The right tree in the right place

Every green professional knows the importance of the right choice of species; a choice that is always twofold. On the one hand there are the practical requirements and limitations that need to be taken into account, and on the other hand the designer’s wishes or personal preferences need to be considered. In addition, we must always look at the tree’s requirements. Only when these requirements have been met will the tree look the way it was intended to and the design live up to expectations. At the bottom of this page, we have summed up the factors that are important when making the choice of species.

Successful greenery projects

In order to make the best choice of species, knowledge of the range of trees available is vital. You need to know which trees there are, how they behave, how they grow and what demands they will put on their location in future. At Van den Berk, we focus strongly on working together with our customers to ensure the success of greenery projects. Wherever possible we are involved at the planning stage. After talking to the customer and using sketches of the situation, we can make suggestions regarding the perfect choice of species for the planting site and the desired final look. We know trees like no-one else and we are that the right tree can be found for any situation!

Familiarising yourself with the tree filter

Books and the internet are great resources when shopping around. This is also demonstrated by the popularity of our book, Van den Berk on Trees that can be purchased or viewed on this website. With the aid of search filters on the site or tables in the book, you can quickly make an initial selection and set out your philosophy. The outcome of the search is excellent preparation for engaging in talks with our tree consultants. Not only will the size of tree be addressed, we will also take you through which shape of tree best suits your landscaping needs. The most customary is the clear stem tree although many species and cultivars can also be supplied with a feathered trunk or as a multi-stem tree. Many species and cultivars are also available as shaped or espalier trees, each with its own distinctive appearance. Go to the tree filter

Soil type

Take the soil type into account. On a humic, sandy soil almost all trees will do well; however, heavy clay or infertile sandy soils are only suitable for certain species. Fortunately, there are also species which will thrive almost everywhere.

Climate

Europe is divided into a number of climate zones, each with their own minimum winter temperatures. These temperatures very much determine a tree’s chances of survival in a certain climate, so choose a species which at least meets the necessary winter hardiness requirements, especially now that there are more and more extreme situations as a result of climate change

Water Management

What is the water management like at the site? There are trees which do not like getting their feet wet, whereas others actually like it. Most species have a preference, although there are also ones which can handle both situations well. There are, however, only few species which can tolerate strongly fluctuating water levels.

Environmental Factors

Where will the tree be located? Does the tree need to be located in a paved area? Will it be in a street which will be gritted in winter? Is the tree site between high-rise buildings where there is a risk of katabatic winds or on the coast where severe sea winds blow? Think carefully and choose a species which is able to tolerate the elements that affect the site.

Application

Are cars going to be parked under the tree in the future? If so, choose a fruitless cultivar. Will there be a place to sit under the trees? If so, choose a species or cultivar that is not susceptible to aphids. Will children be playing under the tree or are there horses or sheep that can get to the trees? Is so, avoid poisonous species. These are just a few examples, but every situation is different. Consider what is important to your situation.

Size

Ask yourself how long the tree will have to remain at its given site and what size (height/spread) it may have at the end of its life. All too often a tree is picked which is too large, leading to problems in the course of time. They then have to be radically pruned resulting in an uneven tree and recurring maintenance costs. And in some cases, despite the pruning, the tree will eventually have to go after a number of years.

Environmental value

This is a relatively new criterion. The government is increasingly formulating environmental objectives relating to particulate matter and CO2 and more and more companies want their operations to be CO2 neutral. Trees can contribute to this, although not all species are equally effective. Trees with hairy foliage and conifers capture the most particulate matter. In terms of CO2 sequestration, the amount of leaf mass is key. A tree that has lots of large leaves is more effective than a transparent tree. Choosing honey plants may be another environmental consideration.