrier. A root barrier could be thought of as a "well" to prevent root growth towards the slab. The wall of the well would extend from above the soil line down to whatever depth the roots would grow. The depth would depend on the species and the conditions of the soil. For example, if you have hardpan at 18 inches down, the roots aren't going to go down further. Once you have settled on a particular species, I suggest driving around to see if you can spot mature trees growing near sidewalks or driveways. You may spot an example of someone who installed a root barrier at the time of planting, and thus prevented some of the usual problems of planting a tree near a driveway.

Have you also considered shrubs? Many shrubs can be pruned in a tree-like form, and this would extend the possible candidates.