Buy Trees Online Guide - A guide to help you buy the right Trees Online To help you identify the correct trees to buy from our extensive collection of ornamental trees available at www.trees-online.co.uk we have produced this guide to help you.
In producing this tree guide, we have produced a number of sections to provide you with a range of trees suitable for different situations, one of which will probably match your garden and are available, subject to availability, on the www.trees-online.co.uk website. It is far from exhaustive list and it must be remembered that many trees will grow happily in a wide range of situations.
Ornamental trees are grown for the beauty of their foliage, bark, spring flowers, berries, or autumn colour. Their ability to give their best in your garden will be affected by their suitability or otherwise of the situation in which they are planted and the characteristics of your soil.
TREES WITH AROMATIC FOLIAGE
Trees with scented foliage or wood often give off their aroma as a result of gentle bruising. Plant them near paths or heavily used areas, thinking about the direction of the prevailing wind.
Species Varieties
Eucalyptus (Gum) all Juglans (Walnut) all Populus (Poplar) candicans ‘Aurora'
TREES FOR CLAY SOILS
Clay soil is sticky and unworkable when it is wet and as hard as concrete when dry. However, clay soil is often fertile and if properly worked can provide an excellent home. Care should be given to providing good drainage.
Acer (Maple) all Aesculus (Horse Chestnut) all Alnus (Alder) all Aronia all Betula (Birch) all Carpinus (Hornbeam) all Cornus (Dogwood) all Cotinus all Cotoneaster all Crataegus (Hawthorn) all Eucalyptus (Gum) all Fraxinus (Ash) all Hammamelis (Witch Hazel) all Ilex (Holly) all Laburnum all Larix (Larch) all Magnolia all Malus (Crab Apple) all Populus (Poplar) all Prunus (Cherry) all Quercus (Oak) all Salix (Willow) all Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) all Taxodium (Swamp Cypress) all Taxus (Yew) all Tilia (Lime) all
TREES FOR DRY, ACID SOILS
Many treess are well adapted to dry, acid soil which is usually easy to work and has the advantage of being quick to warm up early in the year. The fertility of acid soils can be improved with the addition of organic matter, so if you are starting a new garden in these conditions, select trees from the list below at the outset then include other trees after a few seasons of soil improvement. Remember to water trees in well and mulch heavily.
Acer (Maple) ginnala Acer (Maple) negundo and cultivars Betula (Birch all Castanea (Sweet Chestnut) all Cercis all Cotoneaster all Gleditsia (Honey Locust) all Ilex (Holly) aquifolium and culitivars Ilex (Holly) crenata and cultivars Populus (Poplar) all Robinia (False Acacia or Locust) all Salix (Willow) all
TREES FOR SHALLOW SOIL OVER CHALK
Chalk soils have a very high lime content so can be harmful to many trees. That being said, calcium and magnesium limestone in the wild supports a very diverse range of trees, so the gardener need not be entirely defeated by thes conditions. Chalk is more difficult when there is only a shallow layer of soil above the rock since this leads to soild drying out quickly. Attempts to fight nature by planting your favourites will almost certainly fail. The best advice is to go with the flow by choosing from the list of trees below, which are known to be happy in these situations.
Acer (Maple) campestre Acer (Maple) negundo and cultivars Acer (Maple) platanoides and cultivars Acer (Maple) pseudoplatanus and culitivars Aesculus (Horse Chestnut) all Carpinus (Hornbeam) betulus and cultivars Cornus (Dogwood) Mas and cultivars Cotoneaster all Crataegus (Hawthorn) all Euonymus all Fagus (Beech) sylvatica and cultivars Fraxinus (Ash) all Prunus (Cherry) Japanese cherries Sambucus (Elder) all Sorbus (Whitebeam) aria and cultivars Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) Hybrida and cultivars Syringa (Lilac) all Taxus (Yew) baccata and cultivars
TREES FOR DAMP SITES
Trees in general require good drainage and locations where soil is not waterlogged. However there are some which are perfectly adapted to thriving in permanent dampness or even wetness. Trees such as the Swamp Cypress (Taxodium Dissticum) can survive wet for many months. However, trees without special adaptations to such environmental conditions might die within a few weeks if they are flooded during the growing season.
