Stories of Ash

The Ash tree has followed in the footsteps of man since prehistoric times. Foraging, medicinal, tool handles, bow wood, it was said to have the power to protect from snakes.

An everyday tree

Ash trees can be found along meadows, along roadsides, mixed with oak trees in forests, on fresh and deep fertile soils. Common everywhere in France, except the Mediterranean region, they have been part of people's daily lives for a long time. Of the Oleaceae family, three species of Ash are found in Europe, including the high Ash, Fraxinus excelsior. A popular tree with many uses, it can exceed 35 meters in height, straight, slender, flexible, young among its own kind, hardly exceeding two hundred years.

Ash recipes

The ash tree, renowned in the past, is back in fashion. A sparkling drink to be consumed fresh, it is concocted from infused leaves. Sugar and yeast are added, after a time of fermentation in carboys the juice obtained is preserved in pressure bottles.

The "bird's tongues", fruits or samaras of the ash trees, are prepared, still green, as condiments after being boiled and put in brine or vinegar.

From the memory of the breeder, the Ash foliage was used to feed the animals, in vegetation but also dried as a complement to the winter fodder. The characteristic silhouettes of pruned and re-pruned ash trees, known as trognes or pollards, still stand in hedges and forests.

Medicinal properties, the tree of centenarians

The Ash is reputed to act against joint pain and is used in the composition of "centenarian" teas. The leaves in infusion, the fruits rather in decoction, are indeed antirheumatic, antigouty, but also diuretic, tonic, laxative, sudorific.

The bark, renowned for its febrifuge properties, was worth naming the Ash the Quinquina of Europe. It is also cited for its astringent, tonic and expectorant properties. The juice extracted from the leaves would be an interesting antivenom to study.

Uses of Ash

Although Ash wood is moderately hard, it is very supple and elastic, strong and resistant to bending and shocks. It is particularly suitable for making handles, shovels, picks, etc. Its qualities allow it to be used in veneers, in carpentry, but also for oars, rifle butts, clogs, bending wood... The burls and roots are appreciated in cabinet making, it also turns very well. And if it is not worked, it becomes firewood or coal, of quality. And among its many qualities, we can add its dyeing use, the bark of the branches gives a beautiful greenish color.

Some stories...

If its branches were used as a magic wand, the Ash would have had the power to keep away snakes, which feared its shadow, its leaves on the ground. Legend that deserves to be studied...

It is also found in the tales and legends of trees, its powerful roots, its solid foundation, its top slung towards the sky have earned it the right to be assimilated to Yggdrasil, the mythical world tree, more often corresponding to the Yew or the Oak.

Today's Ash in its relationship with man can find a new place in parks and gardens, as much for its uses as for its ornamental qualities.

Chickweed, botanical description

The area of the black ash tree

The common nannyberry is very present in Lorraine and Alsace. It is found scattered in the oak forests or oak-beech forests of the Lorraine plateau, as well as in the beech forests of the limestone plateaus. It is rarer in the hills under the Vosges.

Portrait of the mountain ash

Chestnut tree is a precious wood species that can live for several centuries.

Despite its slow growth, it can climb to 15 or even 17 meters high. It colonizes the land in small groups.

Its foliage is quite dense and its white flowers appear in May. They have male and female organs and are pollinated by insects.

Enemies of the mountain ash

Chestnut is susceptible to 'fire blight', an infectious disease found in many trees of the Rosaceae family, to which it belongs.

Symptoms of the disease: the tips of the branches take on a burnt appearance.

The other enemy of the torminal tree is the torse fiber, a genetic defect that depreciates its wood, which is then said to be screwed.

The qualities of the wood of the black cherry tree

The wood of the black ash is generally reddish, more or less dark, with a fine grain, a density and an appreciable heaviness.

It is also a stable wood, which works well. It is used in particular to manufacture precision instruments and mechanical parts. Thus, it is used in violin making and marquetry.

Planting advice

The black locust is a species of plain and hillside that supports low temperatures and resists well to spring frosts. It also tolerates summer droughts and warm exposures.

It is a light tree that appreciates open exposures. However, a light shade, not very sustained, improves its form.

If it remains in a coppice for several years, it will eventually lack vigor and, without clearance, it will wither.

It likes to grow in soils that receive a regular supply of water, but it can be satisfied with drier environments.

Alder, the guardian of open water

The Alder has followed man along the rivers for thousands of years. Medicinal tree, fertilizer of wetlands, wood with multiple uses, it is also the guardian, often beneficial, sometimes worrying, of open waters.

The tree of water

The Alder, Aulne, Verne, Vergne, erects its trunks with dark bark, anchors its roots on the banks of rivers, streams, ponds. Water is its element. Alongside the Willow and the Poplar, it settles, often alone or in small groups, the forests of yesteryear rarely exist anymore. For a long time, it has lived alongside the beaver, and knows how to reject the stump at each cut. But even its vigorous rejections will not guarantee it a long life, 100 years at most. This cousin of the birch will be adorned all winter with small dark cones, to be picked for Christmas decorations, with a few pieces of bark to fight against fever...

Medicinal properties

Forgotten, the medicinal properties of the Alder were once recognized. The leaves are to be collected at the end of spring, they can be dried or used fresh. In internal use they would be sudorific, diuretic and vermifuge. The external use is recommended for the feet of the walkers, deposited fresh in the shoes they would have soothing virtues. They are also quoted as antigalactogenic, allowing to decrease and to dry up the rises of milk. Wrapping fresh leaves under a thick quilt would alleviate any rheumatism.

The properties of the bark should not be minimized, harvested at the end of winter, just before the rise of sap, it is used for its astringent, tonic, relaxing and febrifuge virtues.

Agricultural uses

The networked roots of the Alder provide an effective fixation of the banks, avoiding the disappearance of agricultural plots, washed away at each flood. Foresters and farmers also use it to enrich the land with nitrogen. Used to difficult soils, the Alder has developed a root symbiosis with a nitrogen-fixing bacterium, just like legumes. Its cultivation thus makes it possible to prepare future exploitable plots.

A valued wood

Reddish when cut, Alder wood lightens up when dried. Homogeneous, light and soft, it is used for sculpture, and is sought after by turners. It is easily stained black, and thus resembles ebony. Clogs, but also fiber panels, containers and kitchen cutlery, its uses are multiple, up to its long stems perfect for ladders. Outside, exposed alternately to dryness and humidity, it rots very quickly. But at constant humidity or immersed, it is rot-proof, and was used as a drain (faggots), gutters, and especially pilings, the major foundation of the houses of Venice.

Various uses

In fire, Alder emits a lively heat giving off very little smoke, a property sought after by bakers and glassmakers. The dyeing properties of its bark, black tint, is still used for felt and hats. The tanning of skins in the Nordic countries uses its high concentration of tannins.

Its branches would have a certain attraction for many insects and mites, the leaves deposited on the ground serve as a refuge for fleas, ticks, various parasites. It is enough after a few hours to collect the whole and to burn, the places are clean.

Some stories

The rivers share their legends with the Aulne, the tree that guards the banks. Like the waters, it carries secrets and spells, beneficial or evil depending on the region. It is said to be the "witches' tree", its charcoal was used to draw magic circles, its branches to make fairy wands. Does its red color when felled come from blood tears? The druids would have passed there, it is said that they read the future in the smoke of the barks...

Familiar to man and riverbanks, but forgotten in the landscape, the Aulne is a tree to be rediscovered. For its properties, its stories, but also its place in the wet ecosystems, a real refuge for a varied fauna, from the tip of the leaves to the multiple nooks and crannies of its roots plunging into the water.

Beech, a tree of elegant nobility

The beech forest has accompanied man for thousands of years. Its names, fau, fayard, fouteau, fouillard, resound in the shade of many localities. Let's discover this elegantly noble tree.

A tree of the shade

The common beech, Fagus sylvatica, appreciates the humidity and coolness of the mountains, the northern or sub-Atlantic regions, the shade of its fellow trees... Present in many French forests, it sometimes imposes itself in exclusive beech forests, or associates with oak, ash, fir, and sometimes spruce. Adapted to all types of soils, deep in valleys, superficial on outcropping rocks, it will show some reluctance for acidity. Remarkable tree of our forests, the beech owes its reputation to its haughty beauty, to its qualities of firewood, but also to its small edible fruits, its medicinal properties buried in our memories, its varied uses and its forgotten legends.

