Need ideas on a good tree that fares well in a pot

[peachyness]

I have an online friend who is looking for a tree for her cat. She needs it to be in a pot since she lives in an apartment. Any ideas on good tress? She said she has 10 black thumbs, so a hardy one would be nice.

Thanks!

Oh, by the way, I apologize if this has been asked before. I search the forum and nothing came up....

[cynthia_h]

What does she want the tree to do for the cat? Seriously. Should it provide climbing opportunities? Snacking opportunities? Batting-at-the-leaves opportunities?

So many plants are toxic or at least indigestible to cats that we're working with a shortened list from the get-go. To get an idea, look at https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

This leads to a comprehensive list of plants toxic/dangerous to dogs, cats, *or* horses, or the viewer can select the specific list: in this case, plants toxic/dangerous to cats only.

Then, armed with a printout *and* knowledge of indoor plants, start the search.

However, if she's looking for a real tree (let's say a dwarf, maybe 7 feet tall at full maturity), that specimen will want to live in a half-barrel and have access to at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.

A lot goes into keeping plants alive indoors; check out the Container Gardening Forum and, esp., the Bonsai Forum to see the challenges indoor gardeners can face with their plants. Perhaps your friend can join here and the two of you search/question together?

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[mmswm]

Hi! I'm the friend.

Cynthia, thanks for the reply. That gives me a lot to start. I'm really looking for something that can live outside on the porch for a good chunk of the year. My very spoiled kitty was an outdoor cat before I rescued him, then was an indoor/outdoor cat until an injury turned him into a gimp (I really did try to keep him inside...). Between the bad back leg and the move to a second floor apartment, he's pretty satisfied hanging out on the porch. He's gotten pretty good at climbing again, and would probably also enjoy something he can chew on as well. What I'd like to do for him is give him a little bit more of the "real" outside...hence the tree.

I'm not much of a gardener, so on top of being cat-safe, I need something that will fare well with a fairly easy care routine (I can keep up a routine, as long as it's not terribly complicated). I do live in North Dakota, so I also need something that can either live in this climate, or do well with being brought inside for a good chunk of the year. Since I know next to nothing about trees, and have not had much luck in the past with plants, I'm really hoping somebody here has some suggestions that will help me keep the most spoiled cat in the country happy.

Thanks!

[Kisal]

Any indoor plant is going to require constant attention and care. Also, not uncommonly, cats will decide to use a large plant container as their litter box, which often leads to the rapid demise of the plant. If she indeed has "10 black thumbs," your friend might be better off purchasing something such as this, which is known by the names "cat tree" and "kitty condo." The one pictured is probably in the mid-price range. They can be smaller and simpler, or much larger and more complex, depending on the individual's preference. Most pet stores will have them, and they're available online. You can even find tutorials to guide you in making your own.

[img]https://www.for-cats-only.com/images/mySubms/reviewCatTree.jpg[/img]

[mmswm]

My one cat has several kitty condos...did I mention he's spoiled? I'm okay with a daily routine for care, it just can't be overly complicated, since I'm not an expert gardener by any stretch of the imagination. I really do want a real tree for him.

[cynthia_h]

If you can safely screen off the porch so that Mr. Cat makes no more escapes, maybe he'd like his own set of tree *branches* to sharpen his claws on. Tree-trimming companies, city maintenance crews, homeowners with large trees, can all be sources of large, cat-satisfying tree branches.

These branches come without those attractive "kitty litter boxes" attached, will be known not to be toxic, and will have loads of interesting odors due to their previous life on the tree(s). Birds, squirrels, and other creatures may have run up and down the branches, leaving their odors behind, entrancing Mr. Cat.

Maybe this is an alternate way of satisfying his (Mom's) crave for the Outdoor Experience?

Cynthia (I live with both dogs and cats...)

[peachyness]

Cynthia, that's a good idea about using just the branches.