Carbon in the garden: Trees that work harder
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Balancing visual and environmental performance is no easy feat – but Blue Mountain Nurseries has some tips!
Trees have always done the heavy lifting in any landscape. They provide structure, shelter and a sense of permanence that smaller plants can’t match. Increasingly, they’re also being considered for what they contribute environmentally as well as visually.
For landscapers, that doesn’t mean changing direction. It’s about being deliberate with the trees we’re already using.
THINKING BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE
Fast results are often part of the brief. Clients want impact and trees that establish quickly help deliver that. Species like Betula utilis or Liquidambar styraciflua are good examples – reliable, relatively quick to establish and well-suited to a range of conditions.
All trees sequester carbon, but not all do it equally. Faster-growing species tend to absorb more carbon in their early years, putting on bulk quickly. That rate of uptake slows as they mature but they continue to store carbon as they grow. Longer-lived trees, on the other hand, build more gradually but hold that carbon over a much longer timeframe.
It’s increasingly part of the conversation but, in practice, it still comes back to the same decisions – choosing trees that will establish well and persist.
Trees such as Quercus robur or Platanus orientalis won’t give the same immediate effect but, over time, they become the backbone of a landscape. They’re the trees that will still be there in 30 or 50 years, continuing to provide canopy, shade and structure, while steadily storing carbon in the background.
Getting that balance right – using faster growers to get a site moving, while establishing longer-living species – is what will carry the landscape forward.
URBAN SITES: MAKING EACH TREE COUNT
On tighter sites, particularly in urban work, the conversation shifts slightly. Space is limited, so every tree needs to justify its place.
That’s where form and reliability come into play. Upright or more controlled trees – certain Acer varieties, for example – can work well where width is restricted but height is still valuable. Used consistently, they can create rhythm and canopy without overwhelming the space.
It’s also worth remembering that trees don’t need to be large to be effective. A well-placed smaller tree, repeated through a site, will often have more impact than a single specimen that doesn’t quite fit.
GETTING THE BASICS RIGHT
The biggest gains still come back to fundamentals. A tree that establishes well and grows steadily over time will always outperform one that struggles.
Matching species to site is key – soil type, drainage, wind exposure and available space all play a role. We regularly see the same species performing differently depending on where it’s planted.
Allowing enough room for root systems and canopy development is so important. Overcrowding at planting might look good initially but often leads to competition and compromise further down the track.
A LONG-TERM VIEW
What’s changing isn’t so much the role of trees but the way we think about them. Rather than just filling space, they’re being used more intentionally – chosen for how they’ll perform not just in the first few years but over decades.
That long-term view brings additional benefits. Trees that establish well and reach maturity don’t just provide better structure and shade – they continue to store carbon steadily over time, alongside everything else they contribute to the landscape.
For landscapers, that’s a relatively small shift in thinking – but one that adds up to more robust landscapes that continue to deliver well beyond completion. See a list of options in each category below.
Immediate-effect – sequester carbon quickly
These trees establish quickly, putting on bulk early and helping bring scale to a site in a shorter timeframe.
• Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’A reliable, faster-establishing form with strong structure and consistent autumn colour.
• Betula utilis var. jacquemontii (Himalayan birch)Quick to establish with a light canopy; useful for adding early height without heaviness.
• Platanus orientalis (Oriental plane)Vigorous growth and good tolerance of urban conditions; effective for building canopy relatively quickly.
Long-term investment – store carbon steadily over time
These are slower to establish but form the long-term backbone of a landscape. Not all long-term trees need to be large – a number of moderate-sized species offer longevity while fitting comfortably into residential settings.
• Acer campestre (Field maple)Moderate in size and highly adaptable; a reliable option for residential settings with long-term performance.
• Quercus robur (English oak)Durable and long-lived; develops into a substantial canopy tree over time.
• Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam)Strong structure with controlled growth; well-suited to smaller spaces while still offering longevity.
Upright or more controlled – for tighter urban sites
These selections offer structure and canopy where space is limited or width needs to be managed.
• Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ (Upright hornbeam)Strong vertical habit; provides structure without excessive spread.
• Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’Upright form with dependable growth and seasonal colour; useful in streetscapes and residential work.
• Pyrus ‘Awanui’ (Upright flowering cherry)Controlled form with seasonal interest; useful where space and scale are constrained.
Rebecca Hughes has a Botany BSc with Honours and has been Nationbal Training Manager for the Horticulture Industry Training Organisation (ITO) and general Manager for the Community Support Services ITO. She is currently co-director of Blue Mountain Nurseries, a family-run wholesale and retail plant nursery established in Tapanui in 1932.