Recipes from beech

"Beech acorn", the common name for the beech tree's crown, recalls the time when pigs were fed with the fruits of the forest, under the oak or beech groves. But this small triangular fruit appreciated by domestic and wild animals is not disdained by man. Peeled and crunched raw, it is pleasant. Roasted in a frying pan, its flavor is even better. However, its consumption must remain limited, as the side effects are known to occur in quantity. Horses are particularly sensitive to it. If the sedge is eaten, its oil, which was extremely famous in its time, is of excellent quality, without toxic active ingredients. The only concern is the irregularity of production, as beech trees bear fruit irregularly, and 2 to 3 years can pass without fruit...

In other times, during periods of famine, boiled beechnuts and dried bark were crushed and mixed with barley or oats.

Medicinal properties

If the oak deserves attention for its multiple medicinal properties, sometimes forgotten, the beech remains discreet, in the therapeutic shadow of its colleague. Its leaves were once prescribed as detersive and astringent, its bark would also be astringent. It was compared to cinchona for its febrifuge actions, harvested on the young twigs of 2 to 3 years. Creosote, an antiseptic and disinfectant, is derived from beechwood tar. It is more used for entomological boxes than for therapeutic purposes, as it is currently considered harmful. Beech charcoal is said to be bactericidal and anti-tubercular. The buds are used in gemmotherapy, they could play a role in the functioning of the kidney.

Uses of beech

Beech adapts easily to different environments, but its wood is changed. Its colors and properties vary according to the habitat, the calcareous soils of the plain will favor a clear, yellowish white wood, easy to work, while the siliceous soils of the mountains will see a harder, nervous wood grow, turning pinkish and even reddish, more difficult to work. The uses are multiple, furniture, paper pulp, fiberboard, flooring and paneling, objects worked on the lathe, oars, shovels, agricultural tools, buckets. The clog makers considered it the best wood after walnut. Not very resistant to bad weather, it must be treated to last. Thus coated with creosote, its own tar, it will line up alongside oak to serve as railroad ties.

Although it can be worked well, except for lumber, beech has a solid reputation as a firewood, as well as for its coal.

In the past, the soft autumn leaves filled canvas bags that served as mattresses, just like dried fern.

Some stories...

Slender and majestic, smooth and shiny bark, sumptuous autumn colors... The beech would be of the nobility of trees, bearer of softness, of female knowledge. It evokes a strong vitality, a power that would come from the stones that mix with it when lichens cover them both. If it does not support lightning and solitude, different from the oak, it symbolizes mutual aid, the united forest.

The magical virtues of the beech wand, divinatory if necessary but also capable of paralyzing snakes, are still cited by some elders.

The beech was used in small sticks by the Germans to write their alphabet, the runes, its name is also found in the German literary vocabulary.

A tree of freshness, familiar to our forests and parks where the majestic silhouettes of the purple beeches stand, will the beech be able to adapt to global warming?

The birch, an elegant and appreciated tree

Elegant and appreciated ornamental tree, the Birch has accompanied man since prehistoric times. Its recognized medicinal properties and its many and varied uses have made it a fundamental plant in the daily life of mankind.

The white tree

Birches, rarely solitary trees, mark the landscape with their clear silhouettes and delicate foliage. Elegance and lightness characterize them. Two large species are found in Europe, from the Betulaceae family, the Warty Birch and the Pubescent Birch, the latter preferring humid areas. Pioneers, they like cleared lands, burned, full light. They settle down, renew themselves, the time of a passage of life of man, their longevity does not exceed 100 years, 150 at most. Their properties are common and multiple...

Medicinal properties

More and more recognized and appreciated, the medicinal properties of Birch deserve to be considered.

Internally they present mainly diuretic, depurative, anti-rheumatic interests. The infusion of leaves and the decoction of buds are used in the care of renal colic, dropsy, cellulite... The sap, whose reputation continues to grow, is harvested at the end of winter, at the first signs of spring. Spring cures are recommended, in small doses, a few tablespoons per day. Its antioxidant properties are in the taste of the day, its possible role also in the regulation of intestinal disorders.

Externally the decoction of leaves or bark is detersive, disinfectant and would cure many skin problems. Leaves enveloping the body or painful organs soothe rheumatism, just like Alder leaves.

A wood with variable but numerous qualities

The white wood of Birch can be yellowish or even reddish. Neither too hard nor too heavy, it is easy to work, and is of better quality when subjected to harsh climatic conditions, in the mountains or in Northern Europe, with a slower growth.

It lends itself to turning, for the manufacture of plates, bowls, spoons, various utensils. Its lack of tannins favors food contact. Used for the manufacture of light and solid clogs, the carpentry will appreciate it for the structures of furniture. The cabinetmaking with appropriate dyes will transform it into walnut and mahogany; its wood sometimes knotty or "madré", intertwining of fibers, in some Warty Birch, will be of the most beautiful effect.

The long list is completed by the use of the young flexible stems to tie up barrels, to make tool handles, ladders, but also paper pulp, fiberboard, thin plywood, models...

An all-purpose bark

If Birch wood has many uses, its bark is not to be outdone, far from it. Highly concentrated in resins, it does not degrade, and was used, and is still used, to waterproof roofs, make hats, capes, baskets, belts, mats... The Amerindian dugouts were famous for their lightness and their capacity to carry heavy loads. As early as prehistoric times, boxes were designed, folded, rolled, sewn, allowing to carry flint, tinder, medicinal plants.... In the last century, shepherds still used them as gaiters...

By heating pieces of bark, one obtains the pitch of Birch, a tar allowing the gluing, the sealing. And if the uses of the bark of Birch are still numerous, it is necessary to quote one of them: the paper.

Various uses

In fire, Birch emits a lively heat without smoke, leaving very little ash, properties sought after by bakers and glassmakers. It is called "baker's wood". As fuel, its rolled bark was used to make long-lasting torches.

Birch also has a good reputation as a broom. Its branches attached to an ash handle by wicker or bramble ties were used to make brooms, famous for their sturdiness, but also chopsticks for unruly school children... Hence its name "tree of wisdom".

Its dyeing properties, use of the leaves, allow to obtain a yellow or green tint, according to whether one adds chalk or alum.

In the past, the leaves were dried to be used as fodder during the winter.

Birch wine closes this incomplete list, a sparkling and refreshing beverage obtained by fermenting the sap harvested in spring.

Some stories

A tree with white bark, light, elegant, pioneer, the Birch is a symbol of purity and renewal. It is associated with the light of the moon, feminine Goddess, and plays a protective and purifying role. The birch wood cradles would protect children from evil forces, the wood was inhabited by fairies ...

The Birch would also be a tree of passage between the worlds.

The brugmansia, a tropical tree with abundant trumpets

Brugmansia arborea: a tropical plant

Brugmansia arborea is an unusual plant because it is very sensitive to frost (hardiness: 0°C). It is a tropical tree which, in its country of origin, South America, can reach between 8 and 10 meters high. Contrary to Datura (close relative of Brugmensia) which has erect flowers, its trumpet-shaped flowers are falling and have beautiful colors, pink, yellow or white.

Be careful! Like Datura, Brugmansia is a toxic plant whose leaves should not be eaten.

An abundant bloom

The main attraction of Brugmensia arborea is its flowering. It is a very floriferous plant which blooms all the summer season. Continually, the tips of the stems emit one to two flower buds.

How to prune the trumpet of death?

Brugmansia arborea is a tree that can be left to grow freely if it is grown in the ground. On the other hand, if it is put to winter in an orangery, a veranda or a garage, it is better to prune it to reduce its clutter. The pruning is practiced from October and we cut mainly the extremities. The following year, it will start growing again.

To know: the flower buds appear on the stems of the year. This is why it is possible to prune it short.

Cultivation and maintenance

As Brugmansia arborea is a tree, it is necessary to repot it every year to prevent the plant from lacking food. It is necessary to plant it in a humus substrate and to bring water and fertilizer regularly. If the plant is not fed enough, its first reaction will be to lose its flower buds, the main attraction of the plant.

Ideally, Brugmansia arborea should be planted in a large container and brought in during winter.

Tip: if you have to go on vacation, consider installing a drip system with a timer.

Brugmansia arborea is also a full sun plant. It does not need any shade, because it harms the production of flower buds. It also needs a maximum of heat.

Pests of Brugmansia arborea

Brugmansia arborea has very few pests. You can sometimes notice the appearance of the white fly in summer, when it is very hot. However, the plant being so vigorous, it is not necessary to treat it.

The cedar, an imposing and majestic silhouette

From their distant lands, the Cedars have brought us their imposing and majestic silhouettes, with their unmistakable landscape style. But with them also came an aromatic wood, appreciated by carpenters, a renowned essential oil, and beautiful stories.

A majestic tree

Standing in parks and botanical gardens, the Cedars impose themselves by their high stature, majestically spread out in tiers. They seem to have been there for centuries, even millennia. And yet the first of them, a Cedar of Lebanon, arrived a little less than 3 centuries ago, planted by Bernard de Jussieu in the Paris plant garden in 1734. Since then, they have been planted for their landscaping role, but also for their forestry role, given the quality of their wood.

There are 4 species of Cedars in the world. The Cedar of Lebanon, Cedrus libani, the Cedar of the Atlas, Cedrus atlantica, the Cedar of the Himalayas, Cedrus deodora, and the Cedar of Cyprus, Cedrus brevifolia.

Various origins

The Cedar of Lebanon, native to the country of which it is the emblem, but also to Asia Minor, has been appreciated for its remarkable qualities for thousands of years, and its exploitation since Antiquity has led to the decline of its vast original forests.

Arrived in France a little later, the Atlas Cedar comes from the mountains of North Africa. Planted for its ornamental qualities, tending towards the glaucous, but also for its wood and its rapid growth, it can be found as much in isolated areas as in large exploited forests.

The Himalayan Cedar, a tree from the mountains of Afghanistan, from the north-western Himalayas, requires a particular ecosystem, and is mainly found in botanical gardens, arboretums, parks...

Distant medicinal properties

The ancient names of the trees confuse the issue of their past medicinal uses. The word Cedar did not refer only to Cedrus trees in the past. Many junipers bore this name, including the Oxycedra juniper, which makes it difficult to find precise writings.

Currently, we use the essential oil from the Atlas Cedar, with antifungal, antiseptic, soothing properties... It also seems to be suitable for hair care, treatment of cellulite, could play a role in respiratory tract disorders .... As for all essential oils, precautions of use are necessary, dosages, dilutions, advice of professionals, must be followed.

Aromatic uses

Cedar wood, strongly aromatic, has a repulsive action on insects, in particular moths. Balls and even hangers made of Cedar wood limit the presence of these undesirable insects. This property is worth to him to be used as shoe tree, support in the shape of foot on which is arranged the shoes: in addition to the maintenance of the shape and the drying the wood of Cedar brings a pleasant perfume.

The resin, very caustic, aromatic, was used for the embalming of bodies.

Naval fleets made of cedar wood

Famous for shipbuilding, which has led to its overexploitation in Lebanon, Cedar wood has a pinkish beige color and a fine grain. Durable, it has a good mechanical resistance, but would be brittle and would not like shocks. It is used in carpentry and cabinet making. Its rot-proof character has made it the wood of choice for the manufacture of sarcophagi and crossbeams in mines.

The qualities of Cedar wood are directly related to its habitat. A too fast growth in a favorable environment will make him lose any interest of exploitation.

Some stories...

According to its origins, the Cedar represents greatness, wisdom and duration, but also purity, majesty, nobility, power, sometimes bordering on pride... More than a tree, it would be a divine being capable of predicting the weather. The Bible quotes it many times.

In the epic of Gilgamesh, the guardian of the Cedar forest, Humbaba, dies, and from then on the trees will not cease to be cut down...

The Cedar Wedding celebrates 49 years of marriage.

Cedars have a long history with humans. Ornamental trees, but also with multiple uses, resistant to human pollution, reseeding with vigor, they seem to be able to settle permanently in our landscapes.

The pedunculate oak : botanical sheet

Botanical description of the pedunculate oak, Quercus robur

The pedunculate oak: the typical tree of our forests

The pedunculate oak is a characteristic species of alluvial plains. It is mainly thanks to a bird, the jay, which carries its acorns over several kilometers, that the pedunculate oak gains new open spaces and confirms its reputation of a colonizer.

Portrait of the pedunculate oak

The pedunculate oak can reach 30 to 50 meters in height and can live for several hundred years. It is a heliophilous species, which seeks full light. Its growth is slow in its youngest age then becomes more sustained. The male and female flowers are distinct but are borne by the same individual. They are pollinated by insects during flowering, from April to May.

Enemies of the pedunculate oak

The biggest enemy of the pedunculate oak is powdery mildew, a fungus that develops on the foliage of oaks and gives a whitish appearance to the leaves. Powdery mildew is a disease that weakens young trees.

Another concern comes from a too brutal lighting, which favors the appearance, in the long run, of gourmands: these are small branches which leave, in the wood, marks not very appreciated.

The qualities of pedunculate oak wood

Pedunculate oak wood is of excellent quality, very durable and has many uses. The best quality ones produce veneers or are used for cabinet making, carpentry, cooperage and parquetry.

Oak is also used for many purposes in the construction industry (framework, posts...) as well as in the railway industry for the bottom of wagons or sleepers.

It is also a very good firewood.

Did you know that?

For a very long time, acorns were used to feed pigs.

Growing tips for pedunculate oak

You wish to plant an oak in your garden? Its needs and constraints are the following:

• it can withstand winter cold and late frosts, but remains fragile.
• It appreciates a sunny exposure, in a clear place.
• It grows in fresh, well-drained, rich and deep soil.
• it grows on soils well supplied with water all year long

The ginkgo biloba, the tree of forty crowns

The ginkgo biloba: a model of choice for photographers

The Perrine garden in Laval has a great diversity of tree species, but among them, a remarkable tree attracts all the eyes during one week, in autumn: the ginkgo biloba, whose foliage initially green becomes gold color.

During this period, many amateur photographers from the region come to take pictures of this magnificent specimen. A few years ago, the gardeners had blown the fallen leaves to the ground, to the great dismay of the photographers; because, in addition to the splendor of the tree covered with gold, the carpet which forms, then, on the ground is also of a great beauty.

The ginkgo biloba: the star of the Perrine garden

The ginkgo biloba is not a rare tree, but the one in the Perrine garden is a very beautiful specimen of great size, 25 meters high (there are few ginkgo biloba of this dimension there), and its isolated position in the middle of the lawn puts it particularly in value.

Considering the position of the ginkgo biloba in relation to the layout of the Perrine garden, we can seriously suppose that it was installed there at the time of its creation, which allows us to give it an age of about 100 years.

A week's show in autumn

In the ginkgo biloba, the coloring of the green leaves in yellow starts on the edge of the leaves and ends in the heart. The foliage, on the tree, is then completely yellow during 2 or 3 days (the good moment to take the photos), then in one or two days, all the leaves fall on the ground. The show lasts, in total, about a week.

What maintenance is necessary for this ginkgo biloba?

There is little pruning to do. One cuts essentially the dead wood, as well as the low branches which fall down and which tend to prevent the light from reaching the bed of perennial plants installed at the foot of the tree. This will be the only maintenance performed.

Ginkgo biloba: the indestructible tree

Not only does the ginkgo biloba not fear diseases and pests, but it also knows how to resist man: it is the only tree to have survived the atomic bomb.

Potting the Japanese maple

The rather slow growth of the Japanese maple allows it to be grown in pots without any problem. However, after a few years, it will need to be repotted in good conditions to continue to give its best.

When to repot the Japanese maple?

The best time to repot the Japanese maple is in early spring before budburst, or in the fall after leaf fall.

There are many varieties of Japanese maple, some of which are better suited to pot cultivation than others because they keep a compact habit. This is the case of Acer palmatum 'Corallinum' which has bright pink leaves in spring, turning pale green and then wine red in autumn, of 'Dissectum' and its numerous cultivars which rarely exceed 2 meters in height but have flamboyant foliage, and of 'Ukigumo' marbled with white and pink. These varieties grow slowly and are well suited to pot culture. They can be repotted only every 4 years. The other years a surfacing in spring will be enough, if the pot is big enough.

How to repot the Japanese maple?

Gently remove the root ball from the pot by pulling on the trunk. If the plant does not come out the first time, tap the sides of the pot. If it is made of plastic, do not hesitate to sacrifice the container by cutting it with a cutter if necessary.

If your tree is installed in a beautiful ceramic pot and is difficult to remove, slide the blade of a knife between the root ball and the wall to loosen the roots. Proceed with care.

Once the root ball is out, tap it to remove as much soil as possible.

Immerse the root ball of the maple tree in non-limestone water at room temperature for at least ¼ hour. The tree will hydrate.

Then check the health of the roots and prune those that are dead or damaged with disinfected secateurs.

Choose a larger pot than the previous one, with a hole in the bottom, because this tree does not tolerate stagnant humidity at the roots. For the same reason, leave a layer of clay balls at the bottom of the pot equivalent to 20% of its volume.

