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Choosing Garden Trees for Small Places

Author: AndrewKelly
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Adding just a single tree to a garden can make a world of difference. Trees can help add dimension to any garden. When choosing which trees to grow in your garden you really need to take a look around your local area and see what trees grow best (this one tip could save great heartache). See how they have been used in the garden and make notes of the plants around it so that you can emulate it in your own space. If you have such a small space as you will be limited to planting only one tree you will need to spend a little longer deciding which is your favorite that are suitable for your location.

Specimen trees are those trees that are usually only gown singularly, to act as a centerpiece or focal point in the garden. Such a tree or shrub should offer something special such as an abundance of blossom or is a dramatic shape or color.

The most important thing about a specimen tree is that it must be interesting to such a degree that it stands out in the garden and considerably adds to the gardens overall beauty. One thing that most people fail to realize is that specimen trees do not need to hold a central position in a garden. Quite often trees can look their best as a backdrop to a flower garden or placed in a corner to reduce the 'square' appearance of a backyard.

If you only have a small space you will find the choice of trees available to us is rather limited as most mature trees are absolutely huge and would create untold damage to nearby properties. It is far, far better to choose one small, very high quality, specimen tree than have a multitude of plain trees!

When choosing trees you need to be aware of the two types, evergreens and deciduous. Evergreens, as the name implies, keep their leaves and remain green throughout winter whereas deciduous trees drop their leaves and remain bare for the season.

Evergreens have the obvious advantage of keeping their color but that color is rather limited to shades of green or yellow with only cones to add interest.

Deciduous trees can look rather bare in the winter months, although icicles and frost add interest. Trees such as the corkscrew willow can look wonderful in the winter but only in the architectural sense and no color. The real advantage of deciduous trees is their diversity. There is a multitude of species that offer the most incredible blossoms such as the laburnum (which is highly suitable for growing in small spaces if kept under control) or the flowering cherry. However the down side is that, when the leaves drop, they make a terrible mess!

When choosing trees to grow in small spaces such as a backyard it is important to ensure that the species chosen does not grow to an enormous size. This may sound obvious but to judge the suitable size correctly you need to take stock of the surroundings. If you have low hanging telephone or power cables you should should choose a tree that will not grow to reach them. Consider the roots of trees, the roots can spread great distances and are so powerful that they can cause severe damage to the foundations of buildings. Also consider the amount of shade a tree will create. It may look great in your garden but if it blocks the light from a neighbors window there could be trouble ahead.

There are a few trees worthy of mention for growing in small places. The Serbian spruce (Picea omorika) tends to grow in a compact and narrow, upright fashion which looks great while not taking up too much room. The Dwarf Korean Lilac (Syringa meyeri Pablibin) is great for small backyards as it looks wonderful and stays small but it also smells superb. Also the flowering crab apple Malus 'Sentinel' is a rather small variety that adds changing interest throughout the year. For more ideas visit a local nursery as the guys there are nearly always keen to help and enjoy discussing such matters.

About the Author

Trees are important in any garden but if you have a small garden there are problems. To find out the solutions and other interesting facts about trees visit Growing Trees in Small Places