I'm looking for suggestions for a tree to plant in a parking area that I want to beautify. I'm located in Southwest England, so the climate is suitable. The soil is clay and a bit compacted since there was a concrete shed on it until recently. Here are my requirements:
1. The tree should reach a maximum height of about 7 meters (21 feet).
2. I'd prefer it not to be a weeping variety, as I need enough space for walking and maneuvering cars underneath.
3. It should be deciduous so it doesn't block morning light during winter for a neighboring property that is not a house but still serves as a temporary accommodation.
4. I'd love a tree that has visual interest, ideally one that changes color in autumn.
5. The tree should be able to cope with shade from my house, which is slightly to the southwest, though it gets sun in the east and south.
6. It should be a native species to England.
7. Lastly, I'm looking for something that's reasonably priced, likely going for bare root.
8 Answers
You might consider a Rowan tree. They're really beautiful and have gorgeous red berries in the autumn. Plus, you can make some tasty jam from them!
You had me at "tasty jam"! Plus, they have this cool folklore vibe, which is a nice bonus.
Ever considered a maple? They have the best autumn colors and can create a lovely smell. Just think about where it might cast shade on your neighbor's property.
Interesting point! I love maples! Should I worry about blocking my neighbor's light?
Rowans are amazing – I have several in my garden, and they turn stunning red in the fall. Just a heads up, they do drop berries and leaves on your car, but they self-seed easily, which is good if you're looking to create a little wildlife haven.
I'd advise against lime trees as they tend to attract aphids, which leave sticky sap all over cars. Plus, anything with fruit might attract birds and, well, you know what that means for your car!
You should check out native trees like crab apple, wild cherry, rowan, and juniper. They all have flowers or berries that make them wonderful choices for the area!
Thank you for the link! It’s exactly what I needed. I’m excited to go through the options!
Avoid rowans in heavy clay as they can unexpectedly topple after a few decades. Look into hornbeam, hawthorn, or possibly Acer species. They tend to handle compacted soil better.
A red hawthorn could be a fantastic option! It produces lovely pink and red blossoms in the spring, and the foliage turns a vibrant red in autumn. It grows to about 20 feet and is definitely native. Just be cautious about the thorns.
Thanks for the suggestion! Do they have big thorns? I’ve had a rough time with them before!
What about Liquidambar? They grow quickly and have beautiful foliage but do keep in mind they can reach heights of 20-30 meters, which might be too much in a parking spot.
I love the look of them! But 20-30 meters seems a bit tall for this space, doesn’t it?
Nice choice! They're native, and I love how they look. Great for jam too!