Tree Time!

Tree planting season is upon us. From October through until around March is the best time to plant trees in Scotland. But with so much choice, how do you decide which trees you would like to plant? We’ve pulled together a list of our most popular ornamental and fruit trees to help you.

As ever, the team are on hand to give you advice and guidance as to what will work best in your garden.

Let’s start with Ornamental trees….

Acer

Acers are a diverse and mostly hardy group of trees that are easy to grow in a wide range of soils and they thrive in sun or partial shade. Spectacular leaves in a brilliant autumn colour brighten up any garden – especially the magnificent Acer rubrums from North America. Many Acers also have small, delicate flowers in spring.

Betula

Some of the most graceful of all trees with a superb range of bark features from dynamic white to chocolate brown, smooth and shaggy. Birch will succeed on most soils with certain species happy even in wet sites but they are at their best in full sun.

Crateagus

The Thorns have diverse flowers and fruit, are extremely hardy and ideal for the smaller garden. They are deciduous, occasionally semi-evergreen and will tolerate a wide range of soils, urban pollution and coastal conditions.

Liquidamber

These stunning trees with maple-like leaves are renowned for their spectacular autumn colours. They need moist but well drained soil and a sunny site.

Malus

The most diverse of garden trees giving flowers, foliage, fruit and autumn colours. They will grow in almost any fertile soils, and love being in full sun.

Prunus

Prunus contains a wonderfully diverse range of deciduous and evergreen trees for the garden. Flowering times range from winter to mid-summer but they also have some beautiful autumn colours. They are easy to grow on almost any well drained soil, preferring chalk and acid.

Sorbus

White, pink, yellow and red berries, delicate leaves and stunning autumn colours. These generally small trees are easy to grow in almost any soil. They are hardy and tolerant of urban pollution and coastal conditions. One of the most diverse, interesting and rewarding of tree groups for gardens.

Coming into winter makes you think of lovely warm crumbles and delicious chutneys. Harvesting fruit from your own trees is infinitely more satisfying than shop bought goods. Here’s just a few of the trees we have in stock. 

Apple

The Apple is part of our cultural heritage, with thousands of known varieties. We only show a small selection of different varieties so come and chat to us about which type will be best for you.

Cherry

For sweet cherries we recommend the planting of new, self fertile varieties on dwarf rootstocks, especially Gisela 5 which is ideal for orchard, garden and patio trees. These will fruit far better in the garden situation, as well as being easier to protect from birds. Picking from late June to early September, the range of varieties now covers a lengthy season to suit all needs.

Damson

Damsons are easily grown in most situations. They originate from the native plum, Prunus insititia, and were grown primarily in the past as a dye for clothes and uniforms. Damsons are so versatile, being used for gin, beer, vinegar, jam, cheese, jelly and even chocolate.

Gage

Gages are small plums that have a more delicate constitution but with superior flavour and sugar content. They are often shy to crop but will have the occasional good year where patience will be rewarded. Green, yellow and red fruiting forms are available.

Pear

To many fruit lovers the pear is the queen of fruits especially when eaten at that perfect moment. Pears that are derived from the UK are generally best for our gardens.

Plum

These hardy fruits can be picked form early July to late September. They include varieties mostly derived from Prunus domestica, the European plum and the occasional Prunus salicina, the Japanese plum. For fresh eating and various culinary uses, they come in all shades of red, blue, purple and yellow.

Quince

The flavour of quince is very tasty as a stewed fruit, or as a jelly or marmalade – in fact it was the first fruit that was made into a marmalade. In addition to the showy fruit are lovely soft pink flowers and large leaves, making this tree worth its place in the garden.

With thanks to our supplier Frank P Matthews

Subscribe to special offers and more