Q Will any tree grow in wet soil?

MEGHAN PORTER, SURREY

A The best trees for wet soils are alders (alnus). Common alder (A. glutinosa) is easy to grow with rounded foliage and catkins in spring; ‘Aurea’ (below) is more attractive with pale yellow foliage and orange winter branches; A. cordata is robust and attractive with glossy summer foliage. If you have plenty of room, try swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum), an unusual, deciduous conifer.