Planning Seed Varieties for the Trees

Starting to assemble a seed list for some Trees for next year:

I want a few "dot" trees with light-ish canopy to provide some shade (and wind protection) in the new borders. However, perhaps I should be buying decent sized bare-root plants (for speed to get them under way quickly) - or some-and-some ?
Acer griseum
Ailanthus altissima
Arbutus unedo
Betula albosinensis
Betula japonica
Betula maximowicziana
Betula papyrifera
Betula pendula
Cornus controversa

Which are the fastest, hardiest, Euc's?
Eucalyptus gunnii
Eucalyptus perriniana
Eucalyptus viminalis
or these from Moles that will be more "bulk seeds":
Eucalyptus niphophilia 1/2g
Eucalyptus gunnii 1/4g

and trees for the Autumn Colour area of the garden:
Acer palmatum septemlobum 'Osakazuki'
Acer rubrum

 

Hiya Kristen.

Blimey, you must be a patient man I'd never have thought to grow trees from seed. I'm not a plantsman, but aren't Acers rather slow growing? (I'm thinking of Rubrum)

 

Yeah, you're right Freddy. Although there is a school of thought that Eucalyptus will establish best, and grow fastest, if planted out as small seedlings - of course you have to keep them alive in the ground (whilst still "seedlings" !!) initially.

I've had quite a lot of success with seed-raised trees by bringing them on in conservatory/greenhouse for first year. Many will make 4' or more in the first year - they certainly don't do that planted outside!

However, buying bare root from my usual supplier (Ashridge Trees) I'm always surprised now big their plants are - 12' is no uncommon - but then there is the problem that they are £30 or more a throw ... so hence I think budget will only allow "some & some".

 

Hiya Kristen.

"Some and some" sounds like a good plan. There's also the thing about having all your eggs in one basket

 

Good point Freddy. If I dot some bought-in ones around, and then plant my seedlings in a year or two, the result will be a combination of affordable and planned and hopefully I'll have a bit of shade & shelter sooner than if I go just-seed.

 

I grow trees from seed because I haven't got that much money to spend on the garden. With a large garden money doesn't go very far and seeds are free.
I've just planted some cypress seeds.

 

Kristen, I reckon on E. Gunnii for fastest growing.

 

I love growing trees and shrubs from seeds; especially some more unusual and rarer varieties. The seed costs just a couple of pounds where as to buy an unusual or rare tree may cost quite a bit, its so satisfying seeing the end result from seed though...

Yes some trees are slow growers but others get away quite quickly, things like birch and especially alders can get to 6ft trees within 3 years from seed. Other more exotic trees like koelreuteria, paulownia and catalpa are fast growers too. On the conifer side, metasequoia and some pines can be fast growing too.

I believe that young trees always establish quicker than larger specimens and in some case over take the larger ones which can take longer to get away. I have just planted out some hazel that I have grown from nuts collected last autumn, they're almost 12 months old and already 1ft+ tall