Expert: Marc Chapelle, RLA - 9/16/2009

Question
We had our back yard professional landscaped 10 months ago.  We did request a few shade trees. We have two Fantasy Maples and one Carrotwood Tree. We wanted trees between 25 to 35 feet tall and we were looking for more fall colors for our backyard. The Carrotwood tree is planted 42 inches from our common fence. Our neighbor's want us to replace this tree as it is the worst tree to plant and will up root the fence and interfere with the telephone wires because it grows to big.

We just need a little more information about this tree before we make any decisions.

Thank you,

Linda
Los Angeles,Ca


Answer
I wonder if your neighbor read the LA Times article on this "tree of the week" back in March:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laland/2009/03/tree-of-the-wee.html

It has a very neat habit, but some don't like its seed & leaf litter.  The roots are NON-invasive, so the concern for hurting utility lines is bunk.  3-1/2' feet from a fence is plenty of room.  I've seen them planted as street trees 18" from concrete curbs with no adverse problems.  

Here is another un-bias source of info(US Forest Service): hort.ufl.edu/trees/CUPANAA.pdf

Finally, there WAS a rumor a few years ago, that they are banned in LA.  Not so! It is just over-used by landscapers in LA because of its low maintenance, medium growth, and non-invasive root systems. They are invasive plant in FLORIDA, and might be banned in some counties, there.  I don't know about that.

(As an aside, my kids love it when I say its name in Latin - its fun!! Cupaniopsis anacardioides.  Phonetically, is pronounced "Coo-pani-opsis...Anna-cardy-oy-dees" It is also called "Cupaniopsis anacardiopsis")

~Marc