A tree for a hot summer's afternoon
By Inverglen
Middlesex,
United Kingdom 
Those couple of hot days last week made me realise just how hot my garden is going to be this summer. When it gets hot, I like to sit in the shade. In the morning my neighbours big old apple tree gives me shade. At midday or in the afternoon an old rowan on the other side used to give me shade but it died and was cut down last year. We have lots of trees at the far end of the garden but I want one a bit nearer the house. So I want to plant a tree, suitable for a small to medium garden . I think I might widen one of the beds so its planted on the edge of the lawn and I could, in time, sit under it. Perhaps a fruit tree. Perhaps one with good leaf shape and colour. Perhaps one good for wildlife. I have looked at one of the former Gardeners World team's list of top ten trees for small gardens but one didn't jump out at me. Any suggestions welcome.
5 Jun, 2009
Answers
My personal choice would be Laburnum waterii Vossi (think that's how it's spelt, too late and tired to get the book out!). Produces very few of the poisonous seeds, a thing of beauty when in flower, doesn't get too big. Or a Malus, say Profusion or John Downie if you're not keen on purplish leaves. Or Acer Brilliantissimum, though it's a slow grower.
5 Jun, 2009
How about a flowering cherry Prunus Pandora or Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet'
6 Jun, 2009
I'm also going to be looking for a tree for the same reason, I'll be interested in all suggestions!
6 Jun, 2009
My Victoria Plum is a good sensable size, as you know you don't want anything with a big root system near the house and oh! the plumbs are beautiful, but just thought may be a bit of a wasp drawer in fruiting time!
6 Jun, 2009
How about Robinia frisia pseudoacacia - that lovely small tree with golden leaves. It looks like sunshine on dull days!
Amelanchier would also be on my list, as would Malus floribunda - pink buds opening to white! Glorious...
6 Jun, 2009
I love that tree too, Spritzhenry, but it does get rather large and isn't good in high winds - branches are brittle and drop off, so I wouldn't want to be sitting under one!
6 Jun, 2009
I have heard that, but we had one back in Kent, and it didn't ever drop any branches! I am not disbelieving you, by the way. I suppose it depends on how sheltered the garden in question is. :-)
6 Jun, 2009
That's interesting Spritz, cos Kent is known for being a windy county. I've certainly experienced the branch drop here in London, though, and we do get much more wind than we used to.
6 Jun, 2009
Thanks everyone. A really interesting list of very attractive trees with many that would do exactly the job I want.
7 Jun, 2009
You could plant another Rowan. or an Amelanchier. Perhaps one of the Cotoneasters . I have a Cotoneaster watererii. which keeps berries until Winter when it is visited by the migrant Thrushes. Redwings and Fieldfares.
5 Jun, 2009