Trees for small gardens. Now is the ideal time to plant trees and last chance to transplant trees in your garden

One question that horticulturist get asked repeatedly is, when is best time to plant trees?  The ideal time to plant and transplant trees in Ireland is  late autumn to early spring when trees are not actively growing and are at their dormancy stage. The dropping of their leaves in autumn signals that they are entering dormancy. The unfurling of buds in spring signals that they are leaving dormancy.

Trees can also be planted in the summer months but require a lot of watering, care and are more susceptible to damage and take longer to establish so avoid planting until late autumn if possible. This includes both deciduous and evergreen trees, but there is always an exception to this rule.  Each trees timing varies but generally most trees come into leaf or flower from March to mid-April onwards. This is why I am writing this blog now because there is still a small window of opportunity to plant new trees and transplant existing garden trees while you still can. It is also more cost effective to buy bear root or root ball trees than container trees, but once the dormancy periods ends only containerised trees can be purchased until the following winter.

 The Easter bank holiday weekend offers  gardeners a few warmer days (hopefully) and with the longer stretch in the evenings it is a welcome opportunity to get out and enjoy the garden and prepare it for the summer months ahead.

Sometimes we plant trees in places we think are suitable but then later realise after a year or two that it’s not quite the right spot. It could be over crowding other plants and requires pruning and a new position in the garden so it has the potential to show off its true form, shape, texture and colour.

Its a good idea to take 10 minutes over the weekend to sit in your garden with a cup of tea and carefully examine the structure of your space, taking into account the position and height of your trees.  Are they blocking light, a view, a concealed area of the garden you would like to see again and are they providing  privacy? Is there a tree that birds can perch on offering shade and shelter on a hot summer’s day? 
 If you feel your garden is being over looked or you require more privacy or height, form and some more structure is needed for your garden design, it is really worth considering and investing in new trees that will give more privacy and shape for those long lazy summer days whilst adding seasonal interest  and increasing biodiversity in your garden. Tree selection is very important particularly for small to medium size gardens where space is limited and you don’t want them taking over the entire garden!

Here are a list of trees that are suitable for small gardens and medium gardens and can give you some added privacy and seasonal interest if positioned correctly.

1.       Acer campestre (field maple) 8m, good autumn colour
2.       Acer griseum (paper bark peeling maple) 5m
3.       Amelanchier x grandiflora “Ballerina” 5m
4.       Arbutus unedo (strawberry tree) 8m
5.       Crataegus persimilis ‘prunifolia’ (broad leaf cockspur thorn) 5m
6.       Prunus ‘Amanogawa’ 5m
7.       Prunus spinosa (blackthorn) 5m
8.       Malus sylvestris (crab apple)9m
9.       Sorbus ‘joseph Rock’ and ‘Autumn Spire’ 6m
10.   Salix cinerea (grey willow) 6m 

It is important to buy these trees semi-mature, as it will take them longer to grow and reach the optimal height required for increased privacy because they are slower growing.  They will all provide structure, seasonal interest with most bearing flowers, fruits, catkins or berries and beautiful autumn foliage not to mention the peeling bark of the Acer Griseum.

If transplanting existing trees there are some key points to take into consideration before you start the task of moving them around the garden. It can be a difficult task and sometimes trees don’t transplant well especially if there is not enough root ball. Death can be a common problem in transplanted trees.  I would recommend only transplanting trees if they are under 5 years old. Less than 3 years would be ideal and a lot easier to move but it all depends on the growth of the tree and how established it has become since it was originally planted. The trick is to get as much root ball as possible both in width and depth.

1. Water the soil a day or two before to soften the ground, reduce stress to tree roots and help keep the root ball intact.

2. Dig the new planting hole and have it ready before  transplanting , twice the size and depth and add a good organic fertiliser to give the aerial roots lots of food to build a new root system faster.

3. Tie the lower branches of the tree up to protect them and keep them out of your way while digging.

4. It all depends on the size of the tree and the size of the crown but the more of a root ball you can dig out the better it is for the trees long term health. Using a long sharp spade, slice into the soil approx. 1/3 the width of the crown of the tree or at least 2ft from the base if the truck in a circular motion around the tree so that you can develop a big thick root ball with lots of soil attached to it. Remove the soil around the new root ball so it is easy to dig out.( width and depth varies depending on the size of the tree)  If you encounter any large roots use a secateurs to give clean cuts as this will reduce infection and  the roots will regenerate better.

5. Transfer to its new position and double stake on the windward side and attached a new strap to tree and stake in the figure 8.

6. Water, water, water especially through dry periods, if there is a lot of branches prune 1/3 to reduce stress on the tree.

Trees are wonderful, there are so many health benefits and advantages associated with planting trees.  They give us oxygen, clean our air and give shelter and food, reduce stress and give privacy, so get out and get planting!

 There are many factors that influence the success of transplanting trees. The actual size of their root ball and some crown reduction will give the tree the best possible chance to rejuvenate in its new position in the garden. If you have any further queries on this topic or would like to send me a photo of a tree you want to transplant forward  it through our garden care help desk page,  or if you would like one of our trained and experienced horticultural teams to do it for you contact us on (01) 2048020

Happy Easter and Happy Gardening!