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Focal point tree

karajanebateskarajanebates Posts: 24
in Problem solving
Hi i am going round in circles trying to decide on a focal point tree, that won't get wider than 3m, standard/upright shape, that is pretty and encourages birds, roots not too invasive as would be only a few metres from bungalow/drain pipes. The position is north west facing - in winter no sun at all and is fairly damp, in early spring when the sun is lower it still won't get lots of sun, which feels to me not sufficient for cherries and crab apples and amalenchier that I was keen on. Does anyone else have any trees like this in a less than ideal position that still do well? Or any other suggestions please please please?
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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Trees and shrubs wont mind no sun during the winter months.
    They shut down and from late autumn, through winter and early spring and need no sun.
    So long as they get sun during the growing season they'll be fine.
    Waterlogged soil may cause other problems though, but you could make the soil more free draining and have the shrubs of your choice

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • karajanebateskarajanebates Posts: 24
    Here is pic
  • karajanebateskarajanebates Posts: 24
    Pete.8 said:
    Trees and shrubs wont mind no sun during the winter months.
    They shut down and from late autumn, through winter and early spring and need no sun.
    So long as they get sun during the growing season they'll be fine.
    Waterlogged soil may cause other problems though, but you could make the soil more free draining and have the shrubs of your choice
    But when the flowers emerge in spring will they have enough sun to do that? Would mixing grit into hole help for free draining?
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Flowers have no need of sun, it's the leaves that need light to produce the energy to produce the flowers and grow.
    So long as the leaves get decent light, you're good.
    If your soil is waterlogged over winter then you'll need to do something about the drainage. If the soil is just damp over winter, it's not a problem

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • karajanebateskarajanebates Posts: 24
    Pete.8 said:
    Flowers have no need of sun, it's the leaves that need light to produce the energy to produce the flowers and grow.
    So long as the leaves get decent light, you're good.
    If your soil is waterlogged over winter then you'll need to do something about the drainage. If the soil is just damp over winter, it's not a problem
    Oh yeh that makes sense!😀 it does feel quite soggy underfoot but not puddling on surface. Thankyou for your advice!
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Good luck with whatever you choose Karajane.
    It would be an idea to dig in some rotted manure in the area where you plant your tree/shrub.
    Don't just add it to the hole you make. Dig it in a little around the planting area -about 1 metre.
    If you just add it to the hole, the roots will not bother to go searching for food which is what you need them to do.
    Also bear in mind that as your plant grows it'll likely get more sun as it gets taller.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • karajanebateskarajanebates Posts: 24
    Pete.8 said:
    Good luck with whatever you choose Karajane.
    It would be an idea to dig in some rotted manure in the area where you plant your tree/shrub.
    Don't just add it to the hole you make. Dig it in a little around the planting area -about 1 metre.
    If you just add it to the hole, the roots will not bother to go searching for food which is what you need them to do.
    Also bear in mind that as your plant grows it'll likely get more sun as it gets taller.
    Wonderful advice Thankyou I will dig manure in and as it’s a bungalow I did wonder whether it will get more sun as it gets taller. I’ve actually gone with a contius that’s been grown as a standard that gets fairly big over time as it leaves later than the other trees and the smoke flowers don’t happen til summer when we will sit out and enjoy it more. I may get a dwarf cherry too. Too much choice but also very limited! I wish I’d never got the gardening bug it’s all consuming! 😀
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited April 2021
    I have a very old purple cotinus in my garden and when the flowers appear they look like floaty clouds. It's a lovely shrub.
    Amelanchiers are also beautiful - attractive foliage in the spring, masses of flowers (same time as a cherry) followed by berries (which the birds love) and autumn colours-   just a thought ;)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Amelanchiers can cope with lots of shade, and don't mind wetter conditions either. It would only be tricky if there was a real bog there, in which case, it won't be great for many trees apart from willow, and you don't want that near a house.

    Rowans are more than happy in wet soil. There are some which are more upright than others too. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • karajanebateskarajanebates Posts: 24
    Pete.8 said:
    I have a very old purple cotinus in my garden and when the flowers appear they look like floaty clouds. It's a lovely shrub.
    Amelanchiers are also beautiful - attractive foliage in the spring, masses of flowers (same time as a cherry) followed by berries (which the birds love) and autumn colours-   just a thought ;)
    The fluffy clouds are totally gorgeous. Amelanchier was my first choice I can’t remember why I went off it I think the crab apple looked more interesting all year but then it will be a lot of mess to clean up and it may not like the wet winter. I think I’m back to it the robin hill!! I’ll just have to get two trees and space them 😀
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