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A year of trees –  the gift that keeps on giving

Trees must surely be the most sustainable and long-term gift you can give. We get the pick of each month from Josh Corbett, team leader for arboriculture at RHS Bridgewater, who encourages us to think afresh when buying trees.

The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.

Nelson Henderson
The gift of a tree may seem a little extraordinary, but what a wonderful gesture, to show someone you love that you think of the future. Planting trees can be extremely rewarding, and being able to watch them as they change from season to season, and from year to year, is endlessly fascinating. Whether you’re buying a tree for a birthday, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or as a thank you, it makes a thoughtful present for someone you love. 


How to choose a tree

To ensure you get the most out of your new tree, it’s essential to get a few things right at the start. Firstly, it’s important to make sure you’re planting the right tree in the right place. Are the soil conditions right, is there enough space, will it get enough light, and will it achieve what you want it to achieve, such as providing a habitat for animals, or shade for your garden? After all, one of the many joys of planting a tree is that they are not just for our benefit but for future generations too, so it’s worth spending time early on to make sure it’s right.

One of the many joys of planting a tree is that they are not just for our benefit but for future generations too.

Josh Corbett
Below Josh suggests some of his favourite trees for each month of the year, and why he thinks each tree works so well within that month. They should all be readily available to buy, so can make a perfect gift for a loved one, at any time of year. Some may be new to you, but it is important we start to use new trees in our garden-matrix, both to increase bio-diversity and introduce more climate-resistant varieties.

January – Tilia cordata ‘Winter Orange’

Tilia cordata ‘Winter orange’ AGM is a cultivar of the small leaved lime, and has fantastic, orange to red colours at the ends of its branches. These glowing, ember-like stems are perfect for deep winter colour, and look stunning against dark backgrounds during the depths of January. Tilia can reach a height of 25m, so you’ll need to make sure you give it some space, or keep it trimmed to size.

Ultimate height 12m+; Time to ultimate height 20–50 years; Ultimate spread 8m+

February – Pinus pinea

Pinus pinea AGM are loved for their evergreen form and structure in the dark winter months. Known as stone, or umbrella pines, they look fantastic in modern and architectural gardens. Reminiscent of Mediterranean holidays, where you often see it growing on sunbaked hillsides, it thrives in a warm spot with free draining soil (pictured middle, in row of trees).

Ultimate height 12m+; Time to ultimate height 50+ years; Ultimate spread 8m+

March - Acer tegmentosum

Acer tegmentosum AGM – I love the blue-green and white snake pattern on the stems and branches of the Manchurian striped maple. This striking little tree is ideal for a flash of interest before everything breaks out in leaf in spring. It is also an excellent choice for small gardens or could be planted in clusters for real impact.

Ultimate height 8–12m; Time to ultimate height 20–50 years; Ultimate spread 4–8m

April – Aesculus x carnea

Aesculus × carnea, the red horse chestnut, attracts a lot of attention for its candle-like flowers in early spring, the pretty pink blooms drawing people in, with its rich, yellow centre. This species of Aesculus also seems to be more resilient to the Horse chestnut leaf-mining moth than the common horse chestnut.

Ultimate height 12m+; Time to ultimate height 20–50 years; Ultimate spread 8m+

May – Crataegus monogyna

Crataegus monogyna, the common hawthorn, is one of my favourite trees and the only native on this list. It has beautifully delicate, white flowers in May, which turn to deep red berries later in the year. I always recommend this for small gardens as it ticks so many boxes: great flowers, interesting fruit, great for wildlife and pollinators, and isn’t too fussy. It can also be used to make a wonderful, wildlife hedge.

Ultimate height 4–8m; Time to ultimate height 10–20 years; Ultimate spread 4–8m

June – Ostrya carpinifolia

© Annette Meyer/Pixabay
The hop hornbeam, Ostrya carpinifolia, is a graceful tree with an elegant form. There is a fantastic specimen at the National Arboretum, Westonbirt that’s very easy to fall in love with. The leaves and bark are similar to hornbeam but with lovely hop shaped flowers in late spring, along with long drooping catkins. It’s a tree that looks great all year round.

Ultimate height 12m+; Time to ultimate height 20–50 years; Ultimate spread 8m+

July – Nothofagus antarctica

Nothofagus antarctica, the antarctic beech, I think, is an underused tree. Native to South America, it grows very well in Britain. Its form is very elegant but what I love most are the small leaves that completely cover the canopy; they’re quite dainty but pull people in for a closer look.

