Tower and Town, November 2024 (view the full edition)Time For TreesAutumn is a good time to think about trees whether pruning, purchasing or planting. They provide beauty, shade on a hot day, food and shelter for birds, and help mitigate the effects of climate change. With dwarfing rootstocks to choose from there are trees to suit any size of garden and planting one is a great way to commemorate an occasion such as an anniversary or the birth of a child. What better way to encourage the next generation's interest in Nature than an apple tree that grows with them and provides fruit? Winter is a traditional time to purchase trees and hedging because they are in hibernation and available bare rooted generally at lower prices, while growing conditions are still favourable for them to establish. They come in all shapes and sizes so it pays to consider what is important and do some research. Do you want an evergreen, blossom, fruit, autumn leaf colour, bark effects, screening etc? Is the tree to be a focal point? Some varieties such as the Amelanchier provide blossom, followed by fruit and then autumn colour. It's worth considering shrubs for smaller gardens as you can raise the canopy of some showcasing their stems and giving a tree-like effect e.g. Sambucas and Ceanothus. There's lots of information about this on the RHS website https://www.rhs.org.uk. It's advisable to soak bare rooted trees and plant as soon as possible unless the ground is frozen or entirely sodden in which case keep them in a cool place such as a shed out of direct sunlight, and don't let them dry out. Even if you're not planting, winter is a good time to prune many trees, hedges and shrubs as hibernation means they're less likely to sustain shock. After leaf drop it's easier to see what you're doing too; however do research your particular plant to ensure that you carry out the correct regime. The general rules are to remove dead, diseased and cross wood using clean sharp tools. And finally whatever you're doing, enjoy the annual display of leaf colour, one of the highlights of Nature's calendar. Deborah Schofield |