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Home > Home & Garden > Articles > Don t trees in small gardens always end up causing all sorts of problems

Don t trees in small gardens always end up causing all sorts of problems

01:00 Tue 24th Jul 2001 | Home & Garden

A.� In many cases they do, but it's the fault of whoever planted them, not the trees. Basically you have to plant a tree that will stay in proportion to the space you have available. Of course potential giants�such as oaks, sycamores and cedars will shade out everything else and undermine paths and building foundations if planted in the average city backyard, but there are hundreds of small and dwarf trees that will enhance any garden without causing any problems. Indeed, there are also plenty that can be grown in large pots. If in doubt there is a very general rule of thumb.

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To avoid problems with roots, a tree should be planted at least one-and-a-half times its acknowledged eventual height away from a building, a rule that automatically excludes hundreds of different trees. Indeed gardens without at least one tree in them often seem incomplete.

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Q. What sort of characteristics should you look for in a tree for a small garden

A.� Evergreen species are obviously popular as they provide all-year round interest, but if you chose a deciduous one it should justify itself with a spectacular show for at least one season, two (spring and autumn if possible). You will probably want something that will blend in, rather than dominate its surroundings, so look at the other plants already in the garden and work out what sort of spread of canopy you can afford.

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Finally, try to get something slow growing so you don't wake up one morning and find you've got a monster on your hands. It is always worth checking your choice meets these criteria with a reputable nursery or in a book before buying.

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Q.� Do you need to stake newly planted trees in a small garden

A.� To stake or not to stake is one of the burning issues in the horticultural world at the moment. It obviously depends on how exposed the tree will be to wind, but your average small urban garden is usually pretty sheltered and not staking young trees should encourage the development of a nice thick trunk without too much fear of them blowing over.

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However, in these days of more 'instant gardening' many of us are buying much more mature specimens for instant impact. In these cases it is unlikely that the existing roots system, especially if it has been container grown, will be extensive enough to support what's above the ground and staking, at least until they've established themselves is advisable.

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Q.� So what would you recommend

A. There are hundreds of possibilities, but here are a selection that should cover most tastes.

All the smaller snakebark maples (Acers) are excellent, particularly A. davidii, A. rufinerve and A.capillipes, not only displaying wonderful coloured foliage, but also compensating for the shedding of their leaves with highly decorative, sometimes peeling bark.

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The Judas Tree, Cercis siliquastrum, has wonderful blue/green leaves that turn yellow in autumn and is smothered with�pink blooms in the spring. If you like conifers, Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca Pendula', is a weeping variety that shouldn't go over 15ft. For fans of spectacular foliage why not plant the Smoke Tree Cotinus 'Grace' has rich claret-coloured leaves that go orange in autumn and long lasting purple sprays of flowers.

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Finally the Chinese Rowan, Sorbus vilmorinii weighs in at about 12ft and has attractive fern like leaves, white flowers and pink berries in autumn.

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By Tom Gard

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