Your Backyard Garden Information Source
Pests and diseases of trees Those affecting ornamental trees can be divided into three main classes: disease due to bacterial or fungal action, damage caused by insects and damage caused by animals (including birds). Of the first, the most seriously affected trees are members of the rose family (Bosaceae). Bacterial canker attacks cherries and plums. It is associated with the […]
We plant trees for their beauty of leaf, whether green in Summer or red in the Autumn; for their bark which becomes particularly fascinating. We plant trees because we love them. Some trees linger in our memories as old friends, from whose branches we have swung and “skinned-the-cat”; under whose cool shade we have rested from play or work. Some trees seem to have moods, changing […]
Placing trees of these colors needs great care, but their colors mingled with the multitude of others in autumn are effective and of great beauty, they do not blend well with the normal greens, particularly if used in quantity. They should therefore be used sparingly in isolation at points where they will inevitably catch the eye. A number have clear […]
Columnar or Fastigiate trees To the botanist, the word fastigiate means ‘with parallel, erect, clustered branches’. It has become more widely used in a more generalized sense for trees with narrow crowns. All those mentioned are derived from natural sports and do not come true from seed (if that is produced). They are propagated as cultivars. They generally need careful […]
Broad-leaved ACER CAPILLIPES Young bark striated with white; young growths coral red, leaves turning crimson in autumn. A. davidii, young bark shiny green, striated with white; leaves usually turn yellow and purple in autumn. Long chains of keys striking. A. griseum,paper bark maple, the outer bark peeling in papery flakes to show the copper-colored inner bark; opening leaves bronze colored, […]
TREES FREE FROM INSECT PESTS AND DISEASES (Seldom attacked, and not seriously qffected) DECIDUOUS Ailanthus glandulosa Tree of Heaven Cercidiphyllum japonicurn Katsura-Tree Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian Olive Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo Gleditsia triacanthos Honey Locust Gymnocladus dioica Kentucky Coffeetree Halesia carolina Silverbell Tree Koelreuteria paniculata Goldenrain Tree Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgurn Magnolia (all species) Magnolia Nyssa sylvatica Sourgurn Oxydendrum arboreurn […]
Trees with blue (glaucous) and silver foliage Broad-leaved ALNUS INCANA Leaves grey underneath. CRATAEGUS ORIENTALIS Leaves grey on both sides, deeply cut. EUCALYPTUS The tree has numerous species, but their hardiness over a long period is doubtful; E. gunnii is the best known. POPULUS ALBA The white poplar has white twigs and undersides of the leaves, the best form for […]
Trees with white, silver or yellow variegated leaves These are all sports, perhaps occurring originally on one branch only, of normal trees that have been propagated vege-turns a rich yellow. GYMNOCLADUS DIOICUS The large leaves turn clear yellow. LIQUIDAMBAR STYRACIFLUA Variable, but in good specimens can be brilliant, purple to scarlet. LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA Leaves turn a good yellow. MALUS Apples […]
Trees with early flowers ACER OPALUS The Italian maple has yellow flowers in early April. CORNUS MAS This has many small yellow flowers in February. PARROTIA PERSICA This bears very numerous small scarlet tassel-like flowers in February. PRUNUS ‘Accolade’ is a semi-double pink cherry flowering in March; P. conradinae is a cherry with scented white or pinkish flowers in late […]
Evergreen trees Broad-leaved It is as well to remember that these often drop their leaves untidily in summer. ARBUTUS All species and hybrids. BUXUS All species and cultivars. EUCALYPTUS All species. ILEX I. x altaclarensis, I. aquifolium and their cultivars are evergreen hollies. LIGUSTRUM LUCIDUM A species of privet often reaching tree size, has handsome dark green, glossy leaves, and white […]