Trees are vital for our countryside and gardens in both rural and city environs. The chlorophyll in the leaves absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and converts it to oxygen, vital for human and animal life, and glucose the main food source for plants. Leaves that fall in Autumn are readily taken into the ground by worms and other insects which improves soil fertility. We need trees in our gardens to add height and colour, protection from damaging winds and as food and shelter for wildlife during winter. Trees are large shrubs that are over 12 feet tall so include varieties of Magnolias, Viburnums, Lilacs and Hollies.
November is a good time to plant trees when the soil is moist and the trees are dormant.
If you need screening then look for trees that have an upright spreading habit or are evergreen. Good evergreen trees are Thuya plicata a dense conifer that can also be grown as a hedge and is a great nesting place and snug winter home for many birds. Thuyas make handsome trees and have a lovely Cedarwood scent. A much better option than Leylandii. Photinia Red Robin has brilliant scarlet new foliage in spring, a contrast with its dark green leaves. It can also be grown as a hedge if planted 2m apart. Ilex Golden King is a female form of Holly with yellow variegated evergreen leaves. If pollinated by another Holly it will produce red berries in winter. J.C. Van Tol, with green leaves and a pyramidal habit, has orange red berries. It bears both male and female flowers so is also a good pollinator for female varieties.
Cotoneaster Hybridus Pendulus has orange red berries that cover the stems between September and February a good source of food for birds like Thrushes, Blackbirds, Redwings and Field Fares. Other screening cotoneasters are C. Rothchildianus with yellow berries and C. Watererii with pillar box red berries. Plant the last two varieties 3m apart to give a top screen above a fence that allows you to grow other shrubs beneath.
Sorbus aucuparia, The Mountain Ash, has vast amounts of red berries in late summer and autumn as do many variant species like S. Joseph Rock with yellow berries, S. Huphensis, white berries and S. Sargentii glistening orange red berries. All providing nutrients for birds building reserves for wintertime.
Trees that grow well in damp places include Acer Drummondii with cream and green variegated leaves and Acer Crimson Sentry which has an upright habit and crimson leaves from Spring to the Autumn that then blaze orange, red and maroon before leaf fall. Silver Birches also like moist ground and most varieties are upright and tall with light feathery foliage that creates a little dappled shade. In the smaller garden a Salix Kilmarnock makes for an impressive sight on a frosty day with its weeping stems and catkins in January.
Trees for shaded sites include the Japanese Acers which are best grown in soil based ericaceous compost in a large pot. There are many excellent varieties from which to choose. Protect the young spring foliage from cold wind or frost to avoid damage to the beautiful leaves. Witch Hazels, well known for their remarkable spidery, scented flowers in winter, are another large shrub tree that can tolerate some shade. Their autumn leaves turn to yellow and orange and then shades of red before falling in early November as the flowers appear. Prunus Laurocerasus or Taxus baccata are both evergreen and can be grown as specimens or as hedges.
Many deciduous trees make excellent winter features with their coloured bark. Silver Birch, Betula Jacquemontii and B. Snow Queen, have glistening white bark and yellow catkins while B. Utilis has pink and copper coloured peeling stems. The snake bark Maples, A Capillipes have green and white striated bark and gorgeous autumn leaf colour, A Griseum with peeling chestnut red bark and Eucalyptus Gunnii showing interesting stems of green brown patchwork patterns that contrast with the glaucous blue silver foliage.
Autumn colour is one of the best delights trees can offer from Acers to Cotinus showing a kaleidoscope of yellow, orange and red leaves. Hawthorns, Ginkgo Biloba and Silver Birch leaves turn butter yellow while the Japanese Cherries, best known for their beautiful spring blossom, have glorious autumn colour.
Trees are vital to our planet providing oxygen, storing carbon, stabilising soil, providing materials for tools and shelter and a home and larder for wildlife. Plant a tree now or become involved in a community Tree Planting Project and you will be rewarded for many years to come.
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