Alnus (Alder) all Amelanchier all Aronia all Betula (Birch) all Crataegus (Hawthorn) all Metasequoia (Redwood) all Populus (Poplar) all Salix (Willow) all Sambucus (Elder) all Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) aucuparia and cultiviars Taxodium (Swamp Cypress) disticum
TREES FOR COLD EXPOSED AREAS
Many of us have become familiar with the idea of a wind chill factor. This affects trees as much as it does us so finding trees that can withstand icy blasts is important, not least because the soil in such spots is often very cold or even frozen, leaving the tree to struggle for moisture from the ground as it loses extra moisture through its leaves. Thankfully a good selection of evergreens and many deciduous trees come to our rescue.
Betula (Birch) most Cotinus coggygria and cultivars Crataegus (Hawthorn) monogyna and cultivars Fagus (Beech) all Fraxinus (Ash) excelsior and cultivars Gingko biloba Laburnum all Quercus (Oak) robur and cultivars Salix (Willow) all Sorbus (Whitebeam) aria and cultivars Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) aucuparia and cultivars Taxus (Yew) baccata and cultivars
PLANTING BY THE SEASIDE
As well as coping with more wind and higher average temperatures than those inland, seaside gardens need to cope with the high salt content of the air and soil. Trees with tough, waxy leaves and grey foliage often withstand seaside conditions well.
Acer (Maple) pseudoplatanus Arbutus (Strawberry) unedo and cultivars Castanea (Sweet Chestnut) sativa Cotoneaster many Eucalyptus (Gum) all Fraxinus (Ash) excelsior and cultivars Ilex (Holly) aquifolim and cultivars Quercus (Oak) ilex Quercus (Oak) robur Salix (Willow) most Sorbus (Whitebeam) aria and cultivars Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) aucuparia and cultivars
TREES FOR SHADY SPOTS
There are a very few trees which will tolerate deep shade since their instincts are to grow up to the light. However, since most gardens have shady spots the trees which will thrive there are especially valuable.
Acer (Japanese Maple) palmatum and cultivars Cornus (Dogwood) mas and mas ‘Variegata' Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) all Ilex (Holly) aquifolium and cultivars Prunus (Laurel) laurocerasus and cultivars Prunus (Laurel) lustianica and cultivars Taxus (Yew) all
TREES OF WEEPING OR PENDULOUS HABIT
When planning a garden we often seek as much variety as possible. So, whislt many trees are characterised by a form which has branches reaching upwards, it is pleasing to find others which depart from this to provide the contrast we need.
Acer (Maple) saccharinum Cotoneaster Hybridus Pendula Euonymus europaeus ‘Red Cascade' Fagus (Beech) sylvatica ‘Purpurea Pendula' Fagus (Beech) sylvatica ‘Pendula') Malus (Crab Apple) sun rival Morus (Mulberry) alba ‘Pendula' Prunus (Cherry) ‘Cheal's Weeping' Pyrus (Pear) salicifolia ‘Pendula' Salix (Willow) x sepulcratis ‘Chrysocoma'
TREES OF UPRIGHT OR FASTIAGATE HABIT
Trees of this shape are especially useful in the smaller garden since they take up less space and cast a smaller shadow. They also form an excellent contrast with other trees.
Amelanchier alnifolia Obelisk Carpinus (Hornbeam) betulus ‘Frans Fontaine' Fagus (Beech) sylvatica ‘Dawyck Gold' Fagus (Beech) sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple' Fraxinus (Ash) ornus ‘Obelisk' Liriodendron (Tulip) tulipifera ‘Fastiagatum' Malus (Crab Apple) ‘Admiration' Malus (Crab Apple) ‘Red Obelisk' Malus (Crab Apple) trilobata ‘Guardsman' Prunus (Cherry) Amanogawa Prunus (Cherry) Shosar Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) ‘Autumn Spire' Ulmus (Elm) monor Dampierie ‘Wredei'
TREES WITH ORNAMENTAL BARK AND TWIGS
We are used to thinking of planting trees for their flower and foliage, but many have attractively coloured or peeling or patterned bark, or throw out particularly colourful new growth.
