Trees form the backbone of many garden designs, they are usually the largest component and can be expensive if you with to create an instant impression by planting established trees in a newly landscaped area.
Selection of trees for landscaping will present a number of questions related to the purpose and function of the trees in the landscape
- Ornamental and Flowering
- Evergreen or Deciduous
- Is a Shade Tree required
- Is this a 'Structural Tree' a design focus?
- Large or small growing
- Chosen for foliage or shape
- Is the bark and trunk a feature?
Shade Trees are important in the landscape for a number of reasons, they provide shade for outdoor areas, they provide a cooling effect by shading a part of a house or they may provide protection for other plants in the garden from hot afternoon sun.
Flowering Trees are used as features, and although they may only be in flower for a few weeks the effect can be magnificent in any landscape, flowering cherry trees, crab apples and flowering pears are all popular. Magnolias are a fantastic flowering tree for almost any garden.
Ornamental trees are often used along paths and driveways to create a magnificent entry to a property. Groups of trees with interesting trunks such as silver birches can be planted in groups where their trunks and gleaming white bark are a feature.
Trees with interesting bark such as Arbutus species and Coral Bark and Paper Bark Maples can be a feature next to path.
Evergreen trees in the landscape can be used as screens or windbreaks, many conifer make fantastic windbreaks and evergreen magnolias can make excellent screening plants.
Trees chosen for Fall color are another group that deserve special attention, Maples, Oaks and many others can provide a riot of color in the landscape.
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana imbricata pendula (pictured above) with its pendulus foliage makes an interestin addition to the landscape positioned on the curve of a path for maximum impact.
Consider the growing habit of trees in the landscape, do you require a spreading tree with a large crown or a columnar tree with a very upright growing habit?
If you are looking for something really different pictured above is Brachychiton rupestris or 'Queensland Bottle Tree', with a fascinating swollen trunk that would be a feature in any landscape.
If its flowers you are after Magnolias such as Magnolia Felix (pictured above) are an outstanding landscaping tree, they make a great feaure tree in a lawn or in the garden border. |
