Trees in the garden

If you love a natural style, then you cannot do without birch on the site. It is a fairly light-loving plant that grows very quickly.

Not demanding on the soil and easily tolerates frost. However, they do not like birch transplanting. In order for the tree to take root in a new place, choose young birches, no older than 5-7 years. The best time to plant is early spring before the buds open.

But when planting birch trees on the site, you need to remember that birch is a real water bread: in summer, an adult tree pulls an average of 20 buckets of water from the soil per day, which is about 250 liters. So it is best to place the tree away from the beds and flower beds.

For small gardens, choose low-rise species such as Karelian birch. Birch trees are especially well combined with mountain ash, willow, oak, linden, maple, beech, bird cherry, they look great against the background of contrasting conifers. But be prepared that something will fall from the birch all summer long – you will have to clean the lawn and sweep the paths more often than usual.

This evergreen long-liver can reach 50 meters in height and live up to 300 years. Spruce is excellent for creating a dense and almost impenetrable hedges, as well as a barrier from the wind (this is especially true for new, still “bare” areas).

Single specimens are planted in the front parts of the garden, at the gate or recreation area. After all, the aroma of needles contains phytoncides that stimulate the nervous and cardiovascular systems and have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system. In addition, spruce lends itself well to pruning.

If you want transplant spruce from the forest into the garden, then keep in mind: this tree prefers well-drained acidic, sandy loam and loamy soils. Does not tolerate stagnant water and prolonged drought. A planting hole needs good drainage.

Spruce seedlings are very afraid of drying out the roots: in the air, the roots die in just 15-20 minutes. Therefore, when “transporting” a Christmas tree from a nearby forest, be sure to protect the roots from wind and sun by wrapping it in a damp cloth and immersing it in a bucket or box.

One of the most shade-tolerant trees, second only to fir, spruce, beech and hornbeam. Grows well in moderately rich soils with good drainage. Thanks to these properties, linden easily takes root under the canopy of other species. The ideal time-tested planting method is the alley. However, even single trees can decorate the site. In addition, linden has a unique property – it can be cut, molded, bent at any age. Even under Peter I, hedges, arches, green gazebos, balls, pyramids and other garden forms were made from linden.  

Linden is one of the best soil-improving breeds. The leaves of the tree contain a large amount of calcium, potassium, nitrogen and sulfur, due to which, during their decomposition, the physicochemical properties of the soil improve and its fertility increases. Linden goes well with oak, mountain ash, maple, ash, etc.

Just do not expect that the young sticky will delight you with the honey aroma of flowers the next year after planting, flowering will begin, alas, no earlier than 10 years of age. At the same time, the alley, planted from 1-2-meter trees, will acquire a beautiful view.

Perhaps the desire to see this tree next to our house is embedded in our “ancestral memory”: after all, mountain ash was once considered a symbol of fertility, well-being and prosperity. The Slavs called the mountain ash a sacred tree and were sure that lightning was hiding in its openwork crown. And this tree has always been loved for its resilience and bright, but shy beauty.

Unlike many trees, mountain ash does not lose its decorative effect even in late autumn and winter – due to crimson leaves and bright fruits. This tree is not demanding on the soil, but does not tolerate waterlogging and waterlogging. It is best to plant it in the sun or some shade. Rowan goes well with pines, spruces, firs and many deciduous species. Looks especially good against the background of lime and ash, black poplar or white willow. Rowan is also used for compositions with deciduous shrubs: such as spiraea, barberry, rose hips, honeysuckle. In group plantings, it is placed both in the foreground and in the background, planted in hedges… Rowan is an excellent backdrop for many herbaceous perennials.

Rowan is planted either in mid-September – early October, or in early spring, as this tree starts growing rather quickly.

An easier tree to plant is hard to find. It is enough to stick the chopped long willow shoots into the previously prepared loose soil – and that’s it! Willow cuttings take root very well.

But this should be done in early spring – before bud break. Spherical, weeping, silvery – all these willows will perfectly fit into the landscape of your garden: single trees will decorate paths or a pond, and weeping willows, planted in two rows, will create a shady alley. An effective solution is two willows forming an openwork arch due to woven branches.

Shrub willows form a hedge, they both shade and at the same time decorate a playground or playground. And how interesting dwarf or weeping willows look in rockeries, especially if a stream is streaming nearby or a small fountain beats.

However, a lone willow tree on a wide lawn, surrounded by flowering ornamental shrubs or in a company with conifers, whose prickly beauty only benefits from such a contrast, is also impressive.