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Gardening

Advice on suitable tree

(13 Posts)
M0nica Fri 02-Sept-16 18:34:51

Last year we took a large yew tree out of boundary as it was getting too big and shedding too much shade, The lawn was 90% moss.

I want to replace it with two deciduous trees with a light (quantity, not colour) canopy that will only throw dappled shade in summer and virtually none in winter, rather than the heavy dark year long shadow caused by the yew. I have planted a silver birch, and the obvious second choice is rowan, but there are already 2 rowan trees in the boundary and I do not want a third but cannot identify another similar sized suitable tree.

Can any gardening experts among the GN community make any suggestions?

Maranta Fri 02-Sept-16 19:03:19

How about Amelanchier? Not a native but has white blossom and colourful foliage in spring, berries and good autumn colour. It can be grown as a multi stemmed shrub or small tree.

J52 Fri 02-Sept-16 19:30:23

Id second an Amelanchier, beautiful trees. We also have a Eucyliptus tree that is a lovely grey green shade and an elegant shape that sways gently in the wind. Some varieties do not grow too large.

Mildred Fri 02-Sept-16 19:30:27

What about a cornus lots of different sizes, some are evergreen however. Or a magnolia stellata which has beautiful flowers on bare branches. Or an acer. Envy you looking through the catalogues.

Greyduster Fri 02-Sept-16 19:42:33

DD has a lovely Tibetan Cherry in her garden. Lovely shiny red peeling bark is very attractive especially when the light is behind it.

Wobblybits Fri 02-Sept-16 19:55:34

Crab apples are lovely small/medium trees. They are native and therefore provide food for birds etc. You get the flowers in spring and the red/yellow fruits stay on all winter (if the birds allow)

janeainsworth Fri 02-Sept-16 20:13:52

I have a cercidiphyllum japonica Monica. It isn't a big or fast growing tree.
In spring the new leaves are bronze coloured, then they go green and then a fiery red in autumn.
The canopy is quite light and gives dappled shade.

Mildred Fri 02-Sept-16 20:58:41

Let us know your decision please M0nica

janeainsworth Sat 03-Sept-16 02:13:50

Monica This is my cercidiphyllum japonica.

kittylester Sat 03-Sept-16 08:06:26

That's lovely jane!

I'd second chap apples. They have something going on all the time.

midgey Sat 03-Sept-16 09:32:10

Ooh where do I get a chap apple? Sounds amazing! Seriously a crab apple would be really pretty.

M0nica Sat 03-Sept-16 15:31:11

Many thanks for all your suggestions. I already have 2 crab apples and a magnolia elsewhere in the garden, but I like the look of the c.japonica and will have a look at the others mentioned. Those with autumn colour really appeal to me as I love autumn and its leaf colour and to look out of my kitchen window and see something dramatic would be nice.

Liaise Mon 19-Sept-16 19:27:42

How about cercis. Green or purple. The leaves are beautiful.