Ten Best Trees for Small Gardens Diane Pierce March 19, 2017 General Meeting

TEN BEST TREES FOR SMALL GARDENS DIANE PIERCE MARCH 19, 2017 GENERAL MEETING

1. Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’ “Fernleaf full moon maple” SAPINDACEAE (was Aceraceae) Deciduous Z5-7 15-20’H x 20’W. Slow (takes 15 years to size up). Large, fern-like, deeply lobed (7-11) leaves, each lobe also cut & toothed. Turn scarlet in fall. Upright umbels of red-purple flowers. Semi-shade is best to sun. Well-drained, fertile, moist soil.

2. Albizia julibrissin “Silk tree” or “Mimosa” FABACEAE Deciduous Z6-9 Rapid to 40’ or headed back at 10-20’. Single or multi-stemmed trunks. Attractive spreading tree casts a light shade over patios. Pompoms of fluffy pink flowers in summer & finely cut, 2-pinnate leaves look tropical. Can espalier. Sun, takes heat. Well-drained, moderately fertile to poor gravelly soil. Avg. water (grows faster & greener) to drier soil. A. j. ‘Rosea’ is hardiest

3. Arbutus unedo “Strawberry tree” ERICACEAE Evergreen Z7-9 Handsome year-round interest: panicles of white urns in autumn become red-orange “strawberries” by next autumn. Oval, leathery, evergreen leaves. 12-15' H&W. Full sun is best. Well-drained, average moisture to some drought. Don't damage tap root in planting. Can be shaped as a multi- stemmed “tree”. A. unedo 'Compacta' is 5-6'H&W

4. Cercidiphyllum japonicum f. pendulum “Weeping katsura tree” CERCIDIPHYLLACEAE Deciduous Z4-6 Relatively fast to 20’H x 25’W. Ovate to almost heart-shaped leaves turn yellow to maroon to apricot in autumn, when they smell wonderfully of burnt sugar. One of most pest- & disease-free of trees. Sun to dappled shade. Well-drained, deep, fertile, soil. Colours best in acidic soil. Average moisture. Protect from drying winds.

5. Cornus kousa “Kousa dogwood” or “Szechuan strawberry” CORNACEAE Deciduous Z5-8 Elegant tree or multi-stem shrub. Slow to 22’H x 15’W. 4 pointy cream bracts surround fleshy red “raspberries” in early summer. Flowers ranked above leaves. Sun to semi-shade (semi-shade for trunk). Soil: well-drained, average water, fertile, humus, neutral to acid. Less susceptible to anthracnose.

6. Ginkgo biloba “Maidenhair tree” or “Ginkgo” GINKGOACEAE Deciduous Z5-9 9-100’H x 10-25’W! Horizontal or pyramidal. Male or female. “Living fossil”: cycads may be nearest living relative, not conifers. Leathery, fan-shaped leaves turn yellow in fall. Smelly, toxic fruit on female trees! Sun. Long lived & not fussy: any deep, well-drained, average soil & water, to some drought. Prefers summer heat. Pest resistant. Looks spindly as a young tree.

7. Koelreuteria paniculata “Golden rain tree” or “Pride of India” SAPINDACEAE Deciduous Z6-9 4 seasons: Handsome, evenly branched (1 or multi-stemmed), pinnate leaves are coppery in spring & yellow in fall, 12” airy panicles of yellow flowers become papery Chinese lanterns. Full sun. Well-drained, fertile soil. Average water to drought. Takes wind, cold & heat but do water while young. Deep & shallow roots.

8. Parrotia persica “Parrotia” or “Persian ironwood” HAMAMELIDACEAE Deciduous Z4-7 Spreading, multi-trunked shrub to 15'H or tree to 30'H x 25'W. Slow growth, low spreading branches. Choice tree for shape, size, leaves & autumn colour (rich red-purples). Sun to semi- shade. Well-drained, deep, fertile, moist to average soil & water. Drought tolerant. Acid soil for best fall colour. Handsome. No pests. No pruning usually required.

9. Rhamnus purshiana “Cascara” or “Chittam bark” RHAMNACEAE Native, Deciduous Z7 Tree or shrub, 15-30’ H&W. Handsome, veined leaves may be in whorls at twig tips, turn yellow in fall. Smooth grey or brownish bark. Terminal clusters of inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers form shiny black berries. May not grow well in urban sites. Sun to deep shade. Average soil & moisture. Bark once harvested for medical use.

10. Trochodendron aralioides “Wheel tree” TROCHODENDRACEAE Evergreen Z6-10 Tree or large shrub with glossy, leathery leaves arranged spirally around the horizontal branches. 30’H x 25’W. Racemes to 5” wide of 10 to 20 or more curious, bright green flowers: no petals but the stamens radiate from the central green disc. Sun to dappled shade. Well-drained, humus-rich, averagely moist. Shelter from cold, drying winds. Handsome, especially if the plant is evenly shaped.