A Small Tree for a Small Garden?

Question

My wife and I have quite a small garden, and when the house was built in 2002, a Silver Birch was planted near the bottom of the garden. However, it has grown so fast, it is now taking over, and the roots are spreading along the surface of the ground, catching on the lawn mower and threatening to come up through the bottom of the shed.

We think we'll remove it while it is still quite young, but would like an alternative to hang our bird boxes from that won't take over so much.

We're not clued up on this kind of thing really.

Any ideas?

Answer 1

Prunus amanogowa,the poplar cherry-which has an upright growth habit and is a narrow tree with pink spring flowers.

Grow a  white Clematis montana Alba through the branches for later colour and the branches are sturdy enough for bird boxes.

Answer 2

I love the suggestions of Acers they are my favourite but they need shelter & protection from full sun, Id suggest a Weeping Pear tree they have a silver leaf & later a small ornamental pear, theyre not so common as cherry trees & its good to have something different, an alternative would be a Viburnum bodnant tense (more of a shrub than tree) this flowers in late Winter & also has a brilliant scent1

Answer 3

japanese maples come in smaller versions and are very pretty.

Answer 4

you don't mention your locality this can always be a vital point in making decisions regarding type of plant

by smaller a japanese maple (acers) will always be very pretty with the variety of colours. you could also try some fruit trees these you can keep to a set height and size without to much trouble.

however the fact of trying to house and feed birds is a much different matter because none of these or some of the suggestions will be of any help. you may be better advised to look for another means of looking after the wildlife with tables and feeders from a fence or shed or even the house.

Answer 5

It is a matter of what you have in your garden.  The weeping trees and ornamentals are small enough to stay out of the way, yet large enough to hang a bird feeder.  Something like a flowering almond or weeping peashrub.  Some of the japanese maples like crimson queen are REALLY small, you won't hang anything from them.  Blood good grows quickly and will in 20 years get to be a medium sized tree, maybe 12-14 feet tall.  Weeping mulberry is a popular choice too, personally I don't like them but they are poplar.

Answer 6

there are cool large banzai trees

Answer 7

A pretty acer tree

Answer 8

This is personal choice but I would recommend an Amelanchior tree.  This is very good value as it has small flowers early in the year and beautiful foliage which give beautiful colour in the autumn.  It does not grow all that big, but check with your local nursery and enjoy your garden.

Best wishes

Answer 9

It is really personal opinion which is going to decide on which tree you will want to plant, but my choices would be either a honey locust (slightly messy but a beautiful shade tree) or a Mountain Ash (not a true ash tree and it will not be bothered by the emerald ash borer if that is a problem in your area.) This tree also produces berries which birds love!

My suggestion would be to go to a company website such as http://www.musserforests.com/ and look at the different trees which will grown in your zone, then go to your local nursery and see if they have what you like or if they can order a specimen in for you.

Answer 10

Albizia julibrissin or silk tree is a lovely one, it has mimosa-like leaves and pinkish feathery flowers. Acacia pravissima is a gorgeous small weeping tree with tiny triangular leaves and yellow fluffy flowers in winter/early spring. Both are unusual and may not be in all the garden centres but they are easily available in specialist nurseries.

Answer 11

Magnolia?  Laburnum? Rowan or Mountain Ash? Malus? Prunus?

Answer 12

Go to a reputable nursery in your area.  Your request isn't unusual in this day of small backyards.  I wouldn't go to the nursery in a big box store for advice.