There is something deeply spiritual about trees, standing silently as they watch generations passing by.
Versatile and adaptable, the correct species will add huge dimension and depth to your outdoor refuge, while complementing existing shrubs and perennials perfectly.
Their leafy stature offers the illusion of luxurious serenity and the ritual of planting a tree is therapeutic in itself, giving an immense sense of satisfaction. Possessing a timeless charm, trees are flexible enough to blend seamlessly into the background, or stand alone as a striking focal point of your garden.
Planting a tree in a small garden sounds counterintuitive. After all, the aim is to make a cramped outdoor space feel more open, so the last thing you want to do is dwarf it with an overpowering tree, right? The answer is yes and no.
Of course, a larger species of tree will engulf and swallow a smaller garden, detracting from the natural light and casting large shadows. However, there are many varieties of smaller trees that are ideal for compact gardens, allowing you to boost the character and personality of your verdant haven.
Image source
At its most basic level, a tree is a low-maintenance feature with unlimited possibility. It can be used merely as a green backdrop to set your colourful beds against, or an intense focal point to plant your shrubs around.
Requiring minimal upkeep, trees are excellent for gardeners who lead busy lifestyles and they survive the harshest weather conditions without much extra care. Trees are healers and soothers, neutralising the pollution and airborne toxins that go hand in hand with city living, meaning your garden will have a purer oxygen quality.
That’s not the only environmental benefit either. In the scientific world, trees are known as autogenic ecosystem engineers. Put simply, this means that they enrich the surrounding environment by modifying themselves. As a tree grows, its branches and leaves evolve to become home to various animals and insects, creating its own little ecosystem and enhancing the biodiversity of your garden. What could be more relaxing than the twitter of birdsong and the lazy drone of passing bees!
Picking the right tree for a small garden
Before settling on a suitable species for your garden, there are a few points to consider.
Habitat
Habitat is a major deciding factor when browsing potential trees. Identifying the type of soil in your garden will save a lot of effort and ongoing maintenance in the long run. Let’s face it, nobody wants the hassle of a tree that requires regular feeding due to unsuitable soil conditions, so it’s well worth doing your homework before taking the plunge.
Height & Spread
One of the most stunning facets of a tree is its sheer immensity. However, there is a fine line between inspiringly vast and downright imposing. A domineering tree such as an oak might seem like a good idea, but in time it will overwhelm other features and block light from entering your garden and house.
The potential height and spread of a tree is one of the most important elements to contemplate when choosing a tree for a smaller garden. Even the smallest species have a growth span of up to 6m, so bear this in mind before planting.
Weeping trees are excellent for restricted spaces as they tend to grow outwards rather than upwards. If spread is a worry, a columnar species is a better option. For tiny gardens or concrete yards, trees planted in large containers are the perfect compromise.
Image source
Trees should always be planted a good distance from your house so that spreading roots won’t undermine the foundations of the structure as they grow.
Placement
As with perennials and shrubs, the aspect of your garden will have a bearing on which trees are suitable for planting. Some species prefer the sunny south to the cold dark north. As well as this, considering the placement of the tree in relation to the rest of your plants and flowers is vital to create maximum impact.
Perennials and shrubs draw your interest along the landscape of a garden, whereas trees are like punctuation points, telling your eyes where to pause and guiding them where to look next. Recognising this will help you to make the most of your tree in the bigger scheme of your outdoor refuge.
Season of Interest
Season of interest is another crucial point to think about. Trees are often overlooked in this regard which is a huge shame, given that they have the potential to bring life and colour to your garden all year round through flowers, foliage, fruit and bark. Incorporating your tree into your existing planting scheme will help it to blend flawlessly with its surroundings.
If you prefer bright vibrant perennials in the spring and summer, then a tree with autumn or winter interest will follow on beautifully, meaning your garden isn’t too bereft when the evenings turn dark and cold. Spindle trees and paperbark maples are popular options for this.
For a low-maintenance garden, a tree with multiple seasons of interest such as the crab apple are a spectacular feature which give an intense blast of colour while flowering, as well as bearing fruit and shedding wonderfully rustic leaves in autumn. Certain species such as willows can act as an architectural interest with their structure alone, drawing the eye into their fascinating web of branches.
Ideal species of trees for limited outdoor space
Flowering Trees:
- Genista Aetnensis
- Certain Magnolia species, such as Pink Beauty and Jade Lamp
- Weeping Silver Pear
- Prunus Accolade
- Certain varieties of Syringa Vulgaris, such as Primrose and Madame Lemoine
Fruit Trees:
- Apple
- Pear
- Plum
- Apricot
- Cornelian Cherry
- Vilmorin’s Rowan
Autumn Flowering:
- Prunus Pandora
- Prunus Shizuka
- Cornus Kousa Chinensis
- Forest Pansy
Autumn Foliage:
- Prunus Pandora
- Cornus Eddies White Wonder
- Nyssa Sylvatica Isabel Grace
- Styrax Japonicus
Trees Under 5m Tall:
- Forest Pansy
- Cornus Kousa Miss Satomi
- Magnolia Stellata Jane Platt
- Salix Exigua
Columnar Trees:
- Malus Red Obelisk
- Prunus Spire
- Prunus Amanogawa
Interesting Bark:
- Prunus Himalaica
- Prunus Serrula
- Acer Capillipes
- Eucalyptus Gregsoniana
Evergreen:
- Eucryphia Milliganii
- Camellia Japonica
- Juniperus Chinensis Obelisk
Maintenance
Trees generally require little attention apart from an annual prune. Removing diseased stems and crossed branches encourages new growth and will ensure your tree thrives.
