Planting a Tree in Your garden
Planting a tree teaches us about the rhythm of nature : the rhythm of the seasons with the blossoming, the colours of Autumn, the falling of the leaves ; the rhythm of the years, as it takes its time to establish itself, the amount of roots growing underground almost as numerous as the branches in the air. That is to say that a lot of energy is needed in the process !
Trees grow at different speeds. Those which grow slowly generally last longer. Trees teach you patience !
The numerous types of trees have many different attactions. Some have spectacular flowers, like the cherry blossom, the southern magnolia, or the silk tree.
The flowers of some trees are even more spectacular as they appear before the leaves grow - trees like the paulownia, the purple plum tree or the Judas tree. Other trees are early blossomers like the willow, the Turkish hazel or the Persian ironwood. Others produce fruit in Autumn, like the clerodendrums with ther little light blue pears with purple collars, ot the honey locust tree with its contorted mahogany pods. Some of these fruit stay on the branches for a good part of the Winter, like the tiny apples on the ornamental apple trees or the orange or yellow berries on the rowan tree. On the other hand certain fruits are rejected, like the chestnuts on the horse-chestnut tree, which should be gathered up once they fall to the ground. Luckily, the red chestnut tree produces very little, which is not a bad thing !
But it's in their autumn hues that trees astound us most : the reds, the yellows, the fire-like colours... They love to show off their beauty before their leaves begin to fall. Its hard to say which trees produce the most beautiful colours, but the sweetgums, the gingkos, the maples and the American red oaks are ng the most colourful.
Some species or varietites, smaller than the others, allow you to profit from thier Summer shade no matter what size your garden is. Trees like the Judas ree, the silverberry tyree or the China tree are no more than 5 or 6 metres tall and 3 or 4 metres wide.
Our tip for choosing your tree
Opt for deciduous trees whose shade goes away as the leaves fall off in Autumn, when we no longer need it.... Especially if it is planted near the house, as you should avoid preventing the light from entering in Winter.