Shaped trees

Pruning every year

You can restrict some trees to a particular shape and size by pruning - the so-called shaped trees.

By pruning them every year, they continue to fit nicely in the garden. More new species are available to buy every year.  Popular examples are the roof-trained London planes (Platanus acerifolia) and roof-trained mulberries (Morus) which are used on patios a lot. Roof-trained mulberries also give delicious fresh-tasting fruit.

In fact pollarded trees such as large-leaved limes (Tilia platyphyllos) are also shaped trees. Pollarded trees are cut right back every couple of years.

Rounded shapes

Rounded trees or trees with a small crown are popular garden favourites. Plus the very dense branches in the crown make these an ideal nesting spot for many species of bird.

Examples of trees with a round crown:

• Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’ (rounded Norway maple), crown grows to a substantial size after a few years
• Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Brilliantissimum’, the young leaves have an eye-catching colour
• Catalpa bignonioides ‘Nana’ (rounded Indian bean tree), ‘Nana’ does not flower
• Fraxinus ornus ‘Meczek’, coloured foliage in autumn
• Prunus × eminens ‘Umbraculifera’, tight closed rounded shape
• Robinia pseudoacacia ‘Umbraculifera’(rounded acacia)
• Salix babylonica ‘Umbraculifera’, regular pruning keeps the crown in check
• Tilia tomentosa ‘Hungary Globe’, (silver lime) grows slowly with compact, even crown.