Which tree?

Discussion in 'Trees' started by Phil A, Dec 30, 2018.

  1. Phil A

    Phil A Guest

    Ratings:
    +0
    We're digging out the triangle of grass behind the new gate and putting down bark mulch to make mowing easier.

    We'd like to plant a tree in the middle but can't decide which one, we had thought about the Kent native tree of Chequers or Wild Service tree but it doesn't like chalk apparently.

    Any suggestions for a tree that has colour in the autumn and berries/fruit that will thrive on a thin chalk soil would be appreciated :)

    DSCF0643.JPG DSCF0644.JPG
     
  2. Marley Farley

    Marley Farley Affable Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    Messages:
    30,589
    Occupation:
    Grandmother Gardener Councillor Homemaker
    Location:
    Under the Edge Zone 8b
    Ratings:
    +14,124
    Slow growing but a Copper Beech would be lovely and Beech love chalk soils.. :SUNsmile:
     
    • Like Like x 4
    • Vince

      Vince Not so well known for it.

      Joined:
      Mar 10, 2008
      Messages:
      1,861
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      North London / Lincolnshire Fens
      Ratings:
      +3,499
      A Kentish cob? Nuts and catkins?
       
      • Like Like x 3
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        47,721
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +84,377
        How Chalky is it?
        I remember seeing some pretty rampant Tulip trees.:smile:
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Agree Agree x 1
        • Phil A

          Phil A Guest

          Ratings:
          +0
          Very Chalky, solid rock a few inches down :hate-shocked:

          Tetters looked in to growing cob nuts Vince, she was advised they grow better in the sandy soil around the Maidstone area :smile:

          Good point, but we'm no spring chickens :old: :snorky:
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Agree Agree x 1
          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

            Joined:
            Jan 9, 2005
            Messages:
            47,721
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Mid Kent
            Ratings:
            +84,377
            Bonsai, its the only way to go.:biggrin:
             
            • Funny Funny x 2
            • Agree Agree x 1
            • Ned

              Ned Evaporated

              Joined:
              Apr 25, 2017
              Messages:
              2,309
              Occupation:
              Prime Minister
              Location:
              The Moon
              Ratings:
              +5,404
              You could well be right Pete :old:
               
              • Funny Funny x 1
              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                Joined:
                Jan 9, 2005
                Messages:
                47,721
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Retired
                Location:
                Mid Kent
                Ratings:
                +84,377
                Unless you really wanted a big tree there I'd go for a bed of tropical looking plants that you can change each year,
                Zigs needs something to do:biggrin:
                 
                • Agree Agree x 1
                • Funny Funny x 1
                • Ned

                  Ned Evaporated

                  Joined:
                  Apr 25, 2017
                  Messages:
                  2,309
                  Occupation:
                  Prime Minister
                  Location:
                  The Moon
                  Ratings:
                  +5,404
                  So far I think the Tulip tree (Liriodendron) might well be in the lead, as, although it is quite a broad shape, the others on site are pretty easy to mow around, are fast growing, deciduous (to help with Lord Awful`s leaf mould contributions) and give shade. The ones that already grow here are indeed doing well on the chalky conditions, and are quite ornamental.

                  We also considered Fagus, either Dawyck Gold -or Dawyck Purple, but they are fairly slow.

                  Pete, would those lovely ginger plants you brought over like that situation?

                  Thank you all so much for your suggestions :):):)
                   
                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                  Joined:
                  Jan 9, 2005
                  Messages:
                  47,721
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Retired
                  Location:
                  Mid Kent
                  Ratings:
                  +84,377
                  Probably slightly too exposed for gingers I'd say, bearing in mind your situation.
                  Against the house wall, or near, would be my suggestion for them next spring.

                  How about the Variegated version of the tulip tree?
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • Agree Agree x 1
                  • Sheal

                    Sheal Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Feb 2, 2011
                    Messages:
                    35,546
                    Gender:
                    Female
                    Location:
                    Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
                    Ratings:
                    +52,317
                    A golden Yew (Taxus) would work Tetters, but I'm not sure how you feel about that on the camp site - from a poisonous point of view?
                     
                    • Friendly Friendly x 2
                    • Phil A

                      Phil A Guest

                      Ratings:
                      +0
                      Less work :thumbsup:

                      DSCF0649.JPG
                       
                      • Funny Funny x 1
                      • silu

                        silu gardening easy...hmmm

                        Joined:
                        Oct 20, 2010
                        Messages:
                        3,682
                        Gender:
                        Female
                        Location:
                        Igloo
                        Ratings:
                        +8,083
                        Maybe consider Acer Griseum. Perhaps a bit too small and slow growing for what you require but lovely tree. Good autumn colour and has the best bark for peeling:)
                         
                        • Friendly Friendly x 1
                        • noisette47

                          noisette47 Total Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Jan 25, 2013
                          Messages:
                          5,863
                          Gender:
                          Female
                          Location:
                          Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine
                          Ratings:
                          +13,965
                          Euonymous europaeus? Spindle tree. Likes chalky soil, apparently. So does Cotoneaster lactaeus, which can be trained as a weeping standard.
                           
                          • Like Like x 1
                          • Friendly Friendly x 1
                            Last edited: Dec 31, 2018
                          • pete

                            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                            Joined:
                            Jan 9, 2005
                            Messages:
                            47,721
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Occupation:
                            Retired
                            Location:
                            Mid Kent
                            Ratings:
                            +84,377
                            Multi stemmed birch.
                            I was thinking of spindle tree, but the one I have is a bit weedy.:smile:
                            Different looking "berries", red and orange.
                             
                            • Like Like x 2
                            • Agree Agree x 1
                            Loading...

                            Share This Page

                            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                              Dismiss Notice