This week has been ideal weather for planting a few trees. With container grown trees it’s generally alright to plant any time of year but with bare root types, like the willows (Salix) I’m planting, they should really be planted within the next few weeks before the buds burst. The small trees I’m planting are called whips and don’t really need staking. They will need tree guards to protect them from rabbits. After saying that, the biggest problem I have is my dog eating the tips of the small branches. Willow contains the natural source of aspirin so maybe he’s trying to tell me something.
TREE PLANTING
Consider a few important points before choosing and planting trees:
1. Where is the tree to be planted, for example on a large exposed site or in a small sheltered garden?
2. Decide what size of tree is required. Check to see the size the tree will be in 10 years time, to see whether it will outgrow it’s spot.
3. If the tree is to be planted near to the house, check if it has invasive roots that may damage drains or foundations. Check the tree won’t be blocking the light into the windows when it gets bigger.
4. Would you like a tree that has seasonal interest? For example, spring flowers, berries, autumn colour or interesting bark for winter interest.
5. If planting a group of specimen trees, leave enough room between each one to avoid constant pruning when they mature.
There are a lot of suitable trees to choose from that can withstand our windswept coastal area. Here is just a small sample of the more popular varieties on offer.
TREES FOR EXPOSED SITES.
Whitebeam: (Sorbus aria lutescens) Grows to 12m. They have silvery leaves when young.
Mountain ash- Rowan: These are Sorbus again but have the cluster of small leaflets on each leaf. They are slender trees and have white flowers in summer followed by attractive berries in autumn and winter.
Here are some of the more popular varieties.
Sorbus Joseph rock: These have yellow berries with bright red leaves in autumn.
Sorbus Aucuparia: These have red berries. This is the native Rowan.
Sorbus Commixta: These have orange berries.
Sorbus November pink: These have pink berries
Maple or Sycamore: (Acer) the common Sycamore is an Acer that is extremely fast growing and hardy. These may be too large for your plot, reaching a height of 10m or more. Don’t let this put you off Acers, there are others that make ideal garden trees. Popular varieties include: -
Acer Crimson King: These have purple leaves.
Acer Drummondii: With yellow variegation on the leaves.
Acer Worlii: Golden yellow leaves.
Silver Birch: (Betula Pendula) could grow to 12m, they have attractive bark, generally white, yellow catkins in spring and leaves that turn yellow in the autumn. They will thrive in most soil types – but they are shallow rooted. They need to be well staked and well watered in dry weather. Don’t plant underneath them, as other plants will take the available water.
Horticultural.
TREE PLANTING
Consider a few important points before choosing and planting trees:
1. Where is the tree to be planted, for example on a large exposed site or in a small sheltered garden?
2. Decide what size of tree is required. Check to see the size the tree will be in 10 years time, to see whether it will outgrow it’s spot.
3. If the tree is to be planted near to the house, check if it has invasive roots that may damage drains or foundations. Check the tree won’t be blocking the light into the windows when it gets bigger.
4. Would you like a tree that has seasonal interest? For example, spring flowers, berries, autumn colour or interesting bark for winter interest.
5. If planting a group of specimen trees, leave enough room between each one to avoid constant pruning when they mature.
There are a lot of suitable trees to choose from that can withstand our windswept coastal area. Here is just a small sample of the more popular varieties on offer.
TREES FOR EXPOSED SITES.
Whitebeam: (Sorbus aria lutescens) Grows to 12m. They have silvery leaves when young.
Mountain ash- Rowan: These are Sorbus again but have the cluster of small leaflets on each leaf. They are slender trees and have white flowers in summer followed by attractive berries in autumn and winter.
Here are some of the more popular varieties.
Sorbus Joseph rock: These have yellow berries with bright red leaves in autumn.
Sorbus Aucuparia: These have red berries. This is the native Rowan.
Sorbus Commixta: These have orange berries.
Sorbus November pink: These have pink berries
Maple or Sycamore: (Acer) the common Sycamore is an Acer that is extremely fast growing and hardy. These may be too large for your plot, reaching a height of 10m or more. Don’t let this put you off Acers, there are others that make ideal garden trees. Popular varieties include: -
Acer Crimson King: These have purple leaves.
Acer Drummondii: With yellow variegation on the leaves.
Acer Worlii: Golden yellow leaves.
Silver Birch: (Betula Pendula) could grow to 12m, they have attractive bark, generally white, yellow catkins in spring and leaves that turn yellow in the autumn. They will thrive in most soil types – but they are shallow rooted. They need to be well staked and well watered in dry weather. Don’t plant underneath them, as other plants will take the available water.
TIP
To make planting even easier, if you have young trees and they are planted in the ground firmly they will not need staking. Research has shown that large trees that are staked can be slow in developing and damage can occur to the trunks. Buying smaller trees will save you a fortune and they will catch the big trees up in no time!
Horticultural.
No comments:
Post a Comment