Trees at home Have you ever wanted to plant a tree or hedge in your garden but didn't know where to start? Even the smallest plot can accommodate a tree - we tell you how to find the one that's right for you.

In this article

Choosing a tree

Suggested trees

When to plant your tree

It may take a little detective work to find which trees and shrubs will suit your garden, but if you consider how much space you have, and how much space the tree will need when it's fully matured, the tree should be able to grow with little or no major tree surgery needed. Trees will grow larger until maturity at a rate of between 10cm (4in) and 1m (3ft) per year. Use our guide below for a selection of small, medium and large trees.

Look at surrounding parks and gardens and see which trees are flourishing so that you have an idea of what trees or shrubs grow best in your local conditions. Try to source your saplings from locally grown stock because they're more likely to thrive than plants grown hundreds of miles away.

When you're considering the position of your tree, try to plant it away from houses, greenhouses and sheds in case of storm damage. A good rule is to plant no nearer than 80 per cent of the tree's projected height so that, should the tree fall, it will cause minimal damage.

Positioning is key - as the tree grows it could block you or your neighbours' view, the roots could disrupt paths, walls and foundations, and the branches could interfere with overhead lines. Taking these issues into consideration before you plant will save problems occurring in the future. If you're in doubt, call an expert in for advice.

Once you’ve chosen your spot, there are many trees to choose from. Here are some ideas:

• Small trees (s) (up to 6m at 20 years old):
  • spindle tree, Euonymus fortunei
  • dogwood, Cornus alba
  • box, Buxus sempervirens
  
  
• Medium trees (m) (6-12m at 20 years old):
  • field maple, Acer campestre
  • manna ash, Fraxinus ornus
  • maidenhair tree, Gingko biloba
  
  
• Large trees (l) (over 12m at 20 years old):
  • english oak, Quercus robur
  • beech, Fagus sylvatica
  • ash, Fraxinus excelsior
  • cedar, Cedrus atlantica
  
  
• Good for colour
  • false acacia, Robinia pseudoacacia, (m)
  • japanese maple, Acer palmatum, (s)
  
  
• Trees for windy sites
  • eucalyptus, Eucalyptus gunnii, (l)
  • common alder, Alnus glutinosa, (m)
  • hornbeam, Carpinus betulus, (m)
  
  
• Shady trees
  • horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanum, (l)
  • beech, Fagus sylvatica, (l)
  • indian bean tree, Catalpa bignonioides, (m)
  
  
• Fast-growing
  • tree of heaven, Ailanthus altissima, (l)
  • giant redwood, Sequoiadendron giganteum, (l)
  • eucalyptus, Eucalyptus gunnii, (l)
  
  
• Slow-growing
  • dogwood, Cornus alba, (s)
  • box, Buxus sempervirens, (s)
  
  
• Trees with decorative fruit
  • holly, Ilex aquifolium , (s)
  • juniper, Juniperus communis, (s)
  • chilean pine, Araucaria araucana, (m)
  
  
• Good for wildlife
  • field maple, Acer campestre, (m)
  • yew, Taxus baccata, (s)
  
  

Generally, you can plant trees at any time if they have been grown in a container, providing that the ground isn't frozen. If planting bare-root trees it is best to do this between November and March when they are dormant. However, certain types of tree respond better at particular times of year:

• plant half-hardy species in the spring
• plant deciduous species before Christmas
• plant evergreens either early in October or late in March

Ever thought of growing your own trees from seed? Try our simple guide to seed-gathering, or watch Tony's tree tips on planting, pruning and mulching.

Tree facts are from Trees in Your Ground published by The Tree Council.