Trees in Small Gardens

• A tree is a long term investment, it needs very careful thought
• Considerable resources of time, effort and money are wasted as a result of thoughtless or careless planting of unsuitable trees and large shrubs
• Many gardens are blighted by such inappropriate planting, as are friendly relations between neighbours. They are a major cause of disputes, current and into the future.
• The effects of any large plant, are not confined to the garden in which they are planted, they can effect several gardens, both above and below ground.
• Many offending trees were not in fact 'planted' but just self seeded, unnoticed at first, then unrecognised until becoming too large to be removed easily or at considerable expense.

Worst offenders:- Forest trees e.g. Ash, Sycamore, Beech, Oak.

Water seeking trees e.g. Weeping Willow & Poplar

Large conifers e.g. Leylandii & Cypress

Suckering trees e.g. Sumach, Prunus, Lilac

Large spreading shrubs e.g. Symphoricarpus, some Philadelphus, Laurel

Important Considerations when choosing trees:-

Shade:- Effects :- on other plants, fruit and flower production, lawn growth. Ponds and rockeries.

House, greenhouse or patio.

Area of. :- depending upon the shape, height and spread of the tree.

Seasonal effects and quality of :- Deciduous, evergreen? light or deep ? long or short by season.

Direction of :- Who or what will be in the shade, you? your neighbours?

Other effects:-

Drainage - on the soil. Trees take up a lot of water from the surrounding soil, implications may be

good or bad. It may make under-planting almost impossible.

- Never plant trees or large shrubs, near to buildings or over drains.

Nutrients - Over a period of time soil may become starved.

Leaf and Fruit fall - Can cause a lot of work in the autumn, especially on beds and lawns.

Mature roots - Can surface and cause surface and cause serious maintenance to paving and lawns.

Tree Weeds - seedlings can be quite a problem, when they germinate among hedges, and perennials.

Pests and Diseases - Some trees such as lime, oak, sycamore and prunus host many of both.

Notes:-

• Always know the eventual height and spread of the tree, know what variety it is.
• Do not confuse vague phrases such as 'Height at 10 years'... 'slow growing'.......and 'dwarf'
• Any tree however large, can be kept under control and sagely placed in any position if it is in a pot!
• Trees will usually grow more slowly and shorter if grown as multi trunk specimens.
• If you are looking for small trees, consider using one of the large, varieties of vigorous shrubs and grow
• and prune to tree shape. Reducing the number of base shoots, and lower branches will make single or multi-trunk trees, which will age without getting too big . (www.cyop.freeuk.com 2001 S. Lord)