Barking up the right tree A beautiful tree will transform your plot... while helping to save the planet too
FOR loads of different reasons we need to plant more trees. They absorb carbon dioxide – that’s the baddy that is contributing to climate change. Through photosynthesis, trees transform CO2 into energy and release oxygen into the air.
Trees also absorb other pollutants, such as sulphur and carbon monoxide. And they help the soil to capture carbon. Trees support a huge range of wildlife, many providing pollen for bees, butterflies and moths to collect, and they create shelter and a habitat for birds and mammals. And they look beautiful. Autumn and winter are the best times to plant them, so here are my favourite garden trees which are suitable for small to average-size plots:
Suitable for small gardens:
Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ has lovely magenta pink flowers in spring on bare stems which are followed by heart-shaped purple leaves. The leaves turn orange, red and yellow to give a beautiful autumnal display.
Malus ‘Gorgeous’ is a flowering crab apple tree. Lots of blossoms in spring are followed by red-orange fruit in autumn. The crab apples can persist through winter, providing a valuable source of food for hungry birds.
Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ is a compact hawthorn tree which is covered in crimson flowers in late spring and summer. It has all the benefits of our native hawthorn but in cultivated and elegant garden form.
Acer griseum – the leaves are currently a bright orange before they fall for winter. But this only draws attention to the limbs of the tree, a coppery peeling bark – gorgeous!
Amelanchier mespilus – I have a few of these growing in pots. I appreciate their shape, spring
Diarmuid digs in blossoms and good autumnal colour. ‘Ballerina’ is perfect for the smaller garden with a large full crown on a short stem.
Acer palmatum – a Japanese maple is probably the best-behaved tree for a small space as it grows so slowly. Graceful in habit and striking in autumn with its super fiery colours.
Arbutus unedo – the Strawberry Killarney tree has a number of things going for it – evergreen leaves, interesting richly cinnamon bark, white or pink small bell-shaped flowers and a strawberry-like fruit. It also makes a good screen or standalone specimen.
If you have a bit more space:
Betula utilis – while they grow tall, their canopy remains light throwing a dappled shade in summer. ‘Jacquemontii’ has very white stems which look good, even when the tree is bare in winter.
Liquidambar or sweet gum has wonderful autumn colour with its elegant maple-like leaves but is usually too mighty a specimen for the average garden. However, there is new variety, ‘Slender Silhouette,’ which although will grow tall remains slimline.
Acacia dealbata will delight with thousands of small yellow pom pom
Betula Utilis ‘jacque-montii’, gives a dappled shade flowers in early spring. The feathery foliage creates a soft texture throughout the year. Plant young as it doesn’t like to be disturbed – it might just sit there for a year or two, but then it takes off!