How to choose the right tree for your garden There are hundreds of different varieties of trees to buy and each tree will have unique needs and requirements. The task of choosing the right tree and caring for a tree can be daunting. Taking into consideration the ideas below will help you to find the right trees for planting in your garden. What do you want from your tree? This may sound like a silly question to ask yourself, but it’s very important to know what you want your tree for. You may want your garden tree for privacy, shade, greenery, fruit, and nuts, or to bring different colours and textures to your garden. This will also help you when it comes to planning where you want to plant your trees. If you’re after shade then you may consider planting trees close to a bench or patio area or if you’re after different colours and textures then you may want to make the tree a focal point in your garden. For shade, Oak Trees such as Oak Scarlet Trees, Pin Oak Trees, or Oak Red Trees are great as they come in different varieties so you have a wide range to choose from. They are large, hardy trees that can handle cold winters and will be great for providing shade once fully grown. For privacy, Evergreen trees are a great option as they provide privacy and screening all year round. Another would be the Cypress Italian Tree. They have an elegant upright evergreen shape and are fast-growing if you’re after instant privacy. If you are looking to block off a wide or large space, you may also consider either Holly Trees or Holm Oak Trees. There are many other trees that can bring brightness to your garden by adding vibrancy and colour as well as smaller trees that can provide privacy and shade for patio areas – have a read of our latest patio planting ideas blog. Choose the right tree for the space you have Another key factor to consider is the size of the tree. Planting a tree is a big investment now and for the future of your garden so it’s important to choose wisely. You want to know how large these trees can grow in width and height and ensure you have enough space when planting. Considering any limitations that may occur when it comes to the height of the tree is also important. Researching particular trees that you like will help you to plan your garden so you can allow room should you want to plant other flowers or shrubs in your garden. We have a variety of trees for small spaces that are suitable for patios or smaller gardens so you don’t have to miss out if you don’t have as much garden space. Some of these include Bay Trees, Magnolia Stellata Trees, Willow Dwarf Weeping Kilmarnock Trees, and many more. We also have many larger trees such as Poplar Black Trees, and Walnut English Trees, which would fit perfectly in larger gardens and spaces. Factor in the rate the tree will grow Before you pick your tree you will also want to know how fast the tree grows. The last thing you want to do is plant a tree and it takes many years to grow to its full height when you’re after something a bit quicker. For fast-growing trees, you might want to consider an Alder Native. They are a rapidly growing European native that thrives in wet soil. They are also great for providing windbreak and is a hardy trees so can survive winters well. Another option are Birch Silver Trees. They are fast-growing slender trees that boast a delicate bright green leaf in spring which turns to a soft yellow in autumn. They are also fully hardy trees that grow in sun or semi-shade and will grow in most well-drained soils. We have a great range of other fast-growing trees to choose from. You may decide that you’re not worried about how fast the tree goes and opt for a slow-growing tree. Maple Paper Bark Trees can take around 20 years to reach full height and their main feature is their striking, peeling orange-brown bark which helps to brighten up any dark corner in your garden. Another option would be Ginkgo biloba, they are slow growing but long-lived. There are many varieties of slow and fast-growing trees so make sure you do your research before purchasing a particular tree. If you need more advice on tree growth contact one of our experts. Consider how much effort you want to put into caring for your tree How much time and effort do you want to put into maintaining your tree? Perhaps you’re a keen gardener and have the time to spend caring for your trees or maybe you’re someone with less spare time and are looking for a tree that is easy to care for and requires minimal effort and maintenance. Researching how much time is needed to care for your tree will be another great factor to consider. Some examples of low-maintenance trees would be the Japanese Maple Tree. There are many varieties such as Japanese Maple Coral Bark Trees, Purple Japanese Maple Trees, and Japanese Maple Jordan Trees. They are famous for their bright foliage and generally speaking all forms of the Japenese Maple would make a good option as a low-maintenance tree. Another option would be the Blushing Bride Flowering Cherry Tree. This is a round-topped tree that is grown mainly for its beautiful flowers and glowing autumn colour of red and orange (with the added bonus of being low maintenance!). They need very little pruning and are an overall attractive tree. If you have a small garden or only a patio you could choose our Dwarf Flowering Cherry Shrubs, as these can be kept in a pot and will not grow too big while giving the same colours and blossom. There are many varieties of low-maintenance trees that you may find more suitable for you. Whether you’re after a large or small tree there are a lot of things to consider before purchasing a tree. Taking time to think of these things will help you in the long run and greatly benefit you and your garden space. For help finding the right tree take a look at our tree finder. BACK TO ARTICLES
