Growing in ex-Japanese Knotweed area

Apodemus

Kay_Pemberton wrote: »

I strongly advise AGAINST planting ANYTHING in the knotweed affected area.

I would disagree. If the knotweed is going to come back, it’s going to come back. It needs to be managed for the long-term and that portion of the garden doesn’t need to remain sterilised for ever. Planting a tree that will quickly be above the treatment zone and help shade the area seems like a rational plan to me. The OP is already aware of the need to be very careful with disturbance and with any disturbed soil.

Apodemus

Davesnave wrote: »

I do like the ordinary hawthorn as a tree for wildlife, and its cousins with larger, simpler, leaves and big berries, like prunifolia. I have a couple of those , taken as seed from the lawn outside the gents at RHS Rosemoor, but there are quicker ways!

https://www.chewvalleytrees.co.uk/products/detail/crataegus-prunifolia-splendens

Lovely tree!

Lol, just put my postcode into that website and they want £600 + VAT for delivery to me! :rotfl:

Davesnave

Apodemus wrote: »

Lovely tree!

Lol, just put my postcode into that website and they want £600 + VAT for delivery to me! :rotfl:

I think their smallest size is where I'd start if I wanted that species. If potted, it would have to come from a local nursery to avoid those transport charges. Bare root trees can travel 25 or 50 to a box, parcel rates.

I suppose my largest is now around half way between the middle and large one on that site, but I have a few others including a couple I sowed fresh last autumn and managed to avoid the dormancy. I've learned to bung 100 seeds in a pot with hawthorn, as a few will come up without the 1-2 year wait.

As regards disturbing ground, many of our trees were bare root and small, so we just cut slit with a spade and pushed them in. I do that when hedging too; no time or space for fancy planting: make hole with iron bar, stuff a hazel in, firm with foot, move on...

Apodemus

Davesnave wrote: »

I think their smallest size is where I'd start if I wanted that species. If potted, it would have to come from a local nursery to avoid those transport charges. Bare root trees can travel 25 or 50 to a box, parcel rates.

I suppose my largest is now around half way between the middle and large one on that site, but I have a few others including a couple I sowed fresh last autumn and managed to avoid the dormancy. I've learned to bung 100 seeds in a pot with hawthorn, as a few will come up without the 1-2 year wait.

As regards disturbing ground, many of our trees were bare root and small, so we just cut slit with a spade and pushed them in. I do that when hedging too; no time or space for fancy planting: make hole with iron bar, stuff a hazel in, firm with foot, move on...

Yes, I would normally only ever buy bare-rooted from any distance, it was only on a whim that I put in my postcode. Interestingly, though, the RHS website is offering £9.45 delivery on the same size in a 12 inch pot, although the tree itself is £25 more expensive.

Too early in the year yet for me to want to be planting any trees, but I will keep my eye out for any fancy hawthorns that are in fruit. I’ve never tried planting them from seed as I’ve not had the patience for their likely dormancy, but you’ve tempted me to give it a try.

Farway

Apodemus wrote: »

Too early in the year yet for me to want to be planting any trees, but I will keep my eye out for any fancy hawthorns that are in fruit. I’ve never tried planting them from seed as I’ve not had the patience for their likely dormancy, but you’ve tempted me to give it a try.

Thye will also root from cuttings, carry a knife so if you see one you fancy;)

Apodemus

Farway wrote: »

Thye will also root from cuttings, carry a knife so if you see one you fancy;)

Always do! It’s the MSE way to populate the garden! :beer: