Benefits of Trees
Trees are vital instruments in the protection of our environment by carrying out vital functions;
- trees for shelter
- filter out pollutants,
- absorb carbon dioxide
- release oxygen into the atmosphere.
- reduce soil erosion
- protect against flooding.
But trees are also used in many different ways too. Some people use them for shade, to bring colour and wildlife into the gardens. Other people use them for building homes, creating furniture or harvesting as firewood.
Growing your own Trees for Shelter
There are many different kinds of trees available, all serving many different purposes. You can choose between evergreens, deciduous, conifers and broadleaf trees, Evergreen trees are hardy and will retain colour and foilage over the Winter months. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in Autumn, with new growth appearing in Spring. Coniferous trees produce cones instead of flowers and broadleaf trees have larger leaves.
Trees for Shelter
Many Irish homes and garden need trees to plant trees to provide shelter from the weather and the elements. Here’s put top 4 picks for the Irish Climate:
- Alder
- Silver birch
- Scots Pine
- Western Red Cedar
1. Alder Trees – Alnus glutinosa
Alder trees are native to Ireland and an excellent option for screening and shelterbelting. Their large leaves offer coverage in the Summer months, whilst their feathered and bushy nature offers coverage in the Winter months. They are nitrogen fixing trees and will improve the quality of the soil in which they are planted. They are also water loving and will thrive in wet marshy soils and along river banks.
Characteristics
Dediduous trees with large green leaves, feathered formation and catkins in Spring months.
Soil Conditions
Planting
2. Silver Birch – Betula pendula
An incredibly popular tree in the Irish garden due to it’s striking silvery brown bark, fast growing nature and attractive formation, Silver Birch are an ideal option for providing shelter and breaking the wind in the garden setting. Silver Birch can be pruned to maintain a smaller nature also.
Characteristics
Properties
Planting
Silver Birch trees can tolerate many soil conditions and will even improve soil quality. They are a vital tree for insects and birds, providing shelter and food to over 300 species of insects.
3. Scots Pine – Pinus sylvesteris
An evergreen option for providing shelter, Scots Pines are another excellent native choice.
Characteristics
Soil Conditions
Planting
Scots Pines are available as smaller bare root plants or as a larger 3ft Root Balled plant. Root ball plants are planted in the hessian net, which composts down over time.
4. Western Red Cedar – Thuja pilcata
A non-native yet excellent evergreen option of a tree that will provide shelter quickly. Western Red Cedars are a fast-growing tall tree that can be pruned annually to maintain as a hedge also.
Characteristics
Flattened sprays of glossy green foilage extend from a dark reddish brown ridged bark.
Properties
Fast growing with a growth rate of 2ft per year, these trees will thrive in most soil types and in fact are tolerant of dense shaded areas.
Planting
Plant from pots all year round or as larger plants in a rootball during Winter months. Plant at a spacing of 1 metre apart in a hedge setting.
Here at Cullen Nurseries, we are an award winning DAFM approved nursery and we love to help customers make the right choice. We are growing our large range of native trees and hedging plants in our natural nursery in Carlow. Offering a nationwide delivery service means we can supply you with the perfect plants for your needs, wherever you are based. Book an appointment to come and view our Native Nursery and plants in person or order online for nationwide delivery.
