House tree: 11 classic house trees for small to large gardens

2024 Author: Caroline Blare | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:39

Classic house trees are an important part of designing your own garden. With the distinctive trees you can create new spaces and consciously set accents. In addition, trees provide soothing shade from the hot rays of the sun in summer. However, there are a few important points to consider when selecting, planting and caring for them to avoid problems with growth.

Solitary trees for large gardens

When selecting a solitary tree, important criteria must be taken into account, as they usually have immense growth power. Therefore, the achievable width and height of the selected tree must be taken into account in relation to the space available and the overall size of the property. A swing can be hung above it for the children and the branches can be used for climbing. The wood also acts as a privacy and windbreak. The location and soil requirements of the tree species, which must be met on site, are also crucial. In addition, sufficient distance must be maintained when planting the tree from the neighboring property, even if it is fully grown. Woody plants are particularly beautiful and are an eye-catcher in every season. Some varieties impress with a special flower, bright autumn color, a striking fruit display or a characteristic growth habit.

Tip:

With regard to the distances to neighboring property, each federal state has different regulations that must be observed. There is information about this in the respective neighboring rights law.

Maple

The maple has the botanical name Acer and is a particularly robust house tree that is therefore very suitable for cultivation in local gardens. The tree fascinates with the shape and colorfulness of its leaves, which represent a striking splash of color in botany. These continue to change color intensively in autumn, long after other garden plants have lost their colors or even their leaves for some time.

Leaves delight with yellowish to orange-red autumn colors
Needs sunny places to produce bright colors
Grows up to 30 meters high
Prefers well-drained and sandy-loamy soils
Slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is ideal
Elevated locations prevent harmful waterlogging in the root area
Sufficient wind protection required, e.g. B. in front of the house or a wall

Beech

The beech has the botanical name Fagus and is a widespread house tree whose authentic growth captivates the viewer. The tree produces nuts known as beechnuts, which are a sought-after source of food for the garden's residents. Beech trees can live for several centuries and only develop the characteristic beechnuts after a few decades.

Can grow up to 45 m high
Requires spacious locations with plenty of space
Sunny to partially shaded conditions are ideal
Prefers loamy soil with sand or gravel content
Substrate should be permeable, slightly moist and nutrient-rich
A neutral pH value in the soil is optimal
Does not tolerate high lime content in the soil
Sufficient wind protection is required for young plants

Oak

The oak is called Quercus in botany and is a popular house tree, especially in rural areas, which fascinates with its gnarled branches and distinctive leaves. The plants have an impressive lifespan that can last for many centuries. For this reason, the oak can accompany many generations of a family.

Needs sufficient space at the location
Open spaces with lots of light are ideal, partial shade is also tolerated
Trunk can reach a circumference of 15 m, grows up to 40 m high
Forms a sweeping crown
Prefers deep and permeable soil
Loamy substrate is ideal
Tolerates acidic to basic pH values in the soil
Do not plant within reach of pipes and house walls
Roots can cause damage

Pine

The pine has the botanical name Pinus and is a robust conifer that, depending on the variety, has either a sprawling, slender or spherical growth habit. There is a large selection of pine species that can be easily adapted to site conditions and personal preferences. The house tree is often cultivated in the home garden, especially because it is very easy to care for.

Prefers sunny and open locations
Needs nutrient-rich, moist and deep soil qualities
Forms strong taproots
Acidic to neutral pH value of the soil is ideal
The Scots pine is particularly large, growing up to 50 m high
Maintain sufficient distance from house walls and neighboring properties
Pine needles exude a pleasant, resinous scent

Chestnut

The chestnut has the botanical name Castanea and is easily recognizable by its strikingly serrated leaves and nuts. The edible chestnuts are embedded in a hairy and prickly outer shell and fully ripen in autumn. Forms distinctive inflorescences in front of the fruits, which have a high ornamental value. The flowers, leaves and nuts are often used for crafts and decorations.

