The right tree in the right place

A new gardening season is ahead of us; a fresh chapter in the book of life-with-nature. We recommend that we make the best of it and plant some trees. It is important to plant the right tree in the right place and prepare the hole well. Here are some considerations when planting trees and our top recommendations:

1 Small trees that flower and fruit

Small lots and densely populated urban areas are not suitable places for large growing shade trees. Here are our favourite trees that will grow no higher than seven metres and will flower and/or fruit:

a. Dwarf apple trees. There are dozens of varieties of dwarf apple trees available. Our favourite apple for vigour and strength is Cortland. The tree grows relatively quickly and produces lots of great mid-season eating apples.

b. Pears. The lowest-maintenance fruit tree out there. No need to look for dwarf pears, as a standard pear generally grows to about six or seven metres, given enough time. Also, look for Ornamental Pears, which have lots of white flowers but no fruit.

c. Cherries. Sour or sweet, cherries grow reliably in the GTA (zone six). Stella is a great choice for a sweet cherry, as no partner is required to cross pollinate, otherwise you will need two. Sour cherries are self-fruitful.

d. Crab apple. An unfortunate name for a versatile and winter hardy tree. Dolgo produces red fruit in the fall that is suitable for canning. Otherwise, plant crabapples for their spring colour and small to medium stature.

2 Shade: What kind?

For filtered shade, that will provide the cooling effect of a deciduous tree (one that drops its leaves each fall) without cutting out all of the sunshine, look for these winners:

a. Locust. Shademaster is hardy to zone four (Ottawa). This variety features horizontal branching, while Skyline Honey locust produces a more upright, vase shaped structure. Both are disease- and insect-resistant and grow to a medium height of about 12 to 15 metres.

b. Birch. A long-time favourite. They produce filtered shade and the lovely white bark stands out in the winter garden. Look for native birch, such as Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera), as they are resistant to the dreaded bronze birch borer, which has wreaked havoc with the European birch species.

3 Early shade/dense shade

Not all deciduous trees leaf out at the same time. Birch, willow and maples are among the earliest (early May) and Catalpa and Rose of Sharon are among the latest (mid-June). For early leaf cover that lasts late into the season, consider:

a. Maple (Acer). Native sugar maples leaf out in early May and drop leaves in mid to late October. Produce bright yellow colour come fall.

b. Chestnut (Aesculus). Have a close look at the flowers come early June and note that the upright panicle or candelabra features dozens of gorgeous orchid-like flowerets. We love Chestnut trees, but they are susceptible to blight which may not kill them but creates brown-hued leaves that are not very attractive come late summer.

4 Our favourite all-round trees

There are some trees that do not fit neatly into a single classification but are amazing for their own reasons. Here are my favourites:

a. Linden (Tilia cordata). Related to native Basswood. Provide lovely, cool, dense shade. Produce fragrant (green) flowers that attract pollinators (and make great tea). Lindens are winter hardy and disease-resistant. They feature a formal ace shaped structure that fits neatly into relatively tight spaces. There is a promenade of Lindens on the east side of the Royal Conservatory and west side of the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto that will sell you on this species, if nothing else will.

b. Japanese Tree Lilac Ivory Silk (Syringa reticulata Ivory Silk). Ivory Silk is an oval shaped, compact tree (great for smaller lots and spaces) that blooms reliably each Father’s Day in mid-June. Ivory Silk is winter hardy and resistant to disease and insect problems.

c. Oak. Any oak is a great oak, but we like native Red Oak (Quercus rubra) and Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) best. Red Oak (so named as the wood is red) grows into a large 18-metre giant. There are heritage Red Oaks in High Park that are amazing. Pin Oak is narrower and more suitable for the tight spaces of urban life.