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Large trees in pots.

madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
A few discussions recently have been asking about largish trees kept in pots.
These trees in these photos have been growing for at least 20 years in pots and as far as I can see have never been re-potted!
There are a couple of acers,a silver birch,an acacia? and large magnolias.



“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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  • My goodness, I would never think to plant a potentially large tree in a pot - if they were in an exposed situation they would have blown down years ago. However I can see that they are not and there is a gate or fence in front too.  As for water and roots - they must need an almost constant supply of water.  The windows/rooms behind those trees must be totally in the dark.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    edited July 2018
    They have lovely views over Cowes seafront so the trees are really 'at the back'.
    Pretty sheltered as they are on the main (pedestrianised) street.It was really just to show it can be done but as you say a lot of maintenance would be needed!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • jardersjarders Posts: 5
    Wow they look gorgeous i love trees. So it is possible to grow trees in a pot successfully 😊
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    My goodness, I would never think to plant a potentially large tree in a pot - if they were in an exposed situation they would have blown down years ago.
    I notice they've had to attach guy lines to the fencing though. I wonder if the roots go down into the paving under the pots at all.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Have they really been there a long time or do they just look as if they have?  Some landscape specialist nurseries lift trees and plant them in pots like that for displays ... they rarely last for many years ... some landscape businesses hire them out, look after them, replace them as and when ... 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    edited July 2018
    Have they really been there a long time or do they just look as if they have?  Some landscape specialist nurseries lift trees and plant them in pots like that for displays ... they rarely last for many years ... some landscape businesses hire them out, look after them, replace them as and when ... 
    Yes they have been there a long time,I have been watching them for at least 20 years and watched them grow!
    Just to check I Googled street view and in 2011 they were exactly as they are now,same trees and same pots!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Then someone's looking after them really well  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Like WE, I wonder if they lifted out some sections of bricks prior to planting, allowing the roots to go down and help anchor the tree.  I don't see any guide wires.  
    MP, go push one over a little bit for us, and see if the roots are down through the bottoms.   ;)
    Utah, USA.
  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150
    On our street there is a house with fence to fence block paving at the front. When a new family moved in they seemed to put a dwarf wall of loose laid paviours around the perimeter, two bricks high and approx a foot deep from the fence.

    It's planted up with allsorts.
    There's a small birch tree, a eucalyptus, wisteria, camelias, roses and more. They must've removed the bricks below and used them build the wall. I'm astounded that they not only survive but thrive in such a restricted area.

    I have a 6ft acer tree in a large pot which takes a lot of watering to keep it looking good. I take my hat off to whoever is caring for the trees in madpenguins photos 😃.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    I would assume that all the roots are contained within the pot as there is no sign oy any disturbance to the surrounding paving.If roots had got under the paving you would surely see some 'buckling' of the paving much as you see when large trees are growing in pavements.
    There are some guide ropes presumably to stop them swaying too much.
    I think it is the massed planting that makes it look lush but if each tree was seen on its own it would probably not look so impressive.When you actually take a close look at the individual trees they are tall but 'spindly' though very healthy.

    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
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