One of the
most beautiful parts of designing a garden is thinking about the trees you can plant, because they are an investment in the future. That little tree that looks so flimsy today will eventually grow and be able to offer shade, flowers, and perhaps fruit. For this reason, it is important to choose trees not only thinking about the aesthetic aspect, but also about their function, the way they will grow and how they will develop their roots.
If you arelooking for trees that improve the temperature of the space with their shade and minimally invasive roots, to protect buildings and pipes, then you are in luck because we will mention the most beautiful species with these characteristics, as well as the basics of their care and why you should prefer them.
Why should we take roots into account?
A few years ago we started having problems with the pipes at home. After breaking up the soil and extracting the pipes, we discovered the origin of everything: the roots of one of the trees in the garden had broken the pipe. The saddest thing is that, in addition to paying a lot of money for repairs, we had to get rid of the tree. It seems like a simple anecdote, but the truth is that it is essential to know which species of tree is the right size for the space and whether its roots are aggressive or not. Remember: it's not the poor tree's fault, it's the humans who planted it without investigating whether it was the right thing to do.
The root system has two functions: they are an anchor to the soil, which allows them to withstand winds and storms, but they are also the way the tree can absorb and transport the water and nutrients it requires to stay alive. The roots usually extend in an area similar to the extent of their crown, although they can exceed these dimensions in many species. In fact, when we consider the whole tree as an individual, the crown would only represent 30% of its total volume, 70% of the tree is underneath and growing in proportion.
There are two types of tree roots. Extensive roots, which are about the same thickness, extend to the sides like the crown of the tree and have a very good grip on the soil. They are the most harmful to structures, because they are the ones that invade spaces. Taproots are characterized by having a taproot that is thicker. They grow downwards, deep into the earth, and have less anchorage. This makes them a bit risky in case of strong winds or storms, as they can fall more easily.
It is important to consider the type of root of the trees you choose for the garden, especially if they will be very close to the house or other structures. Roots have the instinct to look for water incessantly, which is why they drill pipes or seek to enter other terrains, destroying entire systems of underground pipes, invading pools or breaking the soil in the best of cases. That said, it is important that you avoid tree species such as eucalyptus, willow or poplar, which are very thirsty and will not stop until they find a continuous water source with their very developed and invasive roots.
For
some strange reason we think that the size of the roots is proportional to the dimensions of the crown, and nothing could be further from the truth. Believe it or not, there are species of giant, imposing trees that are perfect for planting near buildings, as their roots are sparse and shallow. As if that weren't enough, many of these trees have a leafy crown that extends to provide shade, so these species are ideal to have in gardens that are close to home or in small tracts of land that have some construction nearby. Some species more suitable for the Iberian Peninsula are:
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- Bauhinia or Orchid Tree
The most characteristic feature of this tree is its lobed leaves, which resemble the hoof of a cow or a camel. They are native to Asia and can reach between 6 and 7 meters. They produce a white or pink flower that looks like small orchids. Their crown is very dense and they are ideal for planting close to home because they do not have invasive roots and their parasolated bearing gives incredible shade.
Bauhinias enjoy living in full sun and require little watering. Believe it or not, they are capable of withstanding mild frosts as low as -7°C. The flowers don't have much of a scent, but they are amazing and attract birds, so you will spend hours enjoying their song and colors. While they are deciduous (i.e., they lose their leaves in the cold season) they are not trees that have pesky fruit or seeds that stain the soil or make the garden too dirty.
These are deciduous trees, which do very well in temperate zones of the earth. This condition is very important, as they do not do well in places with warm temperatures and prefer environments with differentiated seasons and winters that reach 0°C.
There are many varieties of maples, so you have to pay attention to see which variety is right for you. If you're short on space, you can look for acer negundo that grows up to 15 meters, country that reaches 10 meters, or pensylvanicum that ranges from 5 to 10 meters.
I'm going to confess that I'm an inveterate fan of trees with flowers and colors, so the Love Tree, Judas Tree, Cyclamor or Cercis Siliquastrum has always been on my wish list and it's impossible not to fall in love with that festival of lilac flowers that transforms the tree into spring. It is not very tall, measuring between 6 and 12 meters, but it is fantastic for providing shade to the garden.
The Judas tree is deciduous, that is, they are lost in the cold season but instead of appearing in spring, the tree is filled with flowers and then the leaves return. It resists the cold, up to 18°C so it is perfect for those regions with extreme climates.
