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. 1 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. 2 .