Choosing Your Ideal Trees

In Scarlett's Garden, we believe the right tree can transform your yard into a sanctuary. Whether you're looking for fruit-bearing trees to enjoy fresh produce, shade trees to cool your home, or ornamental trees to enhance your garden's beauty, we have expert recommendations tailored to your zone and preferences.

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the Advantages of Trees in Your Garden

Trees are beyond mere adornments; they are fundamental to nurturing a thriving garden ecosystem. The benefits of integrating trees into your landscape offer,

  • Essential shade
  • Enhanced air quality
  • Fostering biodiversity

Ideal Small Garden Trees

Tree selection benefits the design and feel of your garden. For a small garden, always start with an evergreen when possible. Below are our selection of ideal small trees for Gardening Zone 6 and Gardening Zone 7:

  1. 'Schwoebel Upright' llex crenata:
    • Mature size: 12' x 5' 
    • Placement: Full Sun to Full Shade
    • Planting: Allow 6 to 12" between root ball and the sides of the hole. The top of the root ball should be slightly higher than the soil grade. Backfill with top soil.
    • Maintenance: During the growing season, provide ample water and add fertilizer twice.
  2. Crape Myrtle
  3. ‘North Star’ White Spruce
  4. Leyland Cypress

General Tree Caring Tips

Caring for your trees is vital to their health and longevity. From the right time to plant to how to water and prune properly, our tips ensure your trees thrive in all seasons. Protecting your trees from pests and diseases, will enhance a lush, vibrant garden year-round.

Though you need to be precise for tree planting and maintenance, some general provisions can meet your regular needs and provide trees with a healthy body.

  1. Regular Watering: Ensure your trees receive adequate water, especially during dry periods.
  2. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of your trees to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
  3. Pruning: Regular pruning helps maintain tree health, promotes proper structure, and removes dead or diseased branches.
  4. Fertilization: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer suitable for the tree species.
  5. Protecting Against Pests and Diseases: Monitor your trees for signs of pest infestations or diseases and take appropriate action promptly.

Tree Sapling: Growing essentials

Tree Sapling planting is a great way to make your own unique contribution in your garden and the ecosystem at large. Sapling trees are dormant but still full of life and need proper care to grow! Here is some advice we have after planting two Norway Spruce tree saplings in our garden:

Which Sapling to choose? If you have the vertical room, we suggest the Norway Spruce. The Norway spruce tree is the fasted growing sapling. At maturity, these evergreen trees have strong branches covered with dark green needles.

What factors to consider? Location. Make sure your sapling will have plenty of room to grow (both by width and vertically) with the right amount of shade and sun exposure. If you don't have the room for a Norway Spruce, consider the Maple Tree sapling.

Planting? After digging and placing your sapling in the ground, you can recover with dirt and add a top layer of soil.

Watering? Saplings need plenty of water to be established, especially for the first three years. 

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