andrewpreece16/2/04 1:06
Hello Folks,

I am looking for ideas for a specimen tree ( a standard ), no higher
than 25 feet, if possible less. I'm in a v. mild area, clay soil and the
tree would be in full sun, pretty much. It would be nice if it didn't cast
dense shadow.

It's a bit of a cliche but Robinia Pseudoacacia "Frisia" looks a
candidate, though I'm disappointed to see it doesn't flower. Other
candidates are Mimosa, some form of Japanese maple that I could trim in the
"cloud" style perhaps, maybe even the humble hawthorn ( I found one growing
at the bottom of my garden the other day, it's still only small ).

I'd really like something that had attractive flowers, attractive
foliage/stems, and coloured up in autumn, maybe even with berries but I may
be asking too much here! BTW I already have a Magnolia and a Laburnum ( nice
flower tassles, nothing to get excited about for the other 11 months of the
year ).

If anyone has any suggestions or any pro/con comments on the trees
I've mentioned I would be grateful,


Have a Google Image search for Cornus controversa aureomarginata. As a
specimen 'show' tree it would be unequalled, IMO. (It's also known as 'the
wedding cake tree')
Another beautiful foliage tree is Gleditsia triacanthos 'Sunburst'.
I have also seen a Cotoneaster grown as a (very small) but really beautiful
and unusual standard. It looks like a sort of umbrella shape and is on a
patch of grass near the zebra crossing outside Dartington Cider Press for
anyone who knows this area! However, I doubt it's more than 4' or so tall.
Mimosa is lovely in the right climate but both it and Japanese maples don't
take kindly to much wind. That said, our Mimosa which is currently looking
so wonderful is a ten year old shoot from the base of one blown down in a
storm! The maple Sen-Kaki has wonderful coral red stems in winter and
leaves that go butter yellow in autumn and are spectacular.

--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)