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A mature tree or shrub dramatically changes the way you look
at your garden. It may cost you a pretty penny but would
save waiting a lifetime to grow it! Specimens add instant
charm and attraction to a property (just think of how many
years it would take a Wisteria to grow into a reliable
flowering size, for example).
Your garden space is another
room and, like the inside of your home, maybe you shouldn't
be afraid to redecorate or modernise it every now and again.
Adding a bold & distinct focal point adds interest and
value.
People often seem skeptical about planting big
containerised trees and shrubs, and with good reason. Trees
in the wi]d have a root spread as wide as the widest
branches, and lots of these are kig thick tap roots. Cherry
trees for example have thick roots close to the surface, and
Oaks are known for their deep tap roots.
Traditional planting time is in late Autumn to Winter,
when the tree is dormant and roots are under less stress.
You may have seen Garden Centres sell bare rooted deciduous
hedging in winter and these immature `whips' can take this
treatment provided their roots are covered in soil, heeled
in and planted before leaf break in spring. A mature
specimen however, is a different ball game. It needs a well
developed root system with constant access to water and
nutrients, especially during early spring. The secret to
growing a mature specimen tree is shaping the roots, and
pruning the top of the tree accordingly to promote good root
growth. How can a mature tree be lifted and planted at any
time of year, even in full leaf? Well, the answer again is
acheiving that short fibrous root system; by lifting, and
root pruning every 2-3 years. When the trees reach the
Garden Centre they have a wide flat root ball with straight
sides and this literally stands them in good stead as they
can withstand winds better. All this care means they can be
planted at anytime with good results.
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