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Could I get advice on my young trees and what care they need over winter please?

JignatorJignator Posts: 12
in Plants
This summer, we planted the following young trees in our garden:

Red Robin 1/2 Std (Photinia)Prunus Iusitanica 'Angustifolia'Eucalyptus GunniiPhotinia X Fraseri 'Carre Rouge'Bay Laurel treeFlamingo tree
Would anyone be able to advise if I need to do anything to ensure they last for years - do they need specific care over the winter or frost please? I have read mixed things around bagging them to protect from frost etc and as an amateur gardener, could do with some help please! They are all in the ground so can't be potted and brought inside but just wondered what I can do to help make sure they live on. Attaching photos so you can see their current size.



Thanks in advance for any tips you can give.
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  • JignatorJignator Posts: 12
    • Red Robin 1/2 Std (Photinia)
    • Prunus Iusitanica 'Angustifolia'
    • Eucalyptus Gunnii
    • Photinia X Fraseri 'Carre Rouge'
    • Bay Laurel tree
    • Flamingo tree
    Not sure why the bullet points format didn't pull through in my original post
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    Hi, where are you located? All of those would need no protection at all in my garden but it might be different if you are in a really cold part of the country.

    Besides the climate there are a couple of things you might want to look into, the first being it's better to keep a clear area under the plants to begin with as the grass will hamper them, the second is that if that is the normal eucalyptus gunnii cultivar then it will grow very big, very fast, they arent really great trees for near a house (you can coppice them to keep them small).  
  • JignatorJignator Posts: 12
    thevictorian said:
    Hi, where are you located? All of those would need no protection at all in my garden but it might be different if you are in a really cold part of the country.

    Besides the climate there are a couple of things you might want to look into, the first being it's better to keep a clear area under the plants to begin with as the grass will hamper them, the second is that if that is the normal eucalyptus gunnii cultivar then it will grow very big, very fast, they arent really great trees for near a house (you can coppice them to keep them small).  
    Thank you for your reply! I am in the Midlands - Northamptonshire so I guess not too cold?

    Ah yes we planned to remove a round patch of grass around each tree and put stones there instead but it remains on the list - will look into that again.

    Thanks for the tip around the eucalyptus - we will keep a eye on it! 
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Your location, soil type and aspect would help with advice.  I would say that all the trees you list are hardy in most situations but, of course, much depends on this winter's weather and where you are located.
    I would just add that the "lollipop" ones are perhaps more at risk of some winter damage but hopefully others will be able to help :)
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    As well as clearing around the root area by creating a circle of earth around the trunk of each plant, you could also add a layer of mulch about 2 inches thick to protect the roots from freezing. Use organic material such as garden compost, farmyard manure or soil conditioner rather than ordinary multi purpose compost. All your plants are hardy so should survive a normal winter.  If severe weather is forecast, your flamingo tree may benefit from a layer or jacket of horticultural fleece over the foliage. This link explains the benefits of mulching:

    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    If you are in Northants are you on a wet heavy clay soil? There is a Photinia near here that lost all of it's leaves last winter due to excess wet then cold temperatures. This spring new leaves grew back. They are also prone to leaf spot in wet conditions. There is very little you can do. I agree regarding the Eucalyptus I have known one cause subsidance to a garage wall. The grass around the base of the trees also needs clearing to let water through to the roots as mentioned.
    Bay isn't very tough here. Some more mature plants are happy in sheltered gardens.
    Portugeuse Laurel may also suffer similar syptoms to the Red Robin but again recovers in spring.
    The biggest problem I think is the grass.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • JignatorJignator Posts: 12
    Thanks all! Soil type is clay yep. 

    Yes we were going to clear the grass around the trees anyway as mentioned so will just put that top off the list and get done that ASAP. 

    Mulching is a good shout, will look into that.

    Interesting to hear about the bay tree, thank you everyone! 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I love E.gunnii and have several, grown from seed, but unless they are coppiced/stooled frequently they will grow into massive trees, very quickly, and yours is very close to the house.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    In addition to all the very good advice and comments already, I would add that the staking method needs looking at and altering. The ties should be tight around the support, and looser on the trunks. If you don't have the proprietary rubber type sold in many places, you can use things like old tights or similar - something soft, but sturdy. Those don't look suitable at all as they look narrow and very restrictive, and could cause damage to young trunks, especially in strong winds. 
    Those R. Robin photinias grown as standards always look poor here as they don't like the climate, but they might be ok in your area. Bay trees are often the same. I agree about the Eucalyptus - they get enormous very easily.

    Clay is a wonderful medium for all kinds of plants, but needs help by adding lots of organic matter to help drainage during autumn/winter, and to prevent drying out and cracking if you're in a drier, hotter part of the country. The prep for planting  is just about the most important part of growing anything  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • JignatorJignator Posts: 12
    Ah okay, most of the staking came like that from the garden centre but with the winds lately, definitely could do with strengthening. Thanks for the advice!

    Could a eucalyptus not just be trimmed back so it doesn't get too big, or am I missing something? Seems like quite a few have raised this concern so just want to check. 

    Noted re prepping :) 
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