Acer (Maple) capillipes Acer (Maple) davidii ‘George Forrest' Acer (Maple) griseum Acer (Maple) rufinerve Betula (Birch) most Castanea (Sweet Chestnut) sativa Eucalyptus (Gum) most Fraxinus (Ash) excelsior ‘Aurea Pendula' Jaspidea Metasequoia (Redwood) glyptostroboides all Parrotia persica Platanus (Lime) all Prunus (Cherry) rufa Prunus (Cherry) serrula Salix (Willow) most cultivars Taxodium (Swamp Cypress) disticum
TREES GROWN FOR THEIR FOLIAGE (LARGE OR SHAPED)
After the form of the tree, it is perhaps through foliage that we can best create the design feel we seek in our gardens. Large or interestingly shaped leaves create new points of interest and emphasis in the following:
Catalpa (Indian Bean) all Crataegus (Hawthorn) arnoldiana Gingko biloba Liriodendron (Tulip) tulipifera all Malus (Crab Apple ‘Profusion Improved', transitoria Paulownia all Platanus (Lime) all Quercus (Oak) rubra Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) ‘Chinese Lace' Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) folgneri ‘Lemon Drop' Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) scalaris
TREES FOR AUTUMN COLOUR
Acer (Maple) campestre Acer (Maple) capillipes Acer (Maple) ginnala ‘Flame' Acer (Maple) platanoides, most Acer (Maple) rubrum Acer (Maple) rufinerve Amelanchier most Betula (Birch) most Carpinus (Hornbeam) all Cornus (Dogwood) florida and cultivators Cotoneaster horizontalis Crataegus (Hawthorn) pedicellata Crataegus (Hawthorn) prunifolia Euonymus europaeus and cultivars Fagus (Beech) sylvatica, sylvatica ‘Asplenifolia' Fraxinus (Ash) all Gingko all Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) all Larix (Larch) all Liquidamber (Sweet Gum) all Malus (Crab Apple) toringoides, ‘Scarlet' Malus (Crab Apple) transitoria Malus (Crab Apple) trilobata Metasequoia (Redwood) all Morus (Mulberry) alba ‘Pendula' Nyssa (Tupelo) all Parrotia persica all Prunus (Cherry) Beni Yutaka Prunus (Cherry) most Japanese forms Prunus (Cherry) sargentii Prunus (Cherry) ‘Snow Goose' Pyrus (Pear) ‘Chanticleer' Quercus (Oak) rubra Robinia (False Acacia or Locust) pseudoacacia ‘Frisia' Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) ‘Autumn Spire' Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) most Taxodium (Swamp Cypress) all
TREES WITH RED OR PURPLE FOLIAGE
The rich colours of these trees can make a striking contribution to any garden. However, in small gardens the tempatation should be resisted to plant more than one. These coloured leaves are often seen at their best with the sun behind them so its is worth trying to find a site for them where they will be between you and the sun as you walk along a path, relax, or potter.
Acer (Japanese Maple) ‘Garnet' palmatum Acer (Japanese Maple) ‘Tamukeyama' Acer (Maple) platanoides ‘Crimson King' Catalpa (Indian Bean) x erubescens ‘Purpurea' Corylus (Hazel) avellana ‘Red Majestic' Corylus (Filbert) maxima ‘Purpurea' (Red Filbert) Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple' Fagus (Beech) sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple' Fagus (Beech) sylvatica Purpurea Group Fagus (Beech) sylvatica ‘Riversii' Malus (Crab Apple) ‘Liset',‘ Prairie Fire', ‘Profusion', ‘Royal Beauty', ‘Royalty', ‘Rudolph' and ‘Scarlet' Photinia (Red Robin) x fraseri ‘Red Robin' Prunus (Plum) x blireana Prunus (Cherry) cerasifera pissardi ‘Nigra' Prunus (Cherry) x cistena ‘Crimson Dwarf' Prunus (Cherry) ‘Royal Burgundy' Sambucus (Elder) nigra ‘Black Beauty', ‘Black Lace'
TREES WITH GOLDEN OR YELLOW FOLIAGE
One or two well-placed, well-chosen trees from this group, especially in a dull corner can transform a garden by suffusing it with a different kind of light. However, as with purple foliage, resist the temptation to overdo it.
