Which Tree Should I Plant?

Apodemus

Davesnave wrote: »

My argument with Rowans is that I have never grown a good one. I've probably got half a dozen knocking around the place at present and they are too sparse.

Yes, I know what you mean. I have a few that I am still in two minds about whether they are going to be grown as standards or go for a multi-stemmed approach with an overall lanceolate shape. There is a lovely one down the road from me growing wild out of an old wall which has a really nice multi-stemmed shape, having been grazed off by the deer when it was smaller.

How about an Ornas birch for the OP? No flowers or berries but it is a very attractive tree in all seasons with deeply indented leaves and gives a nice dappled light through the summer. There are two outside my south-facing office window and they provide interest all year and just the right amount of sunlight in the summer without the office baking in the direct sun.

fatbelly

I've always wanted one of these, which I think are beautiful.

cornus controversa 'variegata' (wedding-cake tree)

Slow growing, deciduous, variegated but doesn't revert. Claims it can grow to 15m are a bit optimistic. A friend has a really mature one that is more like 5m.

Farway

fatbelly wrote: »

I've always wanted one of these, which I think are beautiful.
cornus controversa 'variegata' (wedding-cake tree)

Slow growing, deciduous, variegated but doesn't revert. Claims it can grow to 15m are a bit optimistic. A friend has a really mature one that is more like 5m.

I've seen those and agree.
If I had space I'd have one like a shot, likewise http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/7426.shtml which is a showstopper

Davesnave

Hmmm....I'd forgotten the Cornus, but now you mention it, my wife has plans for the front garden which might involve that or Betula utilis Jaquemontii 'Snow Queen.'


She can't have both, due to a drive and an existing Oak, but I think the Cornus might be the better choice for eventual size. Love the winter birches in Rosemoor though.

kentishchap

The Cornus controversa looks amazing, unless I can find something better I will go with this. Never seen one in real life, but the pics on the net look great

Waterlily24

Weve got a wedding-cake tree in our garden and it does look lovely. Could never understand why it's called a wedding-cake tree though. I know it's because of the layers but.....

Waterlily24

https://ibb.co/5M4Jj9y


This is our wedding cake tree, I think we planted it a bit too close to an acer.
One of the branches seems to have died off no idea why and wonder if we should cut it off.