- Tip 1: Choose species and varieties that remain small
- Tip 2: Plant pruning-tolerant trees
- Tip 3: Do not choose too large planters
Anyone who only has a small garden but would like to plant a beautiful tree as an eye-catcher in the front yard can use a few tricks to keep it small. Sufficient space is of great importance for the health of the tree, cramped plants are prone to disease and pest infestation. In addition, large trees do not come into their own in small gardens.
Regular pruning helps to give the tree the desired shape and height
Tip 1: Choose species and varieties that remain small
This tip is the most important of all: If you only want to take care of a small tree, you should not necessarily put a sequoia in the garden. With the right choice of variety, however, maple, chestnut, oak or various types of fruit can also be cultivated even in the smallest of spaces - there is a dwarf variant of almost every species (usually recognizable by the word 'Nana' in the botanical name or the preceding dwarf ). Certain growth forms such as columnar, bush or spindle trees also remain rather small. Otherwise, use trees that have been grafted onto slow-growing stocks. This variant is often found in fruit trees.
Tip 2: Plant pruning-tolerant trees
If you want to keep trees small, you have to choose species and varieties that are very pruning-tolerant. A regular trimming of the crown is essential so that it does not become too wide. With some fast-growing tree species, pruning may be necessary not only in autumn, but also once or twice during the summer months. So-called spherical trees with compact crowns are particularly suitable for small gardens.
Tip 3: Do not choose too large planters
If you keep the tree in a pot on the balcony or terrace, you should not choose a planter that is too large. The larger the pot, the stronger the roots and thus the above-ground parts of the plant will grow. By the way, bonsai growers also make use of this principle: To keep the trees small, the roots are regularly pruned. Translated for tub trees, this means: repot the shrubs in fresh soil about every two years, cut back the roots and do not choose a larger planter. If the roots are pruned, it is also essential to cut back the above-ground parts, otherwise the tree will die of thirst.
tips
In contrast to deciduous trees, many conifers cannot be kept small by pruning, or only with great difficulty. In particular, cutting off the top of the tree is not recommended for many species.