Ultimate height 12m+; Time to ultimate height 50+ years; Ultimate spread 8m+

August – Koelreuteria paniculata

Koelreuteria paniculata, the golden rain tree, or the pride of India, is another tree I think looks great all year round but it’s the flowers in summer that really catch the eye. Beautiful yellow, with a central splash of orangey red that generously cover the crown. Not only is great to look at but it’s also enjoyed by the pollinators.

Ultimate height 8–12m; Time to ultimate height 20–50 years; Ultimate spread 8m+

September – Metasequoia glyptostroboides

This tree really sparks the imagination. Once thought to be extinct and only known by fossil records until discovered in 1941, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, the dawn redwood, obviously needs a bit of room. The trunk can form large buttresses that create wonderful shapes. It’s also one of the few deciduous conifers, and will turn warm brown in autumn before dropping its feathery leaves. If you don’t have space in your own garden for a tree of this size, you could consider donating one to a local park or garden.

Ultimate height 12m+; Time to ultimate height 20–50 years; Ultimate spread 2.5–4m

October – Oxydendrum arboreum

A tree I only recently became familiar with, but instantly fell in love with, is Oxydendrum arboreum. The sorrel tree first produces long, drooping, curved white flowers in late summer and then its leaves turn a rich, vibrant red whilst the flowers persist. At the right moment, the canopy can look like a firework display of reds and whites.  

Ultimate height 8–12m; Time to ultimate height 20–50 years; Ultimate spread 4–8m

November – Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wisley Bonfire’

Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wisley Bonfire’ AGM is ideal for small gardens, if you want vibrant, autumn colour. The leaves turn the brightest red, almost glowing, so it’s sure to steal the show in late autumn with the intensity of its colour.

Ultimate height 12m+; Time to ultimate height 20–50 years; Ultimate spread 4–8m

December – Quercus × crenata ‘Ambrozyana’

This semi-evergreen oak, Quercus × crenata ‘Ambrozyana’ is perfect for the deep winter months when most broadleaves have lost their leaves, providing a rich green canopy throughout the year. A hybrid between Quercus cerris and Quercus suber (cork oak) gives it thick spongy bark that is great for texture.

Ultimate height 12m+; Time to ultimate height 20–50 years; Ultimate spread 8m+


Plant it with love

Once you’ve decided on that perfect tree, here are some simple tips to make sure your tree establishes properly:

  • The best time of year to plant is during the dormant months. November – March is idea but also avoid planting during hard frosts.
  • Dig a square hole just a bit bigger than the rootball/pot. This way the roots will hit the corner of the hole and go into the surrounding soil, finding their new home quickly.
  • Backfill the hole with the same soil you took out. Remove any weeds or grass and try to mimic the surrounding soil profile.
  • A common error is planting the tree too deep. Do not plant deeper than the root collar and make sure no soil is mounded around the base of the stem.
  • Add an organic mulch around the roots, such as bark chip, to a depth of approximately 6cm to retain water and supress weeds.
  • Give it some love afterwards. Make sure it’s well watered during the summer, especially during heat waves. It will probably need watering for at least the first 2 years after planting, depending on soil and location.


About the authors

Josh Corbett is the team leader for arboriculture at RHS Bridgewater. Throughout his career, he has gained a deep interest in trees, particularly in how people live alongside them and interact with them.  He loves to watch the arboreal landscape at Bridgewater develop and is fascinated by the subtle changes that continue year after year.

Natalie Ashbee is the RHS Garden Content Editor. Natalie has worked in Horticulture for more than 20 years; across primary education, garden TV production and planting design. She lives and gardens in West Cornwall.

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Nyssa sylvatica 'Wisley Bonfire' (m)
tupelo 'Wisley Bonfire'
  • Higher than 12 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Nyssa</em> <em>sylvatica</em> 'Wisley Bonfire' (m)
Tilia cordata 'Winter Orange'
small-leaved lime 'Winter Orange'
  • Higher than 12 metres
  • Wider than 8 metres
<em>Tilia</em> <em>cordata</em> 'Winter Orange'
Koelreuteria paniculata
pride of India
  • 8–12 metres
  • Wider than 8 metres
<em>Koelreuteria</em> <em>paniculata</em>
Nyssa sylvatica 'Wisley Bonfire' (m)
tupelo 'Wisley Bonfire'
  • Higher than 12 metres
  • 4–8 metres
<em>Nyssa</em> <em>sylvatica</em> 'Wisley Bonfire' (m)
Tilia cordata 'Winter Orange'
small-leaved lime 'Winter Orange'
  • Higher than 12 metres
  • Wider than 8 metres
<em>Tilia</em> <em>cordata</em> 'Winter Orange'
Koelreuteria paniculata
pride of India
  • 8–12 metres
  • Wider than 8 metres
<em>Koelreuteria</em> <em>paniculata</em>
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