Needs sunny locations with plenty of space
Can reach heights of up to 40 m
Do not plant in the immediate vicinity of house walls or property lines
Prefers well-drained, fresh, moist and deep substrate
Ideal is a neutral to basic pH value of the soil
Make sure the soil is lime-free
Requires high levels of phosphorus and potassium in the soil

Spruce

The spruce is called Picea in botany and is a fast-growing conifer that impresses with its upright growth. This house tree is very undemanding when it comes to site conditions, as well as when it comes to care. The spruce branches are covered with dark green and sharp needles that remain on the tree for many years. This robust conifer can be used well as winter protection for other garden plants.

Satisfies partial shade locations
Prefer places sheltered from the wind
Forms shallow roots and requires sufficient space
Plan enough distance from house walls and neighboring plants
Moist, humus-rich, permeable and sandy soil qualities are ideal
Make sure the pH value in the soil is acidic to neutral
Spruce twigs are well suited for decorative purposes and as winter protection

Fir tree

The fir tree has the botanical name Abies and is a traditional decorative tree in many households, especially at Christmas. However, it is much more environmentally friendly to plant the Christmas tree in the garden and enjoy this decorative garden element beyond the Christmas season. The classic house tree impresses above all with its densely leafy and evergreen needle shoots.

Can cope with both sunny and shady locations
Moist, humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil qualities are ideal
Taproots need loose and deep soil
Acidic to neutral pH value of the soil is optimal
Is extremely hardy, can tolerate temperatures from -23° C to -45° C
Fir branches can be used as winter protection for other plants

House trees for small gardens

Nowadays gardens are getting smaller and smaller, but the classic house tree can still be planted, in a less large version. Small and slow-growing house trees are ideal for well-arranged gardens. These take many years to reach their final height and do not become too large or powerful even when fully grown. In this way, the trees adapt well to a manageable garden structure. There are many shapes to choose from, with column crowns and spherical crowns being beautifully cut and hanging crowns impressing with their graceful mourning shape. Depending on the variety, the house tree can also establish itself as a fruit provider. Regardless of its size, the house tree becomes an important part of the garden structure, providing pleasant shade and an attractive eye-catcher. This way the whole family can enjoy the house tree for many years.

Apple tree

The apple tree has the botanical name Malus and is a traditional fruit tree in Germany. This not only decorates the orchards, but also the home garden areas as an ornamental tree. The beautiful cup flowers seduce the viewer in spring with a sea of white or pink flowers. In addition, this house tree impresses with its good winter hardiness.

Prefers a sunny location, also thrives in light partial shade
Can grow up to 10 m high, crown becomes up to 10 m wide
Do not plant directly next to a wall
Deep, fresh, moist and humus-rich plant substrate is ideal
Requires slightly acidic to neutral soil pH
You can choose from varieties with high stems as well as half and low stem forms
Frost hardy up to -40° C, does not require additional winter protection

Birch

The easy-care birch is called Betula in botany and has been cultivated as an ornamental and commercial tree in the local latitudes for many millennia. Thanks to the shiny silvery-white trunk, the house tree is an extraordinary ornament for any garden. The toothed birch leaves shine with a strong yellow color in autumn and thus add picturesque accents to the garden structure even towards the end of the year.

Ornamental varieties are ideal for small gardens
Can cope with both sunny and partially shaded locations
Needs moist plant substrate
Grabbly, sandy or peaty clay and loamy soils are optimal
Make sure the pH value in the soil is acidic to neutral
All birch varieties are extremely frost-resistant, down to -45° C
Not suitable for pollen allergy sufferers

Willow

The willow has the botanical name Salix and is preferred by many tree lovers to plant in the garden. The weeping willow in particular is fascinating with its low-hanging branches, which grow fluidly like a curtain of leaves. The delicate inflorescences of the willow tree are known as pussy willows and unfold their colorful display of colors from spring to summer.

Available as ornamental varieties for smaller gardens
Prefers sunny locations
Is hardy down to -40° C
Requires fresh-moist to wet-moist soil qualities
Sandy-clay or loamy-clay plant substrates are ideal
Can cope with acidic to neutral soil pH

Cypress

The evergreen cypress has the botanical name Cupressus and comes from the Mediterranean region and has been established in the local latitudes for many centuries. This house tree is very frugal and green all year round, even in sub-zero temperatures the plants shine in bright shades of green. The cypress forms a coat of scales that cannot be compared to leaves or needles.