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Small trees for alkaline soil

LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,237
in Plants
I've excavated a concrete path in my garden and intend to plant a small tree - I was thinking of a Cornus kousa multi-stem. But because of a layer of slag under the path, the soil is alkaline with free calcium (checked with pH kit and the vinegar test). 

Will C. kousa be OK, and are there any other suitable small, elegant multi-stem trees folks could recommend? Digging out every scrap of slag is not going to be practical.
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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,149
    I believe cornus kousa need an acid or neutral soil. 

    How small is small?

    I should think, if you can improve the soil with well-rooted manure/compost/leaf mold; that a form of prunus or malus would do well there and would give spring and autumn colour.  Parrotia persica may be OK too.  I grew one in my Belgian garden which had deep, fertile alkaline loam.  Sorbus "Ghose" is worth considering too.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,237
    I was thinking something up to 5m (or possibly bigger if rather slow growing) - good foliage and nice structural multi-stem form. I love Parrotia but possibly too broad spreading for my garden.

    The underlying soil is neutral but the slag is pretty deep and pretty alkaline by the look of it. Maybe if I dug a big hole for the tree it would be OK. I'll check out the Sorbus, never heard of that one!
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,149
    Me neither but the RHS says its a good small tree and has pink berries all winter.  Birds prefer red then orange so don't eat the pink ones.  Definitely improve the soil, whatever you plant.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,053
    OH keeps asking can we get some cornus (midwinter fire or similar) and I keep saying we have the wrong soil/climate but of C. Kousa, RHS and GW says it can grow on chalky/alkaline soil, but says add well-rotted manure as it needs a rich soil:

    https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/cornus-kousa/


    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,699
    Good recommendations so far. What about Cercis Siliquastrum, Judas Tree. Interest throughout the season. Canadensis if you like more red to orange tints in autumn.

    I like the willow leaved weeping pear tree, Pyrus Salicifolia 'Pendula'. Nice blossoms, and then glowing grey/blue leaves. Versatile tree that allows you to prune and shape to how you want it, especially in a small space.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 29,149
    Nollie - I grew loads of cornus with colourful stems in Belgium on fertile, alkaline loam.  They loved it but friends on acid clay coud grow cornus kousa and the wedding cake version.  One of those is on my list for here when we eventually get the tree and shrub borders made.

    Midwinter Fire is a fusspot.  Doesn't take well to the pruning needed to keep the vibrant stem colour but, if it's happy (and mine were) it will sucker all over and far away.  Alba Sibirica is sturdier and has better colour IMHO.  I like the burgundy stems of elegantissima too.   
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • purplerallimpurplerallim Posts: 4,845
    How about a twisted hazel, mine likes the alkaline soil and has interest all year. Can be trained to the shape you wish.
  • Silver surferSilver surfer Posts: 4,452
    edited July 2019
    purplerallim said:
    How about a twisted hazel, mine likes the alkaline soil and has interest all year. Can be trained to the shape you wish.
    Corylus avellanna contorta...twisted hazel......In summer I always think the leaves look ill.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=corylus+avellana+contorta&client=firefox-b-d&channel=crow&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRwcL1p9PjAhVOilwKHRu2CYgQ_AUIESgB&biw=1920&bih=944#imgrc=V3WWmNrh75v1lM:

    Love it in winter with tracery of twigs/catkins.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=corylus+avellana+contorta+winter&client=firefox-b-d&channel=crow&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwip0bemqNPjAhUEiFwKHa-vC0wQ_AUIESgB&biw=1920&bih=944


    Perthshire. SCOTLAND .
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,237
    We were planting regular hazel on Tuesday... Basically we were using them as a tough filler plant in a play area but I did like them a lot and they'd be a cheap option. Long term I think it'd be too much of a big bushy thing though, and would probably need hoiking out?


  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,237
    That's me in the hat by the way 😉
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