Trees offer a threshold through which we can enter the stories of the land and nature. During my career, I have had the opportunity to meet many great and wise nurserymen and growers. Visiting a tree farm and walking the fields with these dedicated horticulturists has been the finest education I have found. Most of these nurserymen are living examples of the line: “They have forgotten more than I will ever learn.” Many people have made a lifetime study of trees, and it’s easy to understand why.
In garden and planting design, trees are a fundamental element. They create the green architecture and add the “roof lines” for the planting design. Understanding the height of the tallest existing trees in relationship to the height of the built structures and the new trees you will put in is key to creating the grace of a well-designed landscape.
Outstanding trees make the best focal points in a garden and create essential features within the design. Choosing the correct trees will determine the strength of the landscape. Understanding the existing trees height and form with give you a reference point to how your lower shrub plantings should relate to the whole picture.
The Linden tree, left unpruned, will develop a graceful, orderly branching habit that is well balanced and symmetrical. They can be used as structure and accents in the residential landscape and be counted on to maintain their graceful shape and balance with little or no pruning. The bark is sweet smelling and deer are attracted to it in the spring—they will rub their antlers on them and give the trees a good amount of trouble. This can be easily solved by using tree wrap on the trunk of the tree.
Malus sargentii is a dwarf old-fashioned crabapple with a dense, wide-spreading, irregularly rounded shape that wants to be six-to-eight-feet high by 8-to-10-feet wide. This is what I call a grandmother tree. It is what it is and has the down-to-earth individual shape that reminds me of an old farm tree. It will give the garden an “it’s been here forever” look.
Small, very fragrant, spring blossoms start out as red or pink buds but open to glistening white flowers. Dark red, persistent fruits then follow and these attract birds and other wildlife. This is not a neat organized tree, but it is a special feature for the right garden.
These purple-leafed beeches are jewels in a landscape. The newly unfurled leaves in the spring glow like rubies in the sky. I always feel like Alice in Wonderland when I stand next to them. The red leaf calms down to a lovely deep eggplant purple for the remainder of the summer. The winter shows them naked and exposes the most elegant branching structure imaginable. The bark is the icing on the cake—soft gray and skinlike. It wrinkles and folds over time, and they lend themselves to stroking and moments of deep appreciation. This is some group of trees.
Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ is naturally upright and fits in tight spots with height and style. All hollies take well to clipping and pruning, but this one is naturally an exclamation point. Works well against structures and in beds as it will not outgrow its place.
Acer shirasawanum ‘Autumn Moon,’ what a delight! The chartreuse foliage holds itself in a horizontal manner—it differentiates itself from all the plants near it with this striking unique growth habit. It will always catch your eye and make you think about why it is so special. The leaves put on a show: Springtime is a burnt orange with a hint of green, and the color becomes more intense as the season goes on. If planted in the shade, it will stay a paler yellow but it will grow well in sun or shade.
Japanese cherry trees, Prunus serrulata. I know there is a great deal of elitist dislike for this tree—the bubble gum pink of the flowers and the fact that it is found in so many yards used badly in so many ways. Over time, I have fallen hard for this tree. It is so glorious in flower and the blossoms float in the air and in bodies of water, carpet the ground and create moments of heaven. I often lay down in the blossoms.
Where would anyone be without cherry tree festivals? This is the special tree that makes people start to notice trees. The open vase-like shape and the striped gray-brown bark is lovely. These trees are not as long lived as we would like and are prone to canker and disease. But who cares? They are bold, flashy and intense. Just what the doctor ordered.
Betula nigra ‘Heritage.’ The most agreeable of trees: Like Labrador Retrievers, they are eager to please and grow fast and well. As a multistemmed tree, it offers great opportunity for many areas that a single leader tree does not. A multistemmed tree grove or allée never risks a forced or formal feeling. There is no chance of a lollipop look from a row or grouping of these sweet trees. The juvenile bark is cinnamon colored, and as it matures and peels back, it lightens to a creamy tone. The early spring leaves are a delicate shape and chartreuse (love!), while the summer green is fresh and deep. The fall color is a pleasant yellow. The winter interest of the bark and vase-like shape is tremendous. They light beautifully in all seasons. There is a lot to love about this tree.