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- of
most planted native species in the entire peninsula, the plane tree is an ornamental tree with deciduous leaves, which grows quite fast and is distinguished by the fact that it produces a lot of shade thanks to its size. It reaches between 30 and 40 meters in height. It is easy to grow in full sun, very bushy, long-lived and although it prefers temperate regions, it really grows almost anywhere.
It is important to note one detail: this tree is very allergenic. If you suffer from allergies, sinusitis and similar conditions, it is best to stay away from this species, especially in spring because when flowering occurs it releases a large amount of pollen that can affect your respiratory tract.
- Prunus: cherry and plum
The trees of this genus are a real amazement. There are plenty of varieties, but the ones with the sparsest roots and are best for shade are the varieties prunus mahaleb, prunus serrulata and prunus cerasifera. They are deciduous trees that can measure a maximum of 12 meters. They are characterized by the fact that in spring they are covered with beautiful white or pink flowers.
Have you seen the Japanese cherry trees? Well, they are prunus cerasifera. But not only are they beautiful, they are also perfect for extreme climates as they withstand temperatures as low as -18° C. They are more or less easy to care for, but they require well-differentiated seasons (with very cold winters) to be able to flower and complete their cycle.
- Citrus
Lemons, oranges or tangerines; anything can be a beautiful tree that not only provides shade but also provides delicious fruit. They are evergreen, so they retain their foliage year-round. The flowers smell delicious and also have a cute bearing. They can withstand temperatures down to -7° C, although you have to protect them in case of too strong frosts. If you fertilize them from spring to autumn, you will have incredible fruits. For me it is one of those species that we should all have in the garden if the environmental conditions lend themselves to it and depending on the variety, they can begin to bear fruit in their first year.
- Ash
is a deciduous tree, whose green leaves change to a beautiful yellow color in autumn. In spring, it produces beautiful white flowers that have a delicious scent. It grows up to 12 meters, although ash trees measuring 40 meters have been reported. Ash is a great tree for those places where there is plenty of shade and withstands frost very well, but they do not like excessively hot climates at all, so avoid them if winters are mild in your region and the heat is oppressive.
- Oak
An oak tree can live up to 200 years. Known all over the world for its wood, it is of European origin and deciduous type. There are a lot of species that do very well throughout the peninsula. For example, Quercus Pyrenaica is a protected species in Andalusia and does very well there, while Quercus Faginea is ideal for the Mediterranean region.
Oaks are trees that can reach up to 25 to 40 meters in height. They prefer humid places, temperate climates with well-differentiated seasons, but with temperatures between 40° to -15°C. The most beautiful thing about these trees is their fall transition, with deep and beautiful colors that will decorate your garden.
- Jupiter Tree
Also known as Indian Lilac, Lagerstroemia indica L is a beautiful tree that is covered in flowers in clusters, pink, red or white every summer until autumn. From spring it is adorned with its bright green leaves and at the end of flowering, it changes golden or purple tones. Quite a spectacle.
The Jupiter tree prefers drained soils, moderate to sparse watering, and plenty of light. It is important to prune it at the end of winter so that it sprouts strongly in spring. It should be fertilized every 15 days with a good organic fertilizer, preferably liquid so that the flowers appear much more vigorously.
Choosing
the right tree is just a small part of the responsibility you've taken on. Most of the species we have proposed are very low maintenance, but you have to take some care of them during their first years of life, because they are barely growing. This includes protecting them from frost, as when they are young they can be affected.
Even though these trees are short-rooted, it is important to give them enough space to extend their root systems. Try to keep them at least one meter away from any construction (wall, asphalt floors or similar) to prevent them from affecting these structures over the years. Remember that it's not the tree's fault, it's the fault of the people who planted it and didn't take proper precautions.
It is necessary to water the tree according to particular needs, but you also have to take into account the environmental conditions. If it's very hot or the sun shines directly on the soil where they're planted, you'll probably need to increase the frequency of watering. Rainwater is ideal, but if you're not lucky enough to live in a place where there is regular rainfall, you can fill a bucket with tap water and let it sit for at least 24 hours to evaporate the chlorine and other substances that can affect the health of your trees.
If you want trees with leafy branches, incredible flowers and magnificent bearing, you need to enrich the substrate with organic fertilizers. Use them as recommended for their species, usually during the growing season that runs from spring to early fall. Find out if the tree needs to be pruned and in what season. This will make it grow vigorously and in a short time, turning the garden into a fresh and delicious space.