It is important to prune at the correct time, otherwise the bloom may be restricted the following season. Trees that bloom in early spring should be pruned in late spring, immediately after they finish flowering. Trees that bloom in the summer should be pruned in winter while dormant, or early spring at the latest. It really is as simple as that! The key to guaranteeing that your tree flourishes is in the planting, so plan carefully and you will enjoy your leafy canopy for years to come.
Related Articles
-
How to Burglar-Proof your Garden
Hannah NemethUpdated April 22, 2021
-
Hammocks: The Best Way to Hang out in your Garden
Hannah NemethUpdated April 23, 2021
-
6 Ways to Maximise a Small Garden
Hannah NemethUpdated October 17, 2021
-
How to Handle a Dispute with a Neighbour
Hannah NemethUpdated October 17, 2021
-
How to Add Kerb Appeal to Your Home
Hannah NemethUpdated October 17, 2021
-
Opening Up About Front Doors: Should You Paint or Replace?
Hannah NemethUpdated October 17, 2021
-
22 Garden Ideas On a Budget For a Beautiful Garden That Won’t Cost The Earth!
Becky MatthewsUpdated March 27, 2022
-
26 Back Garden Ideas To Maximise Your Space
Becky MatthewsUpdated March 27, 2022
-
20 Garden Seating Ideas For The Whole Family To Enjoy
Becky MatthewsUpdated June 20, 2022
-
41 Garden Landscaping Ideas For The Perfect Layout For Your Garden
Becky MatthewsUpdated June 15, 2022
-
34 Garden Path Ideas to Add Decorative Detail to Your Garden
Becky MatthewsUpdated March 27, 2022
-
28 Japanese Garden Ideas For a Beautifully Zen Outdoor Space
Becky MatthewsUpdated March 27, 2022
-
33 Garden Wall Ideas To Turn Something Practical Into a Work of Art!
Becky MatthewsUpdated June 15, 2022
-
20 Garden Patio Ideas to Make the Most of Your Relaxing Garden Space
Becky MatthewsUpdated March 27, 2022
-
The Best Garden Wind Spinners
Clive HarrisUpdated June 12, 2022
-
How To Create A Garden Border
Becky MatthewsUpdated June 20, 2022
-
The Foolproof Guide to Container Gardening
Becky MatthewsUpdated December 21, 2020
-
How to Install Privacy Screens in Your Garden
Becky MatthewsUpdated December 16, 2020
-
How to Build a Garden Rockery
Becky MatthewsUpdated December 16, 2020
-
How to Level Your Sloped or Bumpy Garden
Becky MatthewsUpdated June 28, 2022
-
The Best Patio Grout
Clive HarrisUpdated June 7, 2022
-
The Best Wall Mounted Letter Boxes
Clive HarrisUpdated March 12, 2022
-
The Best Log Roll Border Edging Solutions
Clive HarrisUpdated March 12, 2022
-
The Best Weathervanes
Clive HarrisUpdated March 12, 2022
-
The Best Garden Gates
Clive HarrisUpdated March 12, 2022
-
The Best Garden Statues
Clive HarrisUpdated March 15, 2022
-
The Best Artificial Hanging Baskets
Clive HarrisUpdated March 12, 2022
-
5 Best Hanging Baskets
Clive HarrisUpdated March 12, 2022
-
The Best Sun Shade Sails
Clive HarrisUpdated May 5, 2022
-
The Best Door Mats
Clive HarrisUpdated June 29, 2022
-
30 Creative Front Garden Ideas That’ll Inspire You
Becky MatthewsUpdated June 15, 2022
-
The Best Garden Awnings
Clive HarrisUpdated June 7, 2022
-
The Best Garden Pergolas That are Sturdy & Attractive
Clive HarrisUpdated March 24, 2022
-
The Best Garden Arches That Are Stylish & Strong
Clive HarrisUpdated March 12, 2022
-
Unusual Garden Ornaments For Your Gardens
Clive HarrisUpdated March 12, 2022
-
The Best Wind Chimes to Bring Beautiful Sound to Your Garden!
Clive HarrisUpdated June 17, 2022
-
The Best Garden Clocks That’ll Add Real Character to Your Garden!
Clive HarrisUpdated March 12, 2022
-
77 Creative Garden Design Ideas
Becky MatthewsUpdated June 15, 2022
-
7 Fast Growing Trees For More Privacy In Your Garden
Becky MatthewsUpdated September 25, 2021
-
Small Garden Ideas to Transform Your Garden into a Relaxing Haven
Becky MatthewsUpdated January 28, 2022
-
5 Stunning Garden Mirror Ideas That’ll Add Real Character
Becky MatthewsUpdated January 28, 2022
-
66 Creative Garden Border & Lawn Edging Ideas
Becky MatthewsUpdated June 14, 2022
-
Personalise Your Garden With These Great Upcycling Ideas
Becky MatthewsUpdated January 28, 2022