By Feature - Shade

Aesculus × carnea 'Briotii', commonly known as the Red Horse Chestnut, is a striking deciduous tree that is a hybrid between the common horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and the red buckeye (Aesculus pavia). The cultivar 'Briotii' is particularly renowned for its vibrant pink-red flowers, which appear in late spring and early summer. These flowers are arranged in large, upright panicles and are a key feature that makes this tree a favourite in ornamental planting schemes.

Reaching a height of 12 to 15 metres (40 to 50 feet), Aesculus × carnea 'Briotii' forms a broad, rounded crown, with a dense canopy that provides excellent shade. Its dark green, palmate leaves consist of five leaflets and can grow up to 15 to 20 centimetres in length. In autumn, the foliage may turn yellow before falling, although the autumn colour is not as striking as in some other trees.

Unlike its parent, the common horse chestnut, the Red Horse Chestnut produces fewer fruits (conkers). The nuts that do form are small, spiny, and less abundant, making the tree a cleaner choice for gardens and streetscapes where fallen conkers can be a nuisance.

Aesculus × carnea 'Briotii' thrives best in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, moist soil. It is fairly tolerant of urban pollution, making it a popular choice for parks, large gardens, and urban environments. 

Overall, Aesculus × carnea 'Briotii' is valued for its aesthetic appeal, particularly the vivid blooms, and its ability to provide shade and structure in landscapes, making it a desirable ornamental tree for a variety of settings.

The Acer campestre 'Fastigiatum, commonly known as the upright field maple, is a popular cultivar of the field maple tree, native to Europe and parts of Asia. Known for its compact and columnar growth habit, this tree is often used in urban landscaping, parks, and gardens due to its ability to thrive in various environments.

The 'Fastigiatum' cultivar is characterised by its narrow, upright form, making it ideal for smaller spaces or as a vertical accent in landscape designs. It typically grows to a height of 10 to 15 metres, with a width of about 4 to 6 metres. The tree's branches grow tightly together, giving it a dense, pillar-like appearance. This makes it a preferred choice for creating natural screens or for lining avenues and pathways.

The leaves of the Acer campestre 'Fastigiatum' are small, five-lobed, and dark green during the growing season, turning to a golden yellow in autumn, adding seasonal interest to any setting. The tree produces small, inconspicuous yellow-green flowers in spring, followed by winged seeds, known as samaras, that are typical of maple trees.

One of the advantages of this cultivar is its hardiness and adaptability. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils, and is resistant to pollution, making it suitable for urban areas. The tree is also drought-tolerant once established, though it prefers well-drained soil with moderate moisture.

Acer campestre 'Fastigiatum' requires minimal maintenance, with occasional pruning to maintain its shape. It is relatively pest-free and can thrive in full sun to partial shade. Overall, this upright field maple is a versatile and attractive choice for landscapes, offering structure, colour, and resilience.

The Betula nigra ‘Heritage’, commonly known as the Heritage River Birch or Black Birch, is a deciduous tree native to the eastern United States. It is celebrated for its distinctive, attractive bark and robust nature, making it a popular choice for ornamental planting in the UK.

The Heritage River Birch can grow to a height of 21 metres, with a spread of 9 to 12 metres. It has a rounded to pyramidal shape when young, maturing into an irregular oval or rounded form. The leaves are simple, ovate, and serrated, displaying a vibrant green colour during the growing season, which turns a striking yellow in autumn.

One of the most notable features of the Betula nigra ‘Heritage’ is its exfoliating bark. The bark peels away in layers, revealing a patchwork of colours ranging from creamy white and pinkish-tan to reddish-brown, providing year-round visual interest. This characteristic bark makes the tree particularly attractive in winter landscapes when foliage is absent.

This cultivar is highly tolerant of various soil conditions, including wet soils, which makes it ideal for planting near water bodies or in poorly drained areas.

Betula nigra ‘Heritage’ prefers full sun to partial shade. The tree is relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal pruning and care once established. Its resilience, ornamental bark, and attractive foliage make it a desirable choice for gardens, parks, and urban landscapes.

Castanea sativa, commonly known as the Sweet Chestnut tree, is a majestic and long-lived species native to Europe and parts of Asia Minor. Belonging to the Fagaceae family, it stands as a symbol of strength and resilience in many cultures, with its towering stature and deeply furrowed bark.

