Ornamental trees

[kia cat]

Hi gang. we've set our hearts on a couple of trees we'd like to plant to remember my wife's mum & dad.

They're the Persian Silk Tree [Albizia julibrissin Summer Chocolate] and Princess Tree [Paulownia tomentosa]. Both are unusual, attractive, but grow to 5m - I'm guessing the spread will be wide too. Could we keep them shorter than this or should we try for ones grown on a dwarf stock? Our garden is about 25 foot wide and about 50 foot long. Thanks

[rowanwitch]

Not sure if they come on dwarfing stocks and Paulownia has a big spread and grows to 12-15m and cuts out all the light below it (you have the 5 - 10 year heights I think) so might be a bad choice in a small garden The Albizia can grow to 12m but is quite 'lacy' so a better choice for a small garden it would look stunning with a robinia 'frisia' pseudacacia though the bright yello against the plummy tones would be very striking

http://www.johnstowng...robinia_frisiapd.aspx

seen here with a purply cotinus to give you a better idea

[sigma]

What would happen should you decide to move. To the people who buy your property the tree would have no meaning and could end up being up rooted.
Why not dedicate a tree at the National Memorial Arboretum.

[woofgang]

Why don't you plant them in big tubs? They will stay dwarfed,can be moved around and you could take them with you of you move. I have a liquidambar that has been growing in a tub for 20 years, not bonsai'd just a normal big patio tub and it is still only about 4 ft high. I have done the same with parrotia persica too.

Be aware that Robinias have been dying from an unknown cause over the last few years, they are an expensive investment but it also might be upsetting for you if a special tree dies.