Autumn 2019
Trees — the best shade
Over these past, hot summer months, it is apparent to most of us that it's not that pleasant to spend time under the midday sun here in Australia. The romantic idea of lunching in our gardens is in fact a largely uncomfortable experience, exposed to heat, sun-burn and glare as we search for some shade. Especially if it's under the lush canopy of a beautiful tree.
plant a tree!
With your own garden, the most important thing I believe you can include as a feature element is a shade tree. A specimen tree is a 'place maker', giving a special identity to your landscape and lending it a nice sense of scale and intimacy.
If there are concerns for loss of light during the darker months, then a deciduous species is a good choice. Losing its leaves in winter allows northern light into the garden and house windows.
Trees are nature's air-conditioning. Not only do they provide shade, they also cool the air through transpiration. Water is absorbed through the roots and released into the air by leaves. Evaporative cooling! Trees provide other incredibly important benefits to each of us, the community and the environment, including:
improving air quality and providing a cleaner atmosphere;
absorbing carbon dioxide and sequestering carbon;
improving habitat for birds and insects, 'balancing' our ecosystem;
reducing the impact of heavy rainfall via the canopy of leaves, helping to reduce flooding, erosion and damage to surfaces (roads, paving);
providing a sense of peace, improving our health and lowering stress levels;
improving privacy to properties; and
increasing property values.
Image: @kcompitus via Instagram
Image: @thehomepageuk via Instagram
As an arboricultural colleague once told me,
“The best time to plant a tree was 60 years ago. The second best time is today.”
So start thinking now about the perfect tree species for your garden, and get ready to plant it in late autumn or winter, when it's cooler and the tree's growth has slowed.
Feel free to ask me about the right tree choice, or about your landscape design in general.
Image: @maria__vaxthus_0_tradgard via Instagram