The leaves of Castanea sativa are distinctively long and lance-shaped, with serrated edges that give them a rough texture. During the spring and summer, the canopy is adorned with clusters of creamy-white flowers, which give way to spiky green husks containing the prized sweet chestnuts in autumn.

Sweet chestnuts, often referred to simply as "chestnuts," have been a staple food source for centuries, cherished for their rich, nutty flavor and versatile culinary applications. Whether roasted over an open fire, boiled and mashed into a creamy puree, or incorporated into hearty stews and stuffing recipes, chestnuts are celebrated in both sweet and savory dishes throughout the UK.

Beyond their culinary significance, sweet chestnut trees play a vital ecological role, providing habitat and sustenance for a diverse array of wildlife. Birds, such as blue tits and nuthatches, feast on the tree's seeds, while small mammals like squirrels rely on them as a seasonal food source.

Despite their resilience, sweet chestnut trees face threats from various pests and diseases, including chestnut blight and ink disease, which have impacted populations in some regions. Conservation efforts aim to preserve these iconic trees and their valuable genetic diversity for future generations to enjoy.

Acer palmatum dissectum, commonly known as the laceleaf Japanese maple, is a popular ornamental tree renowned for its intricate, finely divided foliage. This deciduous shrub or small tree is part of the Aceraceae family and originates from Japan, Korea, and China. It typically grows to a height of 2 to 3 meters (6 to 10 feet) with a similar spread, making it a perfect choice for small gardens and container planting.

The leaves of Acer palmatum dissectum are deeply lobed and serrated, resembling delicate lace. Throughout the seasons, the foliage transitions from a vibrant green in spring and summer to spectacular shades of red, orange, and purple in autumn, providing year-round interest. The tree's cascading, weeping habit adds an elegant and graceful element to any landscape design.

Acer palmatum dissectum prefers a position in partial shade with well-drained, moist soil. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning to maintain its shape. This tree is also known for its resilience to pests and diseases. Its compact size and striking appearance make it an excellent choice for adding structure and color to garden borders, patios, and rockeries in British gardens.

The Tilia cordata Winter Orange standard tree is a striking and elegant ornamental tree that stands at approximately 300cm (3 meters) in height with a clear stem. This cultivar of the common European linden, or small-leaved lime, is renowned for its unique winter characteristics.

During the winter months, the Tilia cordata Winter Orange standard tree displays a remarkable transformation. Its deciduous leaves turn a vibrant and eye-catching shade of orange, creating a stunning contrast against the otherwise barren winter landscape. The clear stem, which refers to the tall, unbranched section of the tree, provides a clean and structured appearance, allowing the full beauty of the winter foliage to be showcased.

Aside from its aesthetic appeal, this tree also offers environmental benefits. It provides a valuable source of nectar for pollinators during its summer bloom and offers excellent shade and cooling in the warmer months. Moreover, the Tilia cordata Winter Orange standard tree is relatively low-maintenance and adapts well to various soil types and growing conditions.

In summary, the Tilia cordata Winter Orange standard tree is a captivating addition to any landscape, particularly during the winter season when its bright orange leaves create a memorable visual spectacle. Its manageable size and low maintenance requirements make it an ideal choice for gardens, parks, and urban settings.

Platanus Hispanica, commonly known as the London Plane tree, is a large deciduous tree that is highly valued for its ornamental qualities and tolerance to urban environments.

This tree can reach heights of up to 100 feet and has a spreading canopy that can be up to 70 feet wide, making it an excellent choice for providing shade in parks, gardens, and other public spaces. Its leaves are large, lobed, and glossy green, turning yellow in the fall before dropping.

Platanus Hispanica is highly tolerant of pollution, drought, and heat, making it an ideal choice for urban areas where other trees may struggle to survive. It is also resistant to disease and pests, which means it requires minimal maintenance.

At the tree nursery, we offer Platanus Hispanica in a range of sizes, from saplings to mature specimens. Our trees are carefully selected and grown to ensure they are healthy and ready to thrive in any environment. With its striking appearance and hardiness, Platanus Hispanica is an excellent choice for any landscape project.