Tree planting: what to consider

There are so many great reasons for tree planting. If you are lucky enough to have a garden with space to plant a tree, this is an exciting choice to make. We would always encourage you to choose native species when tree planting as these species will not only thrive in the British weather and climate, but also provide food and shelter for birds and other wildlife.

But before you go to your local garden centre and choose a sapling for planting, there are some questions worth asking yourself. What do you want your tree to do? How much space do you have? And what is the soil like?

Perhaps you are looking for a tree to provide more shade in your garden or form a habitat for local wildlife. Are you eager to reduce pollution or noise in your garden? Or would trees be ideal to act as a windbreak? Would you like to look out on a tree that changes with the seasons, adding colour and interest to your surroundings?  

These questions are all worth considering as this will help you determine what species of tree to choose.

What species to choose?

A shrub such as hawthorn, sumach or dogwood are great if space is limited- these will remain fairly small if pruned and maintained regularly. They tend to grow well even where nutrients, sunlight and water are in short supply. They also look beautiful and vary year-round, from bright flowers to autumn hues.

Fruit trees such as apple, cherry or pear trees are great if you are looking for a medium sized tree (growing to around 10-12m) to add shade and interest to your garden, but where you don’t want it to dominate the space. They also come with the added benefit of growing your own fruit, as well as boasting beautiful spring blossom.

Trees such as cypress, willow and poplar grow surprisingly fast! So this is worth keeping in mind for the years to come- is there space for one of these species to grow and thrive? Or would it become dominant and problematic?

Walnut, oak and lime trees are fantastic for providing both a habitat and shade to a garden, but it is worth bearing in mind that they can grow up to 20m.

Evergreens such as conifers are ideal for acting as a windbreak. They also help to reduce both noise and pollution, which is ideal if you live in an urban area. Remember to look out for features such as telephone wires as these tree species are likely to grow into them. It’s worth allowing 6 metres or more from any electricity wires to allow them to thrive.

What about buildings?

It is advisable to plant a tree at least 15 feet away from a house or other building’s foundations. This should be increased depending on the size of the tree.

With extensive tree knowledge and tree planting experience, our team at Simpson Arboriculture are always happy to advise you.