What tree to plant.

[DaiTheDragon]

I would like to plant a tree in my garden. It's not a big garden and its in the middle of a housing estate.
My questions are
1 What tree would be suitable for birds, food wise.
2 It needs to be about 6ft when I buy it.
3 It has to be fast growing. I would like to see it grow a bit before I pop my clogs.
4 I would like it's branches to spread outwards.
5 Where could I buy such a tree?

Thanks.
Dai

[Blackbrook Eye]

My suggestion, taking into consideration your specific needs Dai would be a Rowan it is relatively fast growing and hardy and produces berries that last for a good length of time, assuming the birds don't eat them all at once.
I have had one growing in my garden for more tha fifteen years and although initially it grew quite rapidly, it has not grown out of proportion and does not look likely to, all of my feeders are attached to the lower branches for which it is ideal and I get a pretty good variety of birds visiting, including during the recent cold spell a few Redwings.
As for where to acquire a sapling, I suggest that you contact your locol branch of the Woodland trust for local information, I have found them to be most helpful.
Hope this is of use to you.

Keith

[The Woodman]

To expand on Keiths excellent sugestion, you may wish to consider the available range of Sorbus species. There are a number of attractive and variable forms in nuseries and garden centres these days. I think some of them are perfect for smaller gardens.

In my garden there was a small Rowan growing in the rear boundary when we moved here seventeen years ago. It has never really taken off and is currently 12 feet high. Poor stock perhaps or a wild tree that is on poor substrate. I then planted a Swedish Whitebeam to one side of it that makes a magnificent sight when the leaves burst from their buds. This tree has filled out well and hides a view of a garage.

This winter I have planted a specimen of Sorbus "Autumn Spire" primarily to fill a gap where an errant lilac once stood. I chose this species as it is a fastigiate clone of the famous "Joseph Rock" and it has a columnar habit and should not spread. It also has a good colour in the autumn and fruit for wildlife. It is growing between the Swedish Whitebeam and a "Pauls Double Scarlet" Hawthorn.

Have a look at Trees for Life on Trees for Life - Frank P. Matthews Ltd.
They grow some good stuff and I have no connection with them!

[nakedgardener]

A good lacal garden centre would be able to advise you!

A couple more sugestions... an ornamental crab apple, never gets too big, flowers in spring, fruit in autumn.

... or how about a edible fruiit tree... apple, pear, cherry, plum......then you get some friut too, but leave the rest for the birds.... all these come on different root stocks which dictate how large they grow... so get one that will grow as big as you want

[The Woodman]

Finding a local garden centre is quite straightforward. Whether it is good or has someone knowledgeable enough to advise with recourse to the labels on the products is another matter!


Good fruit tree suggestions especially the crab apples that's because I've got one!