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.
