The height and structure provided by garden trees enable them to function as privacy screens and backdrops while ensuring year-round interest. Numerous varieties feature flowering or fruit-producing traits and some possess eye-catching bark colors for visual appeal.
Some trees possess rough, ridged bark. The bark of Douglas-fir or Ponderosa Pine features unique plates that create an intriguing texture in garden landscapes.
Choosing a tree
Trees serve as essential garden additions and frequently act as the main visual center point. Before choosing the right tree for your landscape you need to meet specific essential considerations.
Determine the planting’s intended function such as creating shade for seating areas providing a view frame or serving as a wind barrier. Draft a requirements list to effectively identify species that fulfill those needs.
The selection of tree species depends on your region’s specific soil conditions whether they are shady, sunny, dry or wet along with your climate. Your supplier should have the expertise to suggest appropriate species for your needs. You need to consider growth rate when selecting trees because some species grow slowly and may require years to achieve their desired size while fast-growing species like Eucalyptus and Leyland Cypress reach maturity more quickly and deciduous trees provide seasonal color.
Pruning
Pruning maintains garden plant health and appearance by shaping them for aesthetics and removing dangerous branches that threaten structures.
Summer is the best time to reshape heavily pruned plants because the plants develop enough growth to heal from their pruning cuts. Pruning operations must be conducted only when needed while maintaining careful execution.
Gardeners should perform light pruning on spring blooming shrubs like lilac and forsythia within November to February to protect their spring flowers from being lost or diminished. Professionals must be hired to conduct pruning work to achieve proper outcomes.
Thinning densely-branched shade trees and fruit trees enhances air circulation and lowers the risk of storm-related damage. To achieve best results you should eliminate water sprouts along with suckers growing from branch stubs and trunk crotches where two branches meet.
Watering
Garden trees create visual interest through their height and unique shape by complementing shrubs and flowers while offering greenery throughout the year that attracts wildlife and stands as a central feature of the garden.
For optimal performance trees require proper watering to maintain health. New trees require sufficient water to establish themselves as roots develop while established trees may need additional watering during dry periods.
During tree watering activities you should always direct your attention towards their root systems instead of their leaves and trunk. When water lands on the leaves or trunk it can lead to rot and disease. The best method to deliver water to the important root zone of plants is through the use of a soaker hose or irrigation bag.
The amount of water needed for garden trees depends on climate conditions alongside specific site characteristics and soil composition. Insert your hand into the soil to check for moisture levels and water your plants if the soil feels dry to your touch.
Fertilising
Regular fertilization strengthens trees and shrubs against disease and insect attack and helps them withstand temperature changes better than unfertilized plants. Landscape trees and shrubs require regular fertilization programs as essential maintenance tasks.
Fertilizers are complex mixtures of chemical elements. An arborist can help you choose the right comprehensive fertilizer for your tree after soil testing reveals the necessary nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium balance.
Navigating the fertilizer aisle at your local big-box store may leave you overwhelmed by all the choices: fertilizer spikes, liquid drenches and slow-release formulas. Professional soil analysis will provide the necessary guidance on fertilizer application timing and quantity because excess nutrients runoff can damage tree roots and negatively affect the environment when applied in large amounts.