Prepare a mixture composed of 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 small pine bark and 1/3 very good potting soil or better still homemade oak leaf compost. The mixture should have an acidic pH. Add a handful of ground horn and dried blood to make it richer.

Plant your tree upright in the pot containing this substrate. The neck of the tree will be located 2 to 3 cm below the top of the pot.

Pack and water thoroughly.

Add more mixture if necessary and mulch with pine needles or bark. This mulching will maintain a good humidity to the substrate while slightly acidifying it.

After repotting the Japanese maple

Place your tree in a location sheltered from strong winds and full sun.

It will do well in semi-shade in a courtyard, a patio or on a terrace sheltered by large walls. In the garden, reserve a place protected by other trees or hedges to protect it from the wind.

Water often, especially in summer. The mixture should never dry out completely between two waterings. Do not let water stand in the saucer.

Scratch a mixture of compost and shredded horn each spring at the base of the tree, then replace the mulch.

The willow, the tree that soothes the fevers of men

Tree of the marshes, of the rivers, the Willow soothes the fevers of the men, provides a soft wood, the invaluable osiers of the basket makers. Its vitality, its short life span, a man's life, its power of multiplication, surround it with legends often forgotten.

The tree of diversity

More than thirty species of willow live in France, the number of their hybrids is... incalculable. They live side by side, interbreed, their characteristics are mixed in an abundant diversity, a real headache for botanists. Some of them draw our attention more than others, for their size, their regular presence, their usefulness, the elegance of their silhouette. The White Willow, Salix alba, the Fragile Willow, Salix fragilis and their hybrid Salix x rubens, mark the banks of rivers, ponds, marshes, with their tall silhouettes. The Marchault Willow, Salix caprea, less greedy for water, can be found in forests, and in parks the Weeping Willow and its hybrids will be of the most beautiful effect.

Medicinal properties

Willows in their great diversity show common medicinal properties, known and used by men for thousands of years. As swamp trees, they were used to treat fevers, thanks to their febrifuge character. The presence of salicylic acid in their bark made them compared to cinchona. Bark also astringent, tonic, antirheumatic, febrifuge, antiseptic, vulnary... The flowers, male and female catkins, each installed on its own tree, are antispasmodic and sedative, as are the leaves, although they are less effective. How not to mention also its tonic effects of the digestive system, anti-diarrhea. The white willow was certainly the most used of all the willows in our regions.

Uses of willows

Leaves, bark, flowers, wood, everything in the Willow is used. Its early catkins offer bees a welcome source of food at the end of winter. The same catkins are so decorative that they are used in the composition of seasonal bouquets. The mature seeds, soft and silky, could be used as cotton when it was missing. The leaves and small branches are used as fodder for horses, goats and sheep.... The bark, known for tanning, will provide the gardener with willow water, cut into pieces, soaked, it will produce a natural cutting hormone. A dyeing tree, the Willow, depending on the recipe, will express itself in red, brown, black. Its wood shows a great diversity of uses.

A soft wood

Not very famous as a fuel, the Willow is nevertheless appreciated by bakers, for its bright flame, at high temperatures. Its charcoal was used to make gunpowder. Its homogeneous, light, soft wood is light, yellowish, sometimes turning pinkish. Although it does not last, it works well and is used in many fields.

Rafters, rods, poles, stakes, packaging, sieves, light clogs, toys, barrel hoops... And even cricket bats made with white willow, so famous that it is called "cricket willow". Its properties also see it used for the manufacture of prostheses.

Wicker

Basketry is supplied by willows, for their long, straight and solid branches. Ties for the garden, for trellising vines, baskets, fish traps, cages... Everything can be made of wicker. Among the most used, we find the white willow or white wicker, cultivated in pollard, whose form 'Vitellina' is appreciated for its yellow, orange branches. The fragile willow, Salix fragilis, which only breaks at the joints, is part of the list, without dethroning the basket maker's willow, Salix viminalis. Don't forget the purple willow, Salix purpurea, or the three-stamens willow, Salix triandra. The braided strips often came from the Marsault Willow.

Some stories

In many countries, the Willow is a symbol of immortality, vitality and protection. Its branches are said to repel unwanted spirits. But it can also represent death, evil powers with witches populating its foliage...

Female deities would inhabit the willows, bringing fertility and abundant harvests to collect in its braided branches.

The melancholic would appreciate its shade.

The tomb of Napoleon I is always represented with a Weeping Willow.

Familiar with parks for its elegance, the Willow deserves to be rediscovered and to find a place at the edge of ponds, in hedges, at the edge of gardens.

The lime tree, a medicinal and useful tree

Men and trees have been telling stories since prehistoric times. The linden tree and its perfumed flowers, its bark for ropes, its wood for infusion, brings some nice pages to it. Medicinal, utilitarian, it was once linked to the protective forces of nature.

A familiar tree

Lime trees are part of our daily lives. Village squares, schoolyards, parks, lines of trees, we come across them everywhere. European species, the large-leaf lime tree, Tilia platyphyllos, and the small-leaf lime tree, Tilia cordata, have hybridized and the intermediate lime tree, Tilia vulgaris or intermedia, is found alongside its cousins. Trees of the revolution, they were planted in village squares in 1792, but already in the 16th century Sully recommended their use. Thus, many lime trees exceed four centuries. It is estimated that the oldest ones are around 1000 years old...

Close to human settlements, ruins too, a lime tree in the forest often announces an old farm, a lost hamlet, this tree has brought a lot to man, by its medicinal properties, its soft wood, its strong links.

Lime tree recipes

At the end of spring, for St. John's Day, the inflorescences of lime bloom. Then begins the harvest of the flowers, if possible without the bracts, for infusions with the sweetest possible scent. The linden tea has a solid reputation, established by its digestive and soothing virtues. Dried in a ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight, the flowers can be kept in bags and can occasionally be used to flavour a salad. Fresh, put to macerate in the sun in water with sugar, lemon, vinegar, they will compose a pleasant sparkling drink, resembling the elderberry lemonade. In mid-summer, the unharvested flowers will give fruits with edible seeds. Roasted, they could be used as a coffee substitute.

The lime leaves were used during the last world war, dried and crushed they supplemented the flours coming to miss, with a contribution in proteins not negligible. Currently, young leaves are harvested to mix them with mixed salads, their acidic taste being more or less appreciated.

Medicinal properties

Used in tea at the end of meals for its digestive properties, for cases of influenza, the linden shows antispamodic, antisclerotic, diuretic and sudorific properties. It would also play a role in the fluidification of blood, in the light nervous disorders. The variability of the active substances would be notable according to the lime trees and their places of culture.

Any use of medicinal plants requires prudence, it is advisable for the lime tree, as for any other plant, to find some wise advice for any medicinal cure. Less known, the sapwood, peripheral wood under the bark, sees its use in progression. Good diuretic, it is a hepato-biliary and urinary drainer, used among others in arthritis, migraine states... The herbalists propose it in the form of chips to be used in decoction.

Uses of lime

The smell of the linden flower attracted perfumers very early on. They extracted farnesol from it, which is also present in orange and acacia essential oils. It allows to underline the odors of floral perfumes.

As for wood, lime is rather soft and light, it is not resistant to bad weather. Its main qualities, homogeneity, stability after drying, make it a wood appreciated by turners and sculptors. Clogs, shoe heels, pencils, piano keys, kitchen utensils, toys, boxes... The range of interior uses is wide.

The bark of lime, called lime, brings unexpected qualities, fibrous and resistant it was used for a long time in the manufacture of links and ropes known for their solidity. Russia and Scandinavia also used it for basketry, mats, fishing nets and sandals. These practices, now forgotten, are remembered when we find dead lime trees with decaying wood but with bark that has disintegrated into fibers that are still tenacious and resistant.

For the artist writer, designer, the lime charcoal will offer an unequalled fineness, also used for the powder, and therapeutic use.

Some stories...

Heart-shaped leaves, sweet smell, soothing virtues, soft shadow, reassuring presence... The lime tree evokes love, fidelity, benevolent welcome, but also dance and joy.

Spirits and sorcerers inhabit this beneficial tree with multiple properties, it is advisable to treat them with respect to work its wood or its bark.

The shade of the lime tree is a beautiful shade to install a bench, to taste an herbal tea, and to tell stories about plants, where ancient and contemporary ethnobotany meet.

The oaks with small development

There are 600 varieties of oaks in the world (130 are cultivated in the nursery).

