I’ve always loved the outdoors and before I started farming trees, I wouldn’t have known where to start when choosing a tree. To be honest I probably would have just picked one that produced a nice apple. But I didn’t actually know whether it was the right choose for the garden I had at the time.
Now owning Birds Farm Trees I want to teach people about what tree they should get for their outdoor space, for the type of soil they have and how to care for it. Here I’ll talk about how you can choose the right tree!
What to Consider.
Purpose: Fruiting, Privacy or Ornamental
Think about why you want a tree to begin with, do you want it to produce fruit, provide shade or privacy in your garden or something ornamental to provide colour and shape. Understanding this really helps you narrow down the choices.
Space: Your space and the tree’s eventual size
Trees can get big, really big, so making sure the tree won’t outgrow your space is vital. Understanding your space as well as the size of the tree are equally important, will it need space to spread, or does it need to be columnar and compact, how far from buildings, fences and drains will it be. A small garden can still have a tree, you just need to choose right.
Environment: Sun, Wind and Shelter
Some trees love full sun, like fruit trees and sliver birch, while others, like Acers prefer partial shade. Your outdoor space will be different from your neighbours' due to house positioning and how sheltered it already is with fencing. Wind can damage delicate blossoms or certain types of leaves. Sheltered spots can help support warmth-loving tree species to thrive. Matching the tree to the microclimate of your outdoor space is half the battle.
Soil: Clay, Chalky or Sandy Soil
How well does the soil drain in your garden? There are different types of soil, which affect the way plants and trees grow and whether they thrive or not. Knowing if the soil is prone to waterlogging or drains well will help with choosing the right tree. Even though, most trees are adaptable, some have strong preferences, like cherry trees hate sitting in waterlogged soil.
Bare Root or Container
Both options are good, it just depends on when you are planting and whether you want something more mature. Bare Root trees are best planted in winter as trees are dormant, they are also more cost-effective and establish quickly. Where Container grown trees can be planted almost any time of the year are great for specific varieties or shapes. There are also Patio trees, which tend to be dwarf species and are ideal for patios, courtyards and balconies.
How We Can Help
Birds Farm are proud to be hugely knowledgeable about trees after years of learning, nurturing and growing. We can help you choose the right tree for your outdoor space, whether it’s fruiting, ornamental or for privacy.
So before just picking a tree because it looks nice or because plums are your favourite, make sure you consider the purpose of the tree, your soil, the space you have, how big the tree will become and your garden’s microclimate.
You can use the filters on our shop to help give you an idea, but if you’re still struggling or just want to have a look at what trees we have, give Mike a call on 07958 174618.
