Choosing the right tree for your property
Choosing trees for a home garden depends on various factors like the available space, soil conditions, desired features (such as shade, privacy, or aesthetics), and maintenance requirements. For tree species that perform well within Hobsons Bay, here are some recommendations by our Arborists:
Shade Trees:
- Chinese Elm (Ulmus parvifolia): an attractive semi-deciduous, ornamental tree with glossy dark green leaves, which turn shades of yellow and red in autumn before falling.
- Chinese Pistachio (Pistacia chinensis): Suitable for smaller gardens, this tree features great autumn colour and is capable of withstanding harsher conditions.
- Green Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Shademaster’): Large, fast growing, deciduous tree with a pendulous habit. A great choice for a feature shade tree in a larger garden.
- White Cedar (Melia azedarach ‘Elite’): Fast growing with a rounded crown and dense leaf covering, making it a good choice for a deciduous shade tree.
Native Trees:
- Burgundy Willow Myrtle (Agonis flexuosa 'Burgundy'): This small attractive tree bears white clusters of flowers in spring. It has a beautiful weeping habit.
- Dwarf Lemon-Scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora 'Scentuous'): The bark is a pinky salmon in colour. The leaves are narrow and highly aromatic, smelling strongly of lemon when crushed. This tree features lovely cream-coloured flowers in summer.
- Dwarf Yellow Bloodwood (Corymbia eximia ‘Nana’): In spring the tree puts on an eye-catching display covering itself in creamy yellow flowers, attracting nectar loving birds.
- Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata): The tree produces large yellow cylinder-shaped flowers that are a stunning feature and attract native birds and insects. The flowers are borne from spring to autumn.
Flowering Trees:
- Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica): Suitable for a smaller space, the tree offers vibrant summer flowers in a variety of colours.
- Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia): Large tree, famous for its stunning summertime display of delicate purple, bell-shaped blooms.
- Magnolia (Magnolia spp.): Large, fragrant flowers and glossy green leaves.
- Pear (Pyrus spp.): Fast growing and resilient tree type, known for their showy spring blossoms and attractive foliage.
Things to consider when planting a tree:
When choosing a location for a new tree, consider how wide the tree is expected to grow and choose a location that allows for its spread. Planting too close to buildings, fences or paved areas may create issues as the tree matures. Check your surroundings for powerlines, gas and water mains, fences and other plants. Consider planting in locations where you will receive the most benefit, such as providing shade to your home from the afternoon sun.
Maintaining a new tree:
The best time for planting is in winter or early spring. This allows a new tree time to adjust from being removed to its pot without too much stress. Water well and regularly (at least once a week). A new tree will usually take 12-24 months to establish properly, at which time you can reduce the watering to mainly providing additional water during warm and dry periods.
If any pruning is required, this is best completed in mid to late winter. Pruning during dormancy encourages new growth as soon as the weather begins to warm. There is never a bad time to remove dead, damaged or diseased branches.