native tree
Guernsey Donkey2
Posts: 6,713
in Plants
Hi, I am looking for some suggestions for planting a native tree in our garden. The border runs alongside a low wall. I would like the tree to be approx 10 - 15 feet tall and not mind the wind. I want to grow a few low shrubs underneath the tree, so I would prefer a tree with a 5 foot or so trunk before branches develop if possible. The soil is heavy and rich. Thanks
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How about a Mountain Ash GD?
I found this list of trees which are truly native to the Channel Islands which I thought might help
https://www.theislandwiki.org/index.php/Indigenous_trees_of_Jersey
If I were you I'd be very tempted by the idea of the wild medlar
Medlar is a beautiful statuesque small tree. I've only ever seen it with a low spreading canopy, I'm sure you could train it with a 5ft clear stem though.
I have only just read your responses Dove and WillDB and I must say the native tree article is very interesting and informative too , thank you.. However before I had seen this I had rung the local nursery for suggestions and they recommended an Elderberry Tree - well I haven't told my OH yet - he won't be impressed! We have had them before and they do tend to throw up shoots all over the place and are quite a spreading tree in our experience but they are quick growing and do attract wildlife.
I was going to plant shrubs along the wall side as well as a tree or two, but I am having second thoughts now. I will try to put on a picture later today or tomorrow to show you exactly the area that we would like filled again. Originally there was escallonia hedging but this died off - from some sort of disease but not contagious to other plants luckily. So we are removing the dead hedge and would like something else in it's place to make a bit of a wind break as our garden is horribly exposed to the weather from the South and West.
I will look up wild medlar, thanks again for your invaluable help.
Don't be too quick to knock Elder. It is a bit unruly, I agree, but really does come into it's own in late summer. It is a fantastic tree for migrating warblers. Blackcaps especially love the berries.
You might also consider Hawthorn or Blackthorn which are also good for wildlife, especially if you've got a bit of space, neither of which get too big but both like to spread.
Last edited: 15 September 2017 17:34:54
Used to have a wild medlar in a hedge in my former garden. Has lovely flowers in Spring and --- almost --- edible fruit.
Almost Papi jo? My OH says it (Medlar) is too tall and will cast shadow across the lawn (the previous people who lived here used it as a tennis lawn, but I have had my wicked way and planted trees which apparently are a real nuisance when it comes to mowing the grass (not my job thankfully)). The local nursery suggested a hawthorn and blackthorn mix for the hedge too - good for the birds isn't it? I must admit I am in two minds as to planting another hedge (we did find some old nests in it or planting shrubs and bulbs with perhaps one or two small trees, I am not too sure what to do for the best. Attaching a couple of photos of the small area that we have already cleared - the rest will be done over the following months.
As you can probably see the wall faces west and any trees would give a shadow across the lawn in the later afternoon/evening. The wall is about 4 foot tall and behind it is our field which is usually just grass that the farmer cuts a couple of times each year. No privacy issues but the wall and the hedge give a good wind break.
Now that you have shown pictures, why not fruit trees?