Family tree

My godmother planted a tree on the birth of each of her three sons. They have long flown the nest and she too has moved on, but I still pass their old front garden occasionally and see the trees continuing to grow strongly and it recalls nice memories.

Trees have perhaps the greatest beneficial impact on the landscape, and on us, than any other type of plant. They have long been valued as a crop, used to filter polluted air in cities and are increasingly being seen as one way to help reduce carbon in the atmosphere, as well as increase biodiversity. 

The value of trees is no less significant in gardens. They have flowers, berries, textured bark, autumn colour and even in the dead of winter the tracery of their branches will be beautifully silhouetted against the grey sky. They also come in all shapes and sizes so there will always be a specimen to suit any garden.

Most trees flower in the spring of course with the cherries and crab-apples leading the way, but the autumn-flowering cherry (Prunus ‘Autumnalis Rosea’), pictured below, provides a little magic well into winter. Autumn colour and berries have been excellent this year with the mountain ash, also pictured below, perhaps being the pick of the bunch. And while birch trees continue to be popular, and a common sight in gardens, this does not seem to diminish their charm, right through the year.

In terms of design trees also have a major role to play. Their presence provides structure that holds the garden together and, much like pergolas, the presence of a canopy overhead helps make a garden feel human in scale.

Increasingly the value of trees is being recognised too in terms of their contribution to our well-being. A report commissioned by the Forestry commission in 2010 stated ‘…there is…. strong evidence that trees and woods can provide restorative and therapeutic benefits and improve cognitive functioning……’  So if you weren’t already convinced they are now officially good for our health (although I think we already knew that really!).

If you want to get out there and start planting, winter is a good time (provided the ground is not frozen solid or waterlogged), particularly for deciduous trees, which can be planted as bare-root specimens. Don’t forget to stake them firmly, and water well in the first spring and summer, and you will be repaid many-fold.

In honour of the Queen’s diamond jubilee the Woodland Trust is also planning to plant 6 million trees in 2012, some of which they will be providing for free to schools, communities and landowners willing and able to plant a ‘jubileee’ wood. You can get more information at jubileewoods.org.uk.