The originality of this genus is its diversity: there are oaks with willow leaves, oaks with chestnut leaves, ... Some of them have a large development; they will live 500 years, 1000 years and can reach 40 meters high. Others are of small development. With a long life expectancy of 300 to 400 years, the smallest of these oaks will reach 2.50 m and the largest 5-6 m; they are ideal for small gardens.

The Quercus bivoniana, the olive leaf oak. It can reach 8 to 12 meters depending on the soil and climate. It is a very useful oak to make a visual screen (hedge) in case of opposite because, on the one hand, it has an evergreen foliage (its thinness gives it an air of olive leaf) and, on the other hand, it can be led in vines (not only in high-stem), by keeping the branches at the base of the trunk. In this configuration, the plantation is made every 2,50 m between feet, and a pruning is made every year so that the trees are very well furnished.

It is possible to choose its rootstock according to the soil that will receive it: calcareous, wet or dry.

Its acorn is very decorative: larger than that of the common oak, its cup looks like a flower with many petals.

Quercus alba 'Longigemma', an American white oak. It is an oak that can reach a height of 15 to 20 m. In spring its young shoots are reddish pink, and turn green during the summer. In the fall, the foliage takes on beautiful autumn colors, wine lees. The leaves dry but remain in the tree (marcescent tree). It is also a grafted tree that can adapt to many types of land.

Note: not all oaks produce acorns, so grafting is used as a method of reproduction.

Ornamental bark dogwoods

They brighten up the winter with their bright or flamboyant stems. The dogwoods with remarkable bark are very graphic subjects, especially on a white snowy coat.

Very easy to grow and hardy, they will be your charming asset in the garden during the bad season.

Decorative bark dogwoods

Decorative bark dogwoods are very valuable in the garden in winter because they unfurl their red or orange stems throughout the bad season, brightening up the decor and contrasting with the surrounding greyness. They can be used as decorative hedges, borders, beds, or even as an isolated subject.

The white dogwood (Cornus alba) is a shrub native to Siberia, China and Korea that can reach up to 3 m in height and spread. Its upright habit is very graphic especially when the young shoots without leaves turn red/orange in winter. The variety 'Sibirica' is particularly interesting for its foliage that turns purple in autumn and for its bright red stems.

Kesselringii' has almost black, slightly purple shoots.

Those who like variegated foliage will be interested in the varieties 'Elegantissima' with grey/green leaves edged with white or 'Gouchaultii' with leaves edged with yellow and shaded with pink. On these cultivars, the bark remains very ornamental with a beautiful red color.

The female dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) is a shrub native to Europe with an upright and bushy habit.  It does not exceed 3m in height for 2,5m of spread. The typical species has green stems turning red in autumn if the plant is exposed to the sun, otherwise the stems remain green. The variety 'Winter Flame' is very ornamental with its orange-yellow stems, very bright in the garden in winter. This deciduous shrub is particularly beautiful in autumn when its leaves turn a blazing red.

The dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) is a shrub with a wide spread (4m) thanks to its suckering runners. Its dark red shoots are sumptuous in winter. The variety 'Flaviramea' offers the spectacle of its bright green to yellowish stems for a very bright effect in the garden.

Maintenance of decorative bark dogwoods

Decorative bark dogwoods become much brighter in full sun. Always plant them with good exposure. Not very difficult, these dogwoods accept most soils.

The young shoots being much more colorful than the old ones, the species cultivated for the color of their bark should be pruned each year in spring just before bud break. With sharp pruning shears, cut each stem flush with the ground above the second bud from the base. This will ensure that the young shoots are brightly colored in winter.

Japanese maples

The diversity of Japanese maples

The diversity of Japanese maples is reflected in the variety of leaf shapes, more or less cut (such as the Dissectum variety whose finely serrated leaves are very light) and changing colors (green, yellow, orange, red), different forms, upright, globe-shaped, or even drooping, and the variability of sizes: there are varieties of Japanese maple dwarfing that do not exceed 1 to 1.20 meters while others climb to 4, 5 or 6 meters high. But in any case, the Japanese maple remains a small tree.

Some remarkable varieties of Japanese maple

The maple Acer palmatum 'Aureum' is one of the most beautiful Japanese maples. Its foliage can have 4 different colors at the same time (normally pale lemon yellow in early spring, light green in summer and reddish orange in autumn).

Acer palmatum 'Asahi zuru' has a very original variegation pattern: it appears irregularly on the leaves, sometimes white, sometimes green.

Use of the Japanese maple in the garden

Japanese maples are perfect as isolated specimens but can be planted in groups to form a shrubbery, playing on different sizes and shapes: Acer palmatum Dissectum in the shape of a globe, Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' with a bushy habit, Acer palmatum 'Senkaki' with bright red bark in autumn and winter...

We can also vary the colors by integrating varieties with red, yellow or variegated leaves.

Growing conditions of the Japanese maple

Japanese maples are always outdoor plants. Most of them appreciate a half-shaded or even shaded exposure - a maple planted in full sun will not look good - and sheltered from the wind.

They prefer acidic and fresh soils: in calcareous soils, bring them heather soil, then mulch them with, for example, bark which, in addition to preserving the freshness of the soil, contributes to its acidity.

Once planted in good conditions, Japanese maples develop without any worries.

Deciduous magnolias

Precious ornamental shrubs, magnolias are covered with splendid flowers from spring. Deciduous species are often much hardier than evergreens. Install them in your garden, you won't regret it!

Growing deciduous magnolias

Originally from Asia or North America, magnolias grow spontaneously in thickets or forests, not far from waterways. They therefore appreciate half-shade and a soil with an acidic tendency that remains cool in summer, although some species tolerate neutral soil. Very hardy, the majority of the varieties can be planted in all gardens without fear of frost.

Planting

The best time to plant your magnolia is in early fall, when the soil is still warm and the rains are abundant. This will give the root system time to form before the summer heat.

• Choose a location in partial shade and away from prevailing winds.
• Dig a hole that is wider than it is deep because roots tend to spread out on the surface, so the soil should be well loosened at this level.
• Add a good amount of decomposed compost to the soil removed from the hole and sand if it is compact and retains moisture. Magnolias like well-drained soil.
• Pour a bed of compost into the bottom of the hole and add a handful of ground horn powder.
• Remove your magnolia tree, taking care not to injure the roots. If necessary, cut out the container.
• Place the roots flat in the hole.
• Fill in the hole with the prepared mixture, packing the soil well around the trunk. The trunk should remain vertical.
• Make a basin to retain water at the foot of the shrub.
• Water very abundantly.

Maintenance

Remember to water recently planted trees often, even during the bad season if it does not rain. In summer, be careful! The soil should never dry out completely between waterings.

In autumn, spread a good layer of straw at the foot of young plants to protect them.

Remarkable species and varieties

The species with 'goblet' flowers (resembling tulips) are very popular in gardens. The many cultivars of Magnolia x soulangeana range from pure white with 'Alba superba' to very dark purple pink with 'Burgundy'.

Magnolia x liliflora 'Nigra' is a stunning cultivar with dark purple blooms.

Magnolia kobus, tolerates neutral to slightly alkaline soils, the white/cream flowers are sometimes tinged with pink at the base.

On the side of the magnolias with star flowers, we count the numerous varieties of Magnolia stellata of which 'Centennial' pure white, or 'Gold Star' with the amazing yellow. Magnolia x loebneri 'Leonard Messel' blooms in pale lilac starry clouds of the most beautiful effect.

Magnolias, growing tips

Early and late magnolias

The earliest magnolia varieties bloom during March and April, depending on the weather and spring temperatures, and their leaves develop after the flowers have bloomed. In contrast, the later varieties (which are still in bud in the spring) have their flowers blooming at the same time as the leaves. The later magnolias bloom in summer, during July and August.

Large and small magnolias

The smallest varieties of magnolias are between 2m and 2.5m tall, while the largest varieties can reach between 10 and 15m tall.

Unlike small-flowered magnolias, large-flowered magnolias are generally vigorous magnolias.

Growing conditions for magnolias

Magnolias are not difficult. There is no particular condition to respect when it comes to the nature of the soil, except that it is necessary to avoid too humid situations, with stagnant water. The species Magnolia kobus tolerates even limestone soils.

Pruning magnolias

Pruning magnolias is not mandatory, but it is possible to do one to clear and aerate the interior of the crown.

The origins of magnolias

Most magnolias come from China but some come from elsewhere, such as North America. The majority come from cold regions, although there are a few exceptions from warmer climates.

