Sunday, November 16, 2008

Trunk Value - Two

Another really attractive betula is the River Birch. We grow several specimen trees, but here I'm trying to create a little grove that we can walk amongst. Its not been very successful yet because I bought bargain trees that were in poor condition and there's been a lot of die-back. But lots of peeling bark, which is main attraction. When I prune back some branches next spring, we should be able to walk amongst them.

The only reason to grow Prunus 'serrula' is for its trunk. Its really glossy and I'm told rather phallic when the tree is about three years old. In my experience, this tree grows quite quickly, but will not become any taller than twenty feet. i think it looks better if some lower branches are removed - usually the case when the trunk is the attractive feature. There's another one in the background, together with two specimen River Birchs.
And sorry about the layout of this post. Just cannot get things right tonight.


6 comments:

Anonymous said...

The Bute Park Arboritum is worth a visit, bit unfortunate that the trees aren't labeled. There's a very nice avenue of Gengko's behind the castle running parallel wtih the Tennis courts.

It's unfortunate that Wales doesn't have it's own National Arboritum like Westonbirt in South Glocestershire.

Glyn Davies said...

anon - I will make a point of visiting. Where precisely is it? I agree about Westonbirt.

Anonymous said...

It's the patch of green, three of the four sides are enclosed by the river Taff, Castle Street and North Road, google Cardiff Castle and click on Maps

Anonymous said...

Found it yet?

Then click on satellite, zoom in at the top on the castle, you will see tennis courts, to the left an avenue of gengkos, underneath the tennis courts is a avenue (short) of Tulip trees.

Glyn Davies said...

anons - thanks

Anonymous said...

...aim to please.