Large trees, such as oak, elm, lime, poplar, beech, willow, cedar, pine and fir, are only suitable for large gardens, but there are sometimes narrow, upright-stemmed or fastigiate forms of large trees that can be planted in quite small gardens. Examples are the Dawyck Beech, fastigiate oak and fastigiate Tulip Tree (lirioden-dron). The Lombardy Poplar is a fastigiate form of the Black Poplar and its branches do not take up much room, but unfortunately its roots penetrate too far to make it a good, small, garden tree.

Conifers, of which cypress, cedar, juniper, fir, larch and pine are familiar examples, differ from other trees in having narrow, sometimes needle-like leaves. Most, but not all, are evergreen. There are not many other evergreen trees, so conifers do play a rather special part in the garden, accentuated by the fact that many are conical in habit in contrast to the more rounded shapes of broad-leaved trees. Though naturally green leaved, some conifers produce varieties with leaves of different colours, usually blue-grey or golden. Most conifers are allowed to branch from ground level but other trees are often grown on a bare trunk and are known as standards.

Once trees are planted they are likely to remain for a great many years, during which time no further deep cultivation can be carried out. Initial soil preparation should therefore be thorough. Planting holes must be of ample width and it is wise to drive a stout stake into the centre of each hole. Plant so that the soil mark on the main trunk is about 1 in. below soil level. Firm the soil thoroughly around the roots and tie the main stem securely to the stake to prevent wind rocking.

Even if trees are to be grown in grass, a cultivated circle at least 4 ft. in diameter should be maintained around each for the first few years. In addition, young trees should be fed each March with a topdressing of manure or a compound fertiliser used according to manufacturer’s instructions. No ornamental tree requires regular pruning, but most will benefit from a little shaping in the early stages to maintain a good balance of growth on all sides while retaining a natural habit. Suckers – growths from the roots and from the main trunk below the head of branches – should also be removed. When removing branches, cut them close to a fork or where they join a larger branch of the main trunk.