Trees for a new woodland garden...

[WimB]

Some thoughts:

-- Sorbus species are generally not as healthy in the Low Countries as they are in the UK.
-- Acer griseum is a beautiful small tree but is prone to verticilium wilt (especially as a young plant). Acer triflorum is not as showy as A. griseum but might be a better choice when it comes to a healthy tree.
-- Davidia involucrata can grow quite big, maybe in the long run too big for a somewhat small garden. Furthermore, some people find that the spring leafs of Davidia smell like cat pee. (For me they smell like stinging nettles).
-- Japanese cherries have in the last few years been attacked in the Low Countries by the Monilinia fungus which leads to wilting and branch die back.
-- So many Cornus florida shrubs/trees I see are covered in powdery mildew in the summer. A much better choice is Cornus kousa which performs well in most years in the Low Countries.
-- Malus/Crabapples have a lot to offer but be sure to pick one that is sufficienly resistant to scab and mildew.


My choice would be one or two of the following:

- Styrax japonicus
- Stewartia pseudocamellia or rostrata
- Cornus kousa chinensis or a reliable cultivar of Cornus kousa
- Acer triflorum
- Halesia diptera magniflora (a short flowering period but magical when in full bloom)
- Malus 'Red Sentinel'

Garden Prince (who lives in The Netherlands)

Thanks GP...

I find monilinia can be stopped with trichoderma...I grow Cronus kousa 'Schmetterling' already and that one is really beautiful!

[WimB]

Another tree that might be of interest is Alnus.  Fast growth, light shade, suited for coppicing, fallen leaves decompose very quickly in autumn, nice early flowering, natural nitrate fertiliser, won't seed themselves around unless the soil is boggy (at least for the 2 indigenous varieties).

Hadn't thought about Alnus, a nice tree indeed! Merci, François.

[François Lambert]

There used to be lots of Acer Negundo in my parent's garden.  They are extremely fast growing when young but don't get that tall when adult, so if you want quickly trees of some size they might be en interesting choice.  Or else you can opt for Acer Campestre as an indigeneous choice.  Both trees have also the advantage that the fallen leaves will not make a 'carpet' on the soil allowing other plants to sprout freely in spring.