Top 10 Trees For Planting In March

March is the ideal time to plant a tree – our proud local nursery supplier has been growing ornamental trees for many years, and have suggested the top ten trees for average-sized gardens:

1. Acer platanoides ‘Crimson Sentry’: Norway maple. This variety has a narrow columnar shape and reddish-purple leaves. Height and spread in 20 years: 7m x 3m (23ft x 10ft).
2. Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Robin Hill’: A small, upright tree, spreading as it matures. Pretty white flowers in spring, followed by black fruits in autumn. Young leaves are a beautiful coppery colour, turning green in summer, then orange and red in autumn. Height and spread in 20 years: 8m x 5m (26ft x 16ft)
3. Betula pendula – silver birch: A medium to large sized tree grown for its beautiful white bark, drooping habit and yellow autumn colour. Numerous different varieties are available. Approximate height and spread in 20 years: 8m x 3m (26ft x 10ft)
4. Cornus kousa var chinensis: Chinese dogwood. A large shrub or small tree with beautiful creamy-white flower bracts in late spring or early summer, followed by strawberry-like red fruit in autumn. Fabulous red autumn colour. Approximate height and spread in 20 years: 7m x 5m (23ft x 16ft)
5. Cotoneaster ‘Cornubia’: Fast-growing semi-evergreen (keeps some of its leaves over winter) large shrub or small tree with white flowers in early summer followed by large clusters of bright red berries in autumn. Approximate height and spread in 20 years: 6m x 5m (19ft x 16ft)
6. Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’: Sweet gum, which is grown for its stunning orange and yellow autumn colour, and deeply cut maple-like leaves. Height and spread in 20 years: 5m x 4m (16ft x 13ft)
7. Malus – flowering crab apple. We sell many varieties of crab apple, which are renowned for their beautiful spring flowers (and therefore pollinating insects are attracted) and edible (when cooked) autumn fruit. Ideal for small gardens, flowering crab apples have an average height and spread in 20 years: 4m x 5m (13ft x 16ft)
8. Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’: Purple-leaved plum (fruit edible when cooked). Pretty pale pink flowers in spring, before its foliage emerges. Purple leaves make this an excellent small tree which is a striking colour. Height and spread in 20 years: 5m x 4m (16ft x 13 ft)
9. Prunus ‘Kanzan’: Flowering cherry. One of the best pink flowering cherries – double, deep pink flowers in spring. Height and spread in 20 years: 6m x 4m (19ft x 13ft)
10. Sorbus aucuparia: Mountain ash. Many varieties available. White flowers in June, followed by autumn berries and wonderful autumn foliage colours. Height and spread in 20 years: 6m x 3m (19ft x 10ft)

Tree planting and aftercare:

• Before planting your tree, water the pot thoroughly and allow to drain
• If planting in a lawn, cut a circle of turf at least 60cm in diameter
• Dig a hole twice the size of the pot and fork over the base
• Sprinkle Rootgrow™ evenly into the planting hole
• Place tree on top of the granules ensuring the roots are in direct contact with Rootgrow™, then backfill with your topsoil (mixed with a bucketful of planting compost)
• Drive in a tree stake a little off centre of the hole
• Remove pot and tease out any matted roots
• Position tree against stake with top of root ball level with surrounding soil
• Replace remaining soil, firming in well
• Secure tree to stake with an adjustable strap
• Water thoroughly, then at least once a week during the first growing season
• Apply some general fertiliser around every spring