Diseases and pests of magnolias

Magnolias are not susceptible to diseases, nor to pests such as aphids or caterpillars. On the other hand, slugs can be very fond of flowers and leaves.

Propagation and varieties of spring magnolias

New varieties of magnolias are obtained from a selection of seeds. All magnolias have the possibility to hybridize with each other.

The different varieties can be distinguished by the color of their flowers which can go from pure white to very dark red.

• Black Tulip' : one of the darkest magnolias;
• Apollo' : pinkish purple flowers;
• Butterfly' : yellow flowers in April/May;
• Magnolia stellata chrysanthemiflora: small magnolia with light pink flowers with more than 40 petals, looking like chrysanthemums.

The mimosas

The arrival of mimosas in Europe

Mimosas were introduced in Europe, at the end of the 18th century, by the Anglo-Saxon explorer James COOK, who brought them back from Australia.

Mimosas were then naturalized in the south east of France, then in Brittany and in the south of England.

The cultivation area of the mimosa

The mimosa can be grown in the open ground, provided that the temperature does not fall below -10°C. Everywhere else, it can be grown in pots, as long as you have an unheated veranda, a cold greenhouse or a winter garden.

In the Paris region, in the gardens within the city walls, in the center of Paris, it is possible to consider growing a mimosa in the ground, if the exposure is full south and full sun, against a wall, in an urban area sheltered from the north wind. It should be noted that the hardiness of the mimosa is the same as that of the oleander.

Choosing a pot

The repotting of the mimosa is done in stages, from the small pot to the medium one, then to the large one. Under no circumstances should you repot your shrub directly into a large pot. This process is spread over 3 to 5 years.

Water requirements of the mimosa

The mimosa in a pot is very easy to grow, but it does not tolerate a lack of water. The same cannot be said for the mimosa in the ground. The mimosa behaves, then, like all plants that grow in dry soil. They can be found along roadsides, where they grow spontaneously, without watering or pruning.

How to prune the mimosa?

Grown in the ground, the mimosa is pruned only once a year, after flowering. There is no need to hoe, fertilize or treat it.

Grown in a pot, a soft pruning is enough. It consists in removing the faded flowers and keeping a harmonious ball shape.

The diversity of mimosas

The diversity of the mimosa's leaves is worth taking an interest in, on the one hand because it offers different shades of gray, silver, purple or green, and on the other hand, because 10 months out of 12, we only enjoy the foliage.

The flowerings, all spectacular, have multiple tones of yellow, white or orange, and very nuanced perfumes. Depending on the variety, we can have mimosas in bloom almost all year long (in summer, in autumn or in winter).

The forms are also diverse and varied: ground cover, small shrubs or large trees (30 meters high in Australia; 15 meters in Europe). Mimosas can therefore be used as an isolated subject, integrated into a bed or within a hedge, especially since they grow very quickly (they can triple in size every year).

Why graft mimosas ?

• To support all types of soil (clay, limestone...);
• To have a flowering from the first year;
• to avoid having invasive shoots.

They are grafted on mimosas of the four seasons because the latter support limestone, do not suckers, and have a root system not very extensive, which allows their installation against a wall.

Birch, Prunus avium : botanical card

Botanical card dedicated to the wild cherry tree, Prunus avium

The wild cherry tree is found everywhere in France, but it is rare to find it in the Landes and in the Mediterranean region. On the other hand, the departments with the highest population of wild cherry are located in the northeast and north of the country.

Description of the cherry tree

The cherry tree is a tree that can live 120 years or more. Its maximum height is 20 to 25 meters, its foliage is medium dense, deciduous, and takes on a bright red hue in the fall.

The flowers of the cherry tree are both male and female. Their pollination is done by insects, while the seeds are dispersed by animals, especially birds.

Note: the cherry is a species of full light, fast growing.

Yellow birch enemies

Yellow birch is susceptible to a number of enemies, including a microscopic fungus, cylindrosporium, which causes premature leaf drop in early summer following a cool, rainy spring.

Another enemy of the cherry tree: the black aphid. It dries out the young shoots and shrivels the leaves.

The deer, fond of its shoots, is responsible for wounds on the trunk and branches, due to its repeated rubbing.

A disease can also be observed: the 'green vein'. It is an anomaly linked to the internal tensions of the wood. It is characterized by a particular coloration which gives its name to this defect.

The qualities of cherry wood

Cherry is a fine-grained wood of medium hardness, whose color varies naturally from light honey to reddish brown.

It can be worked well at all levels of processing: sawing, slicing, planing.

Nevertheless, its wood is not very durable and sensitive to insects and fungi, which confines it to inferior uses.

Cherry is mainly sought after for furniture manufacturing: industrial veneer or solid furniture.

It is also a good firewood.

Advice on growing birch

Yellow birch is a species that does not fear the cold in plains and hills. However, it is sensitive to spring frosts which destroy its flowers.

It appreciates full light and develops well on deep, aerated soils, regularly supplied with water, but not excessively.

Field elm and diffuse elm : botanical card

Botanical sheet of the field elm and the diffuse elm

The field elm (Ulmus minor), quite common, and the diffuse elm (Ulmus laevis), not very widespread, are also called elm. They are among the typical species of alluvial valleys and, more locally, of hedgerows and the coastal edge.

Description of the elm

The elm is a 20 to 25 meters high tree, with a fan-shaped top and powerful ascending branches. Its longevity is exceptional, about 3 centuries.

The oval leaves are small and asymmetrical at the base. They are arranged on the same plane, on the branches, forming a dense cover of green color, then golden yellow in the fall.

The flowers of the elm are hermaphroditic, of dark pink color and appear early, before the foliage. They are agglomerated in bunches, at the end of the branches. Once hatched, they quickly evolve into clusters of winged seeds.

The great enemy of the elm

Graphiosis (Dutch elm disease): this is a lower pathogenic fungus carried by small insects, the elm bark beetle, which lay eggs under the bark. Once established, the fungus clogs the sap-carrying vessels and the infested tree dies by wilting.

This disease, which has been rampant since 1976, poses a real threat to the survival of the species. It particularly affects the tallest trees.

The qualities of elm wood

Elm is an excellent wood, hard, heavy, dense and durable, with a reddish brown heartwood.

It has a wide range of uses because of its aesthetic aspect, very figured (it is sought after for furniture, stairs, frames and floors) and its strength appreciated in carpentry and for the construction of piles.

Planting advice

If you wish to have an elm in your garden as an ornamental tree, plant it in the fall to encourage its rooting before winter. Mulching is recommended to preserve soil moisture in summer and protect the roots from the cold in winter.

Also, give it a full sun exposure.

Note: there are horticultural varieties, very elegant and limited in development.

Planting a tree in the garden

Planting a tree reintroduces us to the rhythm of nature: that of the seasons with the blossoming, the fall colors, the fall of its leaves; that of the years because it takes its time to establish itself, its roots growing underground almost as much as its branches in the air: that's how much energy it needs!

Not all trees grow at the same speed. But be aware that the slowest-growing ones usually last the longest. Trees give you a bonus for patience!

Many tree species have more to offer than just shade. Some bloom spectacularly, such as cherry blossoms, evergreen magnolias, the silk tree. The flowers are even more spectacular when they appear before the leaves, as in the case of the paulownia, the purple plum tree or the Judas tree. Others bloom very early for the willows and their catkins, the Byzantine hazelnut tree or the Persian parrotia. They produce fruit in the fall like the clerodendrons with their small light blue pears with purple collars or the honey locust with its contorted mahogany pods. Some of these fruits remain on the branches well into the winter, such as the tiny apples of the ornamental apple trees or the orange or yellow berries of the mountain ash. On the other hand, some fruits are not desired, such as the horse chestnuts that must be picked up when they fall to the ground. The red chestnut tree has the advantage of producing very few fruits, and that's not bad!

But it's in the autumn finery that the trees put the package to surprise us: the yellow, the red, the shades of fire ... Nothing is too intense to make the beautiful before the fall of leaves. The list of the most beautiful fall colors is hard to determine. However, liquidambar, ginkgo, maple and American red oak are among the most spectacular!

Some species or varieties, smaller than others, allow you to enjoy this country shade regardless of the size of your garden. Some, such as the Judas tree, the Bohemian olive tree or the soap tree, hardly exceed 5 to 6 m in height and 3 to 4 m in width.

Our tip for choosing your tree

Prefer deciduous trees whose shade disappears when the leaves fall, in autumn, when they are no longer needed... Especially near the house, do not darken the interior in winter.