Acer (Maple) negundo ‘Kelly's Gold' Acer (Maple) platanoides ‘Princeton Gold' Acer (Maple) pseudoplatanus ‘Worley' Betula (Birch) pendula ‘Golden Beauty' Catalpa (Indian Bean) bignonoides ‘Aurea' Corylus (Hazel) avellana ‘Aurea' Fagus (Beech) sylvatica ‘Dawyck Gold' Fraxinus (Ash) excelsior ‘Aurea Pendula' Gleditsia (Honey Locust) triacanthos ‘Sunburst; Metasequoia (Redwood) glyptostroboides ‘Goldrush' Robinia (False Acacia or Locust) pseudoacacia ‘Frisia' Tilia (Lime) ‘Wratislaviennsis' (Golden) Ulmus (Elm) minor Dampieri ‘Wredei'
TREES WITH GREY OR SILVER FOLIAGE
Grey, silver and blue foliage makes for a subtle range of tones and contrasts. Many trees with silver or grey foliage are able to withstand dry conditions, as the hairs or waxy coatings which give them their colour are usually there to help minimise water loss.
Crataegus (Hawthorn) orientalis Crataegus (Hawthorn) schraderiana Eucalyptus (Gum) gunnii Eucalyptus (Gum) niphophilia Pyrus (Pear) nivalis, ‘Catalia' Pyrus (Pear) salicifolia ‘Pendula' Sorbus (Whitebeam) aria ‘Lutescens' Sorbus (Mountain Ash or Rowan) folgneri ‘Lemon Drop'
TREES WITH DRAMATIC PINK FOLIAGE IN SPRING
After the long weeks of winter there are few things more welcome than the colours of spring. The following trees will lift spirits with brilliant pink-tinged foliage.
Acer (Maple) pseudoplatanus ‘Brilliantissimum' Acer (Maple) ‘Prinz Handjery' Aesculus (Horse Chestnut) x neglecta ‘Erythroblastos'
TREES WITH VARIEGATED FOLIAGE
As with strong foliage colours, trees with variegated foliage work best in the garden when there are few of them. They are at their most effective when grown apart from others so that their canopies are low and not too far from eye level.
Acer (Maple) negundo ‘Elegans', ‘Flamingo' Acer (Maple) platanoides ‘Drummondi' Acer (Maple) ‘Simon-Louis Freres' Cornus (Dogwood) florida ‘Rainbow' Ilex (Holly) many cultivars Liriodendron (Tulip) tulipifera ‘Aureamarginatum' Photinia davidiana ‘Palette' Populus (Poplar) candicans ‘Aurora'
TREES WITH FRUIT TO ATTRACT WILDLIFE
Fruit of this kind is often not only very pleasing to look at but forms the attraction for a wide variety of wild life. Yellow or amber berries often last longer than red ones, as they are not as attractive to birds. White forms, such as those of Sorbus hupehensis, are often the longest lasting of all.
Arbutus (Strawberry) all Castanea (Sweet Chestnut) sativa Catalpa (Indian Bean) bignonoides Cornus (Dogwood) kousa chinensis Cornus (Dogwood) mas Cotoneaster all Crataegus (Hawthorn) most Davidia (Dove) involucrate Euonymus europaeus, europaeus ‘Red Cascade' Halesia all Ilex (Holly) aquifolium ‘Argenta marginata' Ilex (Holly) ‘Handsworth New Silver' Ilex (Holly) aquifolium ‘JC Van Tol' Juglans (Walnut) nigra Juglans (Walnut) regia Koelreuteria (Golden Rain) paniculata Malus (Crab Apple) The majority of varieties fruit well, see the Crab Apple section for details . Morus (Mulberry) alba ‘Pendula' Prunus (Cherry) padus ‘Waterii' Sorbus (Whitebeam/Mountain Ash) The majority of varieties fruit well, see the Mountain Ash and Whitebeam sections for details
TREES WITH SCENTED FLOWERS
The best gardens feed all of the senses and choosing trees with scented flowers can make a huge contribution to this process.
It is worth noting that a high percentage of those in flower in winter are scented, so if you plan to have flowers in winter, you will enjoy scent as well. Plant them near paths or sitting area or the boundaries of the garden from which the prevailing wind comes.
Aesculus (Horse Chestunt) hippocastanum Hamameils (Witch hazel) intermedia and cultivars Heptacodium miconoides Laburnum ‘Vossii' Magnolia wilsonii Malus (Crab Apple) all Prunus (Cherry) ‘Amanogawa', ‘Fragrant Cloud' Prunus (Laurel) lusitanica and cultivars Prunus (Cherry) padus ‘Waterii' Prunus (Cherry) x yedoensis and cultivars Robinia (False Acacia or Locust) pseudocacacia ‘Frisia' Robinia (False Acacia or Locust) x margarette ‘Pink Cascade' Syringa (Lilac) vulgaris and cultivars Wisteria all
