Trees for small spaces

Trees are integral to our health and the environment. They stabilise the soil, support wildlife and sequester carbon – as well as adding colour and interest to outdoor spaces in all seasons. In this article, horticulture expert Rebecca Hughes from Blue Mountain Nurseries discusses the best trees for small spaces

Firstly, trees of all sizes are best planted in autumn and winter. However, if water is available, you can plant all year round. That being said, there are a few things to consider beforehand. For example, is there enough free space for the tree to grow to its full size?

The height given for a tree is an estimate at 10 years of growth in average conditions. It’s also important to consider the width of a tree and whether it has a single trunk or multiple stems.

It’s also vital to take into account if the tree has maintenance issues that the client may struggle to provide. Ask yourself:

• Is this tree going to grow into a neighbour’s space, power lines or have roots invading drains?

• Will smaller plants co-exist under its canopy?

• Does the space have adequate shelter from the wind, good drainage and adequate sunlight?

Talk through all of these points with your clients in advance. Doing so will help you decide the appropriate size of tree for the space available.

Valuable assets

Trees are a valuable and often expensive asset. A working knowledge of suitable smaller trees for smaller spaces will help ensure the success of a landscape plan or planting.

Acer palmatum dissectum varieties, either weeping or upright, offer smaller size and beautiful autumn colour.

Magnolia stellata varieties could be considered in a smaller site. Also, look for fruit trees on dwarf rootstock for edibles in a smaller site. Espaliered trees along a fence line or frame could be useful in this type of setting.

Here are a few other great options for smaller spaces:

Acer palmatum Beni Hime

Upright dwarf red Maple. Bright spring foliage matures to a copper bronze-green in summer. Orange red in autumn. Ht 1m.

Acer p. dissectum Tamukeyama

Purple weeping maple. Crimson-red, finely-cut spring leaves. Purple-red leaves through summer, turning scarlet in autumn. A strong mound-forming grower becoming a real solid beauty. Deciduous. Ht 1.5-2m.

Cornus kousa chinensis

A great small tree for Southern gardens. Cream flowers from October to late December, then strawberry fruit and rusty red autumn colour. Ht 3m.

Sophora microphylla

A large shrub or small tree with masses of rich yellow flowers. Juvenile plants can be dense and twiggy. Finest native flowering tree. Ht 2.5m. Evergreen.

Liquidambar acalycina

A rare Chinese species with purple new growth and purple red/amber autumn colour. Ht 3m.

Cercis Forest Pansy

Small, round-headed tree with vivid purple foliage and pink flowers in spring. Likes sun and shelter. Ht 3m.

Betula pendula Wades Golden

A small birch tree with golden yellow stems making a special display in winter when the bare branches look their best. Great golden autumn colour. Deciduous. Ht 3m.

Cornus alternifolia Argentea

Layered branches with broad hea

ds of cream flowers in early summer. A most attractive shrub. Deciduous. Ht 2m.

Nyssa sinensis

Beautiful orange-red colours in autumn. Tidy branching habit. Deciduous. Ht 3m

.Acer palmatum Senkaki (Patio)

Magnificent orange autumn colour that holds well with striking vivid coral-red branches in winter. Attractive lime-green spring foliage. Ht 2.5m (Patio - Multi Stem)

Cornus Greenvale

A vigorous small tree with large creamy white flowers in early summer. In trials of hardy dogwoods, this tree has out-performed all others. Raised in Greenvale by Mrs L Paterson. Evergreen with some autumn colour as well. PVR.

Magnolia stellata

One of the smallest growing and hardiest forms of magnolia. A compact rounded shrub with pure white star-like fragrant flowers profusely borne. Deciduous. Ht 2.5m.

Acer p. dissectum Orangeola

An attractive form with smaller, rounded foliage. Spring foliage is orange-red turning to bronze-red with green undertones in summer. Ht 3m.

Cornus nuttallii

Large, white flowers in late spring. Brilliant yellow autumn foliage. Ht 3m.

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Rebecca Hughes has a Botany BSc with Honours and has been National 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.