Does size matter?

Planting large trees.

When it comes to it, why are small trees being planted when large trees are better for the long term?

Tree planting - As landscape architects, designers and tree experts, we are asked to design new planting schemes for parks and recreation, street planting and new housing developments. Where we can, we will try to plant large trees. On looking around us the choice of tree species usually used by others is poor. Why is this?

Why use a small tree such as a Sorbus aucuparia (Mountain Ash) in a public park when a large one such as a Quercus robur, (English Oak) or a Liquidambar styraciflua,a beautiful tree with stunning crimson colouring in autumn, would, when happily placed, suit the site so much better? Perhaps the people who have chosen the small trees have played safe because of a lack of understanding. On so many occasions, a larger tree would have been so much better, providing more shade and shelter; in the right place a large tree will not require continual tree pruning.

Right Tree - right place

London plane is a tree with one of the largest spreads of canopy. If planting London planes a large site is required, perhaps not the best everyday choice for a street tree? However, that is not so, they are a brilliant specimen street tree where space allows. Could they be used in the local supermarket car park? Why not? A large tree would give shade to cars parked underneath, would provide habitat, making car parks and shopping areas a much more pleasant place to be.

Tree planting tips.

Know your soil type and pH. Is it clay or sandy? Is it acid or neutral, or maybe even alkaline in pH?

Does your site have a micro climate such as a frost hollow, or is it exposed to high winds?

Size of the site; for a very small site, a small tree such as a rowan. However, for a large site, why not plant a large tree; this will become an important tree and a valuable landscape asset when mature.

If planting a tree, you need to know; how big the tree will be when mature, the useful life expectancy of the tree, other information, such as, does this tree drop branches? Are the roots of this species likely to cause problems with the drains? This all goes back to good tree selection.

The RHS site has a plant selector http://apps.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantselector/default.aspx This could help, or type the name on google; alternatively you can email us your tree enquiries to;
charmaine@landvision.co.uk or telephone us on (01892) 782200