Garden Trees Too big?

[gleditsa]

Originally Posted by NJP87

i will keep that in mind, luckily my neighbours don't do much in there gardens, and i have gone for the smaller tree's.

Nick

another small tree you might like to consider is "Acer pseudoplatanus brilliantissimum" which grows to about 15ft and gives a colourful display of leaves which change through the season from pink to green - yellow & red shades,and wont bother the neighbours to much with shade problems!

and another one is the shrubby honeysuckle Lonicera nitada is a small evergreen shrub with a golden leaf, with small insignificant flowers , grows to about 7 ft but can be kept clipped back, ours is home to a blackbirds nest every year, several varieties are available from garden centres,

another one the blackbirds love is the crab apple (Malus sp) they are available as dwarf rooting types , so dont get to big either, the blackbirds love the little apples in autumn

the choice is endless , a good little book that should give you some great ideas is the "Tree and Shrub expert" from the Expert series , usually available from your local garden centre quite cheaply,

[Jez]

Originally Posted by NJP87

Thanks Jez.

On the subject of frozen ground, it has just started to get really cold here and i have already ordered some trees and shrubs for the garden, they are bare root.

Will they still be ok to plant out, or should i put them in large container in the shed?

Thanks for all your help

Nick

To be on the safe side I'd go with the latter!

[NJP87]

Thought so.

Thanks everyone for the advice, youv've been a massive help.

Nick

[Jez]

Originally Posted by gleditsa

a good little book that should give you some great ideas is the "Tree and Shrub expert" from the Expert series , usually available from your local garden centre quite cheaply,

I have the pocket version & agree it is a handy little book to have!

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by NJP87

Will they still be ok to plant out, or should i put them in large container in the shed?

IIRC the usual way to treat bare rooted plants before planting weather, is to dig a shallow (say 150mm deep) trench. Then lay the tree or shrub roots in the trench with the rest sticking out at right angles and lying down at a narrow angle to the ground, and lastly covering the roots with earth.

I'm not sure why this is done, but maybe it ensures that the tree remains dormant until the weather improves, reduces the risk of dehydration, and the lying down also reduces exposure to wind damage. Perhaps a google will give more detail.

Jim

[coasty]

as long as you keep the roots frost free and even more importantly not letting them dry out you will be ok,,, I personally would dig shallow hole lay them in and make sure they have some protection from been frozen, When you plant them keep the roots protected at all time whilst moving them. Even leaving them exposed to a breeze for a few minutes can dry them and do lots of damage..Stake them well and make sure there secure. In the first summer water them through any dry spells...