Many of the most beautiful trees grow immensely over the years - and sometimes reach a crown diameter of five meters or more. Of course, such a specimen does not fit into a classic terraced house garden. However, there is a tall and narrow alternative: the columnar tree.
Unfortunately, the beautiful yew tree is poisonous
Column shapes are ideal for small gardens
There are columnar varieties of almost every tree species. Some of these grow very high, but remain very narrow and do not form a wide crown even without any pruning measures. These shapes fit perfectly in any garden or front yard, no matter how small, and can even serve as a privacy screen - for example, if you don't want the curious neighbor to look into the bedroom window. However, columnar trees also change their growth form: with age, most become ovoid or conical.
The most beautiful columnar trees
In the following list we present what we think are the most beautiful columnar trees.
Columnar mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia 'Fastigiata')
Growth height: up to 8000 centimeters
Growth width: up to 1500 centimeters
Growth rate: up to 25 centimeters per year
Flowers and flowering period: white, May to June
Special features: deciduous, hardy, fruit-bearing
Golden elm (Ulmus carpinifolia 'Wredei')
Growth height: up to 1000 centimeters
Growth width: up to 500 centimeters
Growth rate: up to 40 centimeters per year
Specialties: hardy, deciduous, bright yellow foliage
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus 'Monumentalis')
Growth height: up to 600 centimeters
Specialties: hardy, deciduous
Pyramid oak (Quercus robur 'Fastigiata')
Growth height: up to 2000 centimeters
Growth width: up to 400 centimeters
Growth speed: up to 30 centimeters
Special features: hardy, deciduous, yellow autumn colour
Column hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna 'Stricta')
Growth height: up to 800 centimeters
Growth width: up to 350 centimeters
Growth rate: up to 40 centimeters per year
Flowers and flowering period: white, May to June
Specialties: hardy, deciduous
Rocket juniper (Juniperus scopulorum 'Blue Arrow')
Growth height: up to 550 centimeters
Growth width: up to 100 centimeters
Growth rate: up to 20 centimeters per year
Special features: hardy, evergreen, blue-grey needles
Columnar Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata')
Growth height: up to 1800 centimeters
Growth width: up to 600 centimeters
Growth rate: up to 40 centimeters per year
Flowers and flowering period: yellow, like tulips, May to June
Specialties: hardy, deciduous
Pillar Cherry (Prunus serrulata 'Amonogawa')
Growth height: up to 500 centimeters
Growth width: up to 150 centimeters
Growth rate: up to 50 centimeters per year
Flowers and flowering period: light pink, semi-double, April to May
Specialties: hardy, deciduous
tips
Ball trees are also well suited for small gardens, with one restriction: there are species that develop very wide crowns when they are old.