Wild pear tree, Pyrus pyraster : botanical card

Botanical sheet about wild pear tree, Pyrus pyraster

Location of the wild pear tree

The wild pear tree is a fruit tree present throughout France, but it is rare to find it in the north and in the Mediterranean region.

Attention: it can be confused with the heart-leaved pear tree, Pyrus cordata, a shrub from 3 to 8 meters high, whose frugality allows it to colonize the most ungrateful environments.

Description of the wild pear tree

The Pyrus pyraster is a tree with slow and limited growth. Indeed its cyme, in the shape of pyramid, rarely exceeds a height of 11 to 15 meters.

It is known for its exceptional longevity, commonly exceeding 300 years.

The foliage of the wild pear tree is rather dense. Its branches carry numerous small oval and elongated leaves and its white and very early (April) flowers are hermaphroditic. The small, almost round pears they produce are acrid and astringent.

Note: the wild pear tree is the origin of most of the fruit varieties of pears currently cultivated. It is still used as a rootstock by nurserymen.

The diseases of the wild pear tree

Be careful, the wild pear tree is sensitive to various diseases:

• rots which settle in the wounds which can be caused to its foot;
• to fire blight ;
• torso fiber (uniform inclination of the vessels and fibers of the wood in relation to the axis of the tree), a genetic defect resulting in a "screwed" wood, unsuitable for sawing and thus for noble uses (carpentry, joinery, slicing...).

The uses of wild pear wood

The wild pear tree has a homogeneous wood, very hard, of a generally reddish brown color. Its grain, of a great fineness and an exceptional polish, directs its use towards quality products such as violin making, slicing for top-of-the-range veneers, marquetry, turning, sculpture or engraving.

In rural crafts, many objects from the past still testify to its use due to its remarkable resistance: pulleys, stretchers, levers, grooved wheels, pulleys...

Do you want to plant a wild pear tree?

The wild pear tree appreciates acid to neutral, compact, light and drained soils. It is a heliophilic species; it therefore needs a sunny or, failing that, a semi-shady exposure.

Frequently asked questions about the Japanese maple

Admired by all for their elegant habit and their flamboyant colors, Japanese maples require very specific growing conditions. From substrate to watering, from the best planting period to the ideal exposure, you will know everything about these fascinating trees!

How to properly water a Japanese maple?

An Acer should be watered very often but moderately. The humidity level of the air determines the frequency of watering. If it is planted in the undergrowth or under the cover of large trees among dense vegetation, it will better withstand heat episodes thanks to the evapo-transpiration of other plants. The watering will be less sustained in this case, but it is important to keep in mind that this tree feeds itself first of all by its superficial roots. The soil must be kept fresh at this level by regular watering and mulching.

Be careful not to over-water as soggy soil can cause root disease.

How to water a newly planted Japanese maple?

A very abundant watering is done at planting to eliminate any air pockets around the roots. If it rains and the soil is wet on the surface, avoid watering for 15 days because the new roots form better if the soil is not soaked. After that, one watering per week is sufficient until May, when temperatures rise and growth really starts. The frequency of watering increases to every 5 days.

In winter, let nature take its course, except in regions where it does not rain. Watering once a week or even every 10 days will be sufficient.

How to prune a Japanese maple?

It all depends on the species and variety! Some maples do not need pruning, such as true dwarf varieties like 'Hupps Dwarf' or ground cover varieties. The green and red Acer dissectum cultivars have a drooping habit, which widens and then forms real waterfalls; their juvenile branches cover the older ones. For all these varieties, a simple pruning at the end of winter will be necessary to remove the dead wood.

For the other species and varieties of Japanese maples, pruning must be done in a very clean way on branches of 3 to 5 cm in diameter maximum so that the wounds can close as soon as possible.

close as quickly as possible.

On a typical young Acer palmatum, training pruning consists in increasing the number of low branches. Growth will be slowed down but the roots will develop better. In late February, prune to 3 or 4 pairs of buds. The last pair should face the outside of the tree. In subsequent years, prune the previous year's growth to 3 buds still facing outward.

For other species and cultivars, it is necessary to observe the size of the buds and their distribution on the branches. If these buds are smaller and smaller as they rise, the training pruning can be short. On the contrary, if the terminal bud is the biggest, it will be necessary to avoid short pruning.

Once the tree is formed, a transparent pruning is sufficient; it consists in thinning out all the branches to favor the penetration of light and wind while taking care to preserve a beautiful silhouette of the tree and to respect its port.

Growing conditions of the Japanese maple

To properly grow a Japanese maple, it is necessary to get as close as possible to the growing conditions of its natural environment. These maples grow in the undergrowth bathed by a humid climate in summer and less frequent rains in winter.

In these regions, the porous volcanic soil with a neutral or acidic tendency suits them perfectly. The cover of the undergrowth provides them with a subdued light, they are never exposed for long hours to the burning sun but benefit from a few rays of light at the right time of the day. An exposure sheltered from the wind, to the North-West or North-East to receive only a few sunrays in the morning or evening seems ideal.

The Japanese maple fears above all the heat wave and the drought, a balanced watering and frequent misting in case of very dry air will always be beneficial. However, the soil must not retain excess water or be impermeable, compact and asphyxiating. A well drained, fertile, fresh soil with a neutral to acid pH is necessary for its culture.

Is it necessary to prune the shoots on grafted Japanese maples?

If a branch comes out under the grafting point on a Japanese maple, it is necessary to remove it flush with the trunk because the rootstock could then become stronger than the graft and you would lose the characteristics of the tree you have chosen.

Can I water a Japanese maple with tap water?

If the pH of your water is neutral or acid, tap water can be used. If the water is hard, you should store rainwater in water harvesters or tanks to water your maples. If you have a shortage of rainwater, it is possible to compensate by using "pH -" (available in swimming pool stores and sometimes even in supermarkets). These tablets are added to tap water to lower its pH if it is basic.

Can I grow a Japanese maple in a pot?

It is possible to grow the Japanese maple in a pot, for example, if the soil at home is chalky or if you want to decorate your terrace. A plastic pot is preferable because the roots of the maple tend to stick to the walls of clay pots. Knowing that frequent repotting is necessary, it will be easier.

• Choose a pot with a diameter 10 cm larger than the original one.
• Place a layer of pozzolan or clay balls at the bottom of the pot to ensure drainage. Plant your maple tree in a rich mixture of one part good potting soil, one part heather soil and one part compost.
• Water once or twice a week without leaving any water in the saucer.
• Scratch a mixture of ground horn and dried blood at the foot in March, taking care not to hurt the superficial roots.
• In winter protect the pot from rain and wind.

Can you make maple syrup with a Japanese maple?

No. The most used species are large maple trees such as Acer saccharum and Acer nigrum which must be more than 30 years old and whose trunk must exceed 30 cm in diameter so that the collection of the sap does not generate too many risks for the health of the tree.

Harvesting takes place from mid-February to mid-March when night temperatures are negative and day temperatures are below 5°C. Do not expect to harvest maple syrup in the Mediterranean area!

Why do the leaves of my Japanese maple seem 'toasted'?

At the beginning of cultivation, it is not rare that this phenomenon appears for various reasons. The main one is an insufficient root system to ensure the cooling of the leaves. With the years, the maple will be less sensitive to climatic variations. Another cause: an exposure to too much sun or too much wind.

If, in addition to frying, the leaves fall, it is necessary to reduce watering without suspending it.

Why doesn't my maple tree develop new leaves in spring?

This is the obvious symptom of a cultivation problem and a problem with the roots. A substrate that is too heavy, retaining excess water, can be responsible for root asphyxia. It will then be necessary to review its planting in a much more draining environment if the plant can still be saved.

It is also possible that your maple tree does not have enough roots to feed all the branches and ensure the formation of buds. Adding mycorrhizae to the soil can help, as can adding compost. Reducing the aerial surface by light pruning will be welcome.

Also watch out for root aphids which can easily weaken a young tree!

What is a Japanese maple?

"Japanese maple" is a generic term for several species of small trees that are very popular in Japanese gardens and landscape art. Among these species: Acer palmatum and Acer japonicum are the most common, they are divided into many cultivars according to the characteristics of their foliage, their size and their port.

When and how to repot a Japanese maple?

About every two years, repot by gradually increasing the volume of the pot, at the end of February/beginning of March, when the buds start to swell.

A pot with a diameter of 10 cm or more will be sufficient. A mixture composed of 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 compost and 1/3 heather soil will be perfect. Don't forget the drainage with pozzolan!

When to harvest the seeds of Japanese maple?

