Which one would you buy?

mikejames2011 · 14 February

Just wanted some advice on what our best option is. I’ve always been told it’s best to buy smaller trees and let them establish in the ground but we would really like an established Stone Pine tree for the bottom of our garden (plenty of space for it). Unfortunately there are restrictions on importing them at the moment for good reason due to the Pine moth in Europe. Therefore the options are limited.

I’ve searched high and low and only managed to find a couple of options:

There is this large specimen but I know it’s been in the nursery for a good few years unsold so it will most likely be pot bound. Would this establish ok? The size and height is great but I wouldn’t want it to fail and then in years to come be left with an unhealthy tree.

Second option is this much smaller specimen which is actually more expensive but from a very good nursery and I’m sure would grow away happily.

Should we buy the smaller one and be patient or take a chance on the bigger tree?

Plantminded · 14 February

I’d be nervous planting anything with a potential disease threat, especially if it’s expensive and takes a long time to grow. However, there’s a large property on the coast near one of my walks that had a row of these planted a few years ago. I was walking by at the time that they were delivered. I was intrigued as I know the nursery that they came from. They were similar in size to the large one in your photo and in similar containers. I thought, they’ll never grow there, but a few years later, they are thriving in a very exposed coastal site!

Redwing · 14 February

My personal experience is that smaller trees are easier to establish. Watering in the summer months can be a big problem with larger trees.

Paul B3 · 14 February

Opt for the smaller tree & good advice from @Redwing .

The larger tree looks a hideous specimen .

micearguers · 14 February

The bigger tree will take many years to take root and the smaller tree will very likely catch up with it. With such a big tree I've also found that you need take a lot of precaution to protect against windrock, and it will take the tree many years to develop a root system that can cope with windrock, if at all. Maybe I'd like a close-up of the bottom of the smaller tree's trunk, to make sure it looks healthy and does not have root weirdly looping close to the trunk.

Obelixx · 14 February

As others have said, the smaller tree will settle much faster and grow away faster than a more established tree which will sit and appear to do nothing for a couple of years while it gets its roots established.

There's a good reason experienced gardeners go for the younger versions.

WonkyWomble · 14 February

Is there the option of both?
Joking aside...... I always like a challenge and have found it you plant something well then you give it it's best chance ...... Plants want to survive, it's up to us to give them that environment.... Good luck whatever you decide 👍

Papi Jo · 14 February

The Pine moth problem should be taken seriously and potentially make you consider planting a different kink of tree?

Plantminded · 14 February

Both trees are leaning but the larger one would be easier to correct when planting. Whether it prospers is another matter! I would be reluctant to buy either due to the potential disease threat. There’s a dwarf Scots pine that might be worth considering:

https://www.deepdale-trees.co.uk/trees/2019/02-Pinus-sylvestris-watereri.html

mikejames2011 · 15 February

Thanks for the comments, looks like the smaller one would be the best bet. Although I’m really tempted by this huge olive tree! Apparently they transplant very well even at larger sizes!

We have landscaped the garden with a Tuscan feel and we have lots of lavender and rosemary and also quite a few Pencil Cypress so we wanted a large tree to complete the vision!

McRazz · 15 February

That large pine is a very poor specimen indeed. Even if you did manage to get it planted you'd have a hell of a job keeping it upright even in slack weather! Its most definitely one of those trees thats been stuck at the back of the nursery for a long time without the appropriate ongoing care that larger trees require. If nothing else its a red flag that the nursery's plant husbandry is below par so i'd steer away from them altogether.

As a general rule when buying containerised trees anything above a feathered specimen (i wouldn't even go as far as light standard!) should be potted into an air pot to ensure uniform root growth and enhanced transplant success.

Again, with the smaller tree i'd look elsewhere as its also a very poor looking plant. I don't like the way the crown has stretched the upper section of the trunk and the pruning to the base makes for a very odd looking tree. Perhaps with time this will add character but it just looks wrong to me.

A lot of nurseries are really only geared up for the herbaceous, annual and small shrub market (5-10lt). Anything bigger than this and their inexperience shows. Much better to go to a specialist if you're looking to invest in a tree.

I second the Deepdale link. In my experience there is no better tree nursery in the country.

Which one would you buy?

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