There are many beautiful garden trees - which used to be planted mainly because of their symbolic meaning. The oak stood for characteristics such as truthfulness and strength, the lime tree for justice and love, ginkgo and pine for a long life, the cherry for joie de vivre and birch trees were supposed to drive away evil spirits in the past. Today, however, trees are planted for other reasons, for example to provide shade for the seating area in the garden, as a design element or simply because the garden owner likes them so much.
The snowdrop tree is a beautiful option for small gardens
Tips for choosing and garden design
However, you should not only select your garden tree based on criteria such as beauty and personal taste, because then a nasty surprise might be waiting for you in a few years: Trees need a suitable location so that they can grow and thrive healthily, also depending on the species and Sort more or less space. For small gardens you should not necessarily choose a cherry tree, an oak or a spruce. Here you have the choice between many small or narrow varieties that do not threaten to take up any space and therefore have to be shortened or even felled at some point.
deciduous trees
If you want to plant a deciduous tree, you can choose between countless species and varieties. Fruit trees are not only beautiful, but also delicious. These are available in different sizes and growth forms, so that the right apple or cherry tree can be found for every garden. But there is also a large selection of ornamental trees.
Deciduous trees for large gardens
If you have a lot of space, you can of course put an impressive deciduous tree in your garden. The walnut tree (Juglans regia) is one such tree that can grow up to 30 meters tall and develops a very wide, spreading crown. In earlier times, the species was a popular, shady courtyard tree. A lime tree (Tilia), beech (Fagus), maple (Acer), birch (Betula) or chestnut (Aesculus) are also impressive. There are different forms of the individual species, which provide variety - for example through a special color of flowers or bark.
Deciduous trees for small gardens
Nowadays, however, most gardens are quite small, so that a huge deciduous tree does not fit in - especially since most people have neighbors right next door, who often do not like such an imposing garden decoration due to the shadows they cast. In small gardens, dwarf or ornamental fruit species fit in well, and they also inspire with their lavish white or pink flowers in spring. But small trees such as the manna ash (Fraxinus ornus), magnolia (Magnolia), snowdrop tree (Halesia carolina) or witch hazel (Hamamelis intermedia) are also planted mainly because of their beautiful flowers.
conifers
Unlike many deciduous trees, conifers, with the exception of larch, are evergreen. Its leaves are typically needle-shaped, often pointed, the growth habit is severe with a naturally well-articulated structure. Conifers are extremely versatile: depending on the type and variety, they are suitable for solitary as well as for group planting, are perfect hedges for privacy and wind protection and for designing garden rooms. Feel free to plant different species with different heights, growth forms and needle colors - in the right location you will not have much work with this planting.
Conifers for large gardens
Large, imposing species such as spruce (Picea), fir (Abies), cedar (Cedrus), some pine species (Pinus), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and larch (Larix) only fit into very large gardens far away from the neighbors. These conifers should not be planted in a normal sized garden as they can grow to over 20 meters in height within a few years. In addition, their growth cannot be limited by pruning measures, quite the opposite: cutting off the top can have bad consequences. It is essential to ensure good soil quality and sufficient planting distance so that the trees remain healthy for as long as possible.
Conifers for small gardens
In small gardens, small pine species such as the Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora 'Umbraculifera'), the blue white pine (Pinus parviflora) or the dwarf white pine (Pinus strobus 'Radiata') have proven their worth. The European yew (Taxus baccata) often thrives in the shade and can be used as a topiary and hedge plant. Other beautiful conifers for small gardens are the western tree of life (Thuja occidentalis), many juniper species (Juniperus) and dwarf firs such as the dwarf cork fir (Abies lasiocarpa 'Compacta') or the Korean fir (Abies koreana).
Unusual garden trees
Fruit trees, spruces, firs, junipers… if you are looking for unusual garden trees, you can choose between these species, among others:
- Chinese bluebell tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
- Gingko or fan leaf tree (Ginkgo biloba)
- Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum), also called cake or gingerbread tree
- Sycamore (Platanus x acerifolia)
- Handkerchief tree (Davidia involucrata), also called dove tree
- Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Many hanging or weeping forms such as silver birches, weeping willows, etc. are also interesting and unusual.
tips
If it doesn't have to be a house tree, plant a large shrub - for example a rhododendron, lilac or a service pear.