Let trees inspire your garden landscaping ideas

SENSIBLE tree planting not only looks well but can also help guard your home against severe weather and unwanted prying. Making tress a part of your landscaping plans is the best piece of external embellishment you’ll ever make.

Well positioned trees in a garden will add beauty, shade and privacy for years to come. Most trees are now sold in pots which means it’s easier to plant them at any time of year.

A good tip if you live on a particularly windy site is to plant in late spring or early summer as this gives the tree more time to acclimatise and take root which will better equip it to deal with its first blustery winter. Always keep trees the requisite distance from your home to avoid root spread and interference with the foundations of the house. Ask at your garden centre, based on the tree you’ve selected, what the best distance is to plant from a house.

If planted in a line, trees will help screen your garden from southerly and westerly winds. Again, allow a good distance between the trees and house in case trees are felled haphazardly by high winds.

The most popular trees grown in Ireland include Alder, Ash, Birch, Blackthorn, Whitethorn, Crab apple, Hazel, Holly, Oak, Mountain Ash, Scots pine, Willow and Yew. If you have a large site and want to demarcate areas that are prone to trespassing, then a row of Whitethorn or Blackthorn will give great protection and serve as a good deterrent.

On the decorative front, large Japanese maple trees make a stunning addition to any garden with some varieties perfect for smaller gardens. Conifers like Juniper and English Yew can make driveways and borders very stylish but will require professional trimming if you want that real stately home look. Trees are not just multifaceted in appearance, but also in the way we can use them to enhance and protect our property. Trees are inspiring when planted in a conscientious way.