The seeds or 'samaras' are harvested at maturity around October.

When to sow the seeds of Japanese maple?

Seeds can be sown as soon as they are mature after soaking for 24 hours in warm water. Place them in boxes or in small individual pots filled with potting soil and sand; in a sheltered corner of the garden, stratification will occur naturally.

In regions with very mild winters, a two-month stay in the refrigerator may be necessary before sowing to lift the dormancy.

What to do during a heat wave for potted maples?

Water at least two to three times a week in the early morning or evening after sunset and mist every evening long enough for the foliage to benefit.

Mulch the plant to keep the shallow root hairs cool.

What is the name of the maple fruit?

The fruit of the maple tree is a samara. The seed is attached to a supporting surface that looks like a membranous wing. With the action of the wind, the seed is thus moved to a good distance.  This membrane also has the property of floating, so it can be carried away by heavy rains.

Small-leafed lime tree, Tilia cordata : botanical card

Small-leafed lime: a species that is not very widespread

The small-leaf lime tree is not very widespread in Brittany. It would seem, however, that it was much more present during the Neolithic period.  However, it has only been maintained naturally on good soils, which are mainly located in the Rennes basin and the south-east of the Ile et Vilaine. Rare, it is thus necessary to work for its preservation.

Description of the small-leaf lime tree

The small-leaf linden is characterized by an exceptional longevity, up to five centuries.

It climbs very high (about 20 meters). The oldest lime trees exceptionally reach 30 meters.

The leaf is heart-shaped. The underside has reddish-blond hairs at the intersections of the veins.

The buds have two visible scales, green or reddish.

The hermaphrodite flowers appear late (July). Odorous, they are grouped in bouquets.

The fruits, globular winged seeds with protruding ribs, are grouped by 3 or 5.

Note: the linden appreciates a semi-shaded exposure to grow. Its growth is moderate but continuous.

Diseases and pests of the small-leaf basswood

The lime tree's enemies are mainly aphids and mealy bugs, attracted by the sap, but we can also meet :

• mites, which cause galls on the foliage ;
• caterpillars of the bucephale responsible for some defoliations, without great consequence;
• lower fungi, not very damaging.

The qualities of the wood of small-leafed lime

The wood of small-leaf lime is clear, yellowish, soft and homogeneous: it is easy to work.

It is not recommended for outdoor use. It is therefore mainly used for the manufacture of toys, brush handles, mouldings, pencils, matches or spools. It is also very popular in the field of violin making and carving.

It provides an excellent charcoal and its fibrous bark was once used to make ropes, bags and sandals.

Its melliferous and fragrant flowers are used in perfumery and in herbal tea for their anti-spasmodic and diuretic properties.

Planting advice for the small-leaf linden

The small-leaf linden can withstand very cold weather, but it can't stand dry air and high temperatures.

It likes fresh or even humid, deep, well-drained soils, preferably neutral to calcareous.

10 shrubs to cut this summer

Summer is the ideal time to take cuttings from certain shrubs that will take advantage of the mild temperatures to put down roots very quickly.

1- The hydrangea 

(Hydrangea) is a very floriferous shrub that appreciates half-shaded exposures and acidic soils. The classic hydrangea (H. macrophylla) produces large white, pink or blue inflorescences from June to September, depending on the type of soil and the variety. The climbing hydrangea (H. petiolaris) wonderfully dresses up north-facing walls with its vaporous cream-colored flowers in June. The semi-hipped stem cuttings are very easy to take.

2- The rose 

(Rosa) comes in many species and varieties. You just have to take a 15 cm long branch still green or half-bearded with eyes, to remove the basal leaves and the possible flowers then to plant the cutting in a pot containing a light mixture.

3- Buddleia 

is a shrub famous for its colorful spike-like inflorescences that attract butterflies and other pollinating insects. Very easy to make a success of, the cutting can be done on a still green, semi-hardened, simple or heeled branch.

4- The oleander 

is one of the stars of the gardens of the South of France, which it magnifies with its delicately fragrant flowers from May to October. Ideal for forming beautiful flowering hedges, it can also be grown in large pots in colder regions. A simple 15 cm stem tip placed in a glass of water will soon put down roots.

5- Fuchsia 

comes in a multitude of species and cultivars with very attractive and colorful blooms. Hardy, bushy fuchsias, or varieties ideal for hanging baskets because of their drooping habit: there is something for everyone! A simple 10 cm semi-sprouted branch will soon give you a plant identical to the mother plant.

6- The snowberry 

is a charming shrub that produces small flowers in summer and very decorative white, pink or red berries in autumn. Birds love it, which makes it a perfect subject for an open hedge. Cuttings can be taken from semi-hardened branches in August.

7- St. John's Wort 

forms a spreading bush with pretty yellow flowers throughout the summer. It is maintenance free and can be grown in most soils, making it the ideal shrub for beginners. Take Augusted branches at the end of summer to cut it.

8- The flowering currant 

(Ribes sanguineum) is a shrub with very generous white, pink or red flowers, emitting a sweet smell of blackcurrant. It produces bluish berries in autumn, very appreciated by birds. The cuttings of half-hardened branches take root very quickly in summer.

9- The skimmia 

embalms the spring with its orange blossom fragrance produced by its white starry flowers. In winter the plant is very appreciated for its bright red berries. This shrub is ideal in a free hedge in an acidic soil. The semi-hardened branches are very easy to cut in summer.

10- Rosemary 

is an aromatic and medicinal plant that needs no introduction. Forming bushes covered with bluish flowers, sometimes upright and sometimes creeping, depending on the variety, it can be cut from semi-arched stems as early as July.

10 shrubs with decorative fruits

Shrubs are appreciated for the beauty of their foliage or the abundance of their flowers, but we sometimes forget that some have very ornamental fruits. Let's take a look at these shrubs with decorative fruits...

1. The snowberry 

The snowberry is a very vigorous, hardy and robust shrub that accepts most soils and even appreciates limestone. In full sun or half-shade, the snowberry is precious for its round pearly white or pink pearl-like berries that will adorn the garden throughout the bad season.

2. Japanese dogwood 

Japanese dogwood (Cornus Kousa) has a graphic flared habit and blooms spectacularly beginning in June. From fall to winter, pink lychee-shaped fruits adorn this exceptional shrub. Plant it in partial shade or full sun in humus-rich neutral or acidic soil.

3. The blue bean tree

 The blue bean tree, Decaisnea fargesii is a deciduous shrub that can reach 6 m in all directions. Clusters of greenish flowers are followed by slate-colored bean-like fruits from September to December. Hardy and easy to grow, it adapts to all types of soil and grows well in partial shade.

4. The clergy tree 

The clergy tree (Clerodendrum trichotomum) is a shrub not often planted in gardens, yet it has many qualities. Its white, starry and fragrant flowers appear at the end of summer and are followed by very decorative, dark blue berries, surrounded by an open fuchsia pink capsule that serves as a case for them. Rustic, it appreciates a rich and drained soil remaining fresh and a sunny exposure.

5. The Pheasant Tree

The Pheasant Tree (Leycesteria formosa) blooms from June to September in very ornamental red drooping clusters. The purplish red fruits, very appreciated by the birds, will follow them during the bad season. Very hardy (-20°C), it doesn't suffer from any parasite or disease attack and grows as well in half-shade as in full sun in all types of soils remaining cool.

6. The elder 

The elder is a shrub that grows by itself and without maintenance in most soils and under all exposures. Very hardy and vigorous, it produces umbels of white flowers in summer, followed by round, black berries that birds love.

7. The shrubby fusain 

The shrubby fusain (Euonymus phellomanus) spreads over 4 m in all directions and is suitable for most gardens, except in the South of the country because it does not tolerate heat and drought. This bushy shrub blooms in September and then covers itself with amazing red fruits topped with pink arils. It appreciates cool and rich soils and a half-shady exposure.

8. The candy shrub 

The candy shrub (Calicarpa bodinieri) is a small bushy shrub which appreciates half-shade and cool grounds. Very ornamental, it is covered with lilac-pink flowers from June to October and then with round berries of a beautiful purple.

9. The mahonia

The mahonia is precious for its winter flowering in golden clusters, followed by bluish pruney fruits very appreciated by birds. Hardy and easy to grow, this beautiful shrub has evergreen foliage. It is content with most soils and exposures.

10. The arbutus 

The arbutus appreciates all types of well-drained soils and full sun. In these conditions, this shrub with an erect habit and decorative bark can reach 4 m in height. The orange, spherical and warty fruits adorn the garden during the bad season, they are edible.