Trees in parks and gardens 2013

[freddyvl]

Yet in the open garden:
. Viburnum foetens: fragrant, medium sized shrub, white flowers (occasionally pink in bud) from mid-winter to early spring;
. Chimonanthus praecox: (Winter sweet) medium sized winter-flowering shrub, very fragrant (sweetly scented).

[Stephenb]

Can anyone tell me what this is? The picture is from Southern Germany

[Gail]

Stachyurus praecox I think.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Hyde-Hall/About-HydeHall/Plant-of-the-month/March/Stachyurus-praecox

[Stephenb]

Thanks, Gail!!

[Roma]

My lovely birch trees - Betula utilis, grown from seed collected by Ron McBeath in 1982.  They have grown far too big, shading the garden and making it too dry.  My husband has been nagging me for years to get rid of them.  They were due for the chop on Thursday but it was far too stormy for the tree surgeon to work so they are still here.

[Maggi Young]

Could you not retain one of them, Roma?

[Roma]

I've thought about it, Maggi but the one on the left is crowding the rowan which is crowding an Acer which I want to keep.  The one on the right is too close to the electricity wires and the centre one is very tall.  I've thought about having the crowns thinned and the height reduced but it would have to be repeated.  I am now looking forward to a planting opportunity.  There are a few seedlings scattered around the garden so I'll dig them out and plant one or two in another spot.  Only 30 years till they get that big again

[Maggi Young]

Very positive attitude, Roma.

[Margaret]

Maybe you could make something out of the beautiful bark, Roma. Examples on google.

[Roma]

Man at work
Logs
Chippings
Planting opportunity