The Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing Trees

The Art and Science to grow with confidence

Tony Kirkham

• Publisher: Frances Lincoln
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9780711261983
• eBook ISBN: 9780711261990
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Horticulture
• Index: Biological Sciences

This inspirational book from Kew Gardens' tree expert is the perfect guide to choosing and growing these essential garden mainstays.
 
With authoritative advice from Kew tree expert Tony Kirkham and the Kew Gardens team, this is the ultimate companion to growing and planting trees. In addition, there are twelve tree-related projects to inspire every green-fingered gardener.

There is a place in every garden for a tree, but before buying it is important to think about why and what you are planting and where. Do you want to plant for privacy, as a single ornamental specimen for seasonal interest or to attract wildlife?

Such key considerations are discussed by the Tony Kirkham, Head of the Arboretum, Gardens & Horticultural Services at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He also explains the practicalities of growing a tree as well as describing and illustrating a wide range of trees in detail, for every size of garden.

The Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing Trees is part of the Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing series, a collection of books from Kew's top experts filled with tips, projects and handy advice on a range of gardening issues. Other titles include Growing Herbs, Growing House Plants, Growing Vegetables, Growing Orchids and Growing Fruit. 

PROJECT 1

Making a collage of autumnal leaves in a picture frame

During autumn, gardens and parks come to life with all the vibrant reds, purples and yellows of the seasonal leaf colour. Such colouring is caused by trees stopping production of chlorophyl, which is the green pigment used in photosynthesis to absorb energy from sunlight. As this pigment disappears from the leaf, the other weaker pigments, which are produced in late summer and are obscured by the chlorophyl, are able to shine through and show off their true colours. These are the carotins, which are yellow and orange tones, and the anthocyanins, which are the reds and purples. For good autumn colour there needs to be some ground moisture, warm sunny days and cooler nights without frost.

This is a project for the autumn and serves as reminder of this season throughout the year. It’s easy to do and makes a walk in the park or garden more exciting and interesting. All you require is a bag to collect the leaves in, to stop them drying out too quickly, a pile of old newspapers and a few large books to act as weights. To complete the project, you’ll need a picture frame large enough to show off your leaves.

Preferably wait for a dry day and collect a variety of leaves, with a mixture of colours, sizes and shapes. When you get home, spread out the leaves between sheets of newspaper and place a few heavy books on top of the pile of filled newspapers. Bring the pile indoors, and place, preferably, in warm and dry spot. Leave for a few days to dry while pressed; it may be necessary to change the newspapers occasionally, especially if the leaves are slightly damp.

After they have dried, lay out the leaves in a pattern of your choice and offer up to the picture frame. Once you are happy with the design and layout, seal the frame and hang it on the wall.

1Collect various autumn leaves in the garden.

2Lay the leaves out on the newspaper and cover with more sheets of newspaper.

3Place heavy books on top of the newspapers to press the leaves and stop them shrivelling up. Leave to dry for a few days.

4Arrange the leaves in the picture frame in an artistic way. Then seal its back.

5Hang the final picture on the wall at home.

DECIDUOUS BROADLEAF

Japanese maple

Acer palmatum

Acer palmatum cultivar

Family Sapindaceae

Height 2.5–4m/8–13ft

Spread 2.5–4m/8–13ft

Habit Vase, columnar, spreading or weeping

Hardiness Zone 5: –15 to –10°C/5 to 14°F

Position Partial shade

There are so many cultivars on offer, with many leaf shapes and colours throughout the year, that it will be difficult to select one for your garden. But, in the end, choice will come down to personal preference and availability of plants in the nursery. The foliage is also useful in craft projects (see Making a collage of autumnal leaves in a picture frame).

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WHERE TO GROW

These maples prefer a fertile, moist but well-drained soil and, because of the nature of their growt...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Contents
• Introduction to Growing Trees
• Plants
• Project 1: Making a Collage of Autumnal Leaves in a Picture Frame
• Project 2: Growing a Tree from a Seed
• Project 3: Creating a Multi-Stemmed Birch
• Project 4: Building an Ecological Log Stack
• Project 5: Five Hardworking Trees for Any Small Garden
• Project 6: Grow Your Own Christmas Tree
• Project 7: Planting a Tree in a Pot for a Balcony
• Project 8: Making a Bee Hotel
• Project 9: Establishing Mistletoe in a Garden Tree
• Project 10: Creating a Standard Topiary Ball
• Project 11: Measuring a Tree’S Height and Ageing It
• Project 12: Researching and Finding an Old Veteran Tree
• Troubleshooting
• What to Do When
• Index
• Acknowledgments
• Dedication
• Copyright