A native tree can be a great addition to your garden. As well as providing shade and a home for wildlife, it can also add beauty to your green space. There are also a few reasons why you may want to consider planting a native tree over other varieties. So what is a native tree, when should you plant one, and where can you find them?
What Is A Native Tree?
A native tree is any tree that is native to the country. In the case of the UK, there are a number of trees that are native to the country; with the most popular being alder, beech, Scots pine and oak. The most common types are all broadleaved, meaning they don’t have needles but have leaves instead. Depending on the species, they can come in a range of shapes and sizes.
Native trees can also relate to species such as holly trees, in addition to native fruit trees such as cherry trees and pear trees. Examples of popular but non-native trees in the UK include apple trees, spruce trees and cedar trees.
There are a number of reasons why you may want to plant a native tree over a non-native one, including how much easier it is to maintain, as well as additional environmental benefits.
The Benefits Of Native Trees
There are many benefits to buying and planting a tree in your garden. One of the biggest is the benefit for the environment, taking in carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. A tree, or selection of trees, can help reduce your carbon footprint and can offset carbon in the aim of getting to net zero in terms of emissions.
There is also an aesthetic benefit to having a tree in your garden, adding a level of beauty whilst also acting as a barrier to stop neighbours overlooking your garden.
And when it comes to native trees, there are a few additional benefits in comparison with non-native trees. The first is the better chance of survival, as they won’t have to try and adapt to the new environment. It also means they’ll be much lower maintenance.
Native trees are also ideal for local wildlife, providing food and shelter at a level not seen in non-native tree species. Native trees are also non-invasive, meaning they won’t dominate an area through unrestricted and unpredictable growth.
The Best Time To Plant A Native Tree
The winter is the best time to plant a tree of any kind, including native trees. Winter is when trees are dormant, meaning it’s the best time of year to carry out any kind of tree work, including arboriculture.
It’s also the optimal time to plant a tree, ensuring it’s in place before the spring, ensuring your new tree is in the ground before it becomes active and starts blooming. The best months to do this tend to be January, February and even into early March.
Where To Buy Native Trees
There are a few places you can buy native trees, including nurseries and garden centres. You can also buy trees online too from places like Shrubgarden. At ShrubGarden, we have a strong number of native trees that are grown in Northumberland and can be shipped all across the country. This includes varieties such as the English Oak Sapling, also coming gift boxed.
You can also find non-native trees at Shrubgarden such as the Norway spruce, the Red Oak Sapling, the Magnolia x soulangeana and holly trees like the Ilex aquifolium Argentea Marginata.
