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How to Pick the Right Spot for a New Tree

How to Pick the Right Spot for a New Tree

Sunlight, soil and space decide whether your tree thrives or struggles. A practical guide to selecting the best position for new plantings.
Garden PlanningPlanting GuideTree Selection

Choosing the right tree is half the work. The other half is picking the right spot for it. Sunlight, soil and space are the three things that decide how a tree performs.

Sunlight

  • Full sun. Six hours or more of direct light a day. Pyrus, Olives, Magnolia grandiflora and most native trees want this.
  • Part shade. Filtered light or morning sun with afternoon shade. Magnolia x soulangeana, Camellia and Japanese Maple sit here.
  • Full shade. Few trees thrive in deep shade. Choose dogwoods or shade-tolerant ferns instead.

Spend a day tracking shadows across your garden before you commit.

Soil

Texture. Sandy soil drains fast and lacks nutrients. Clay holds water but compacts. Loam is the goal. Improve whatever you have with compost.

pH. Most trees want 6.0-7.0. Test before planting. Camellias and Azaleas prefer below 6.0. Eucalypts handle a wider range.

Drainage. Dig a 30cm hole and fill it with water. If it takes more than 24 hours to drain, build up a mound or pick a different spot.

Space

Allow for mature size, not nursery size. Look at:

  • Root spread. Roots extend well beyond the foliage line. Keep away from pipes, paving and pools.
  • Foliage spread. A 4m wide tree needs 4m of clear space.
  • Future growth. A 6m sapling becomes a 15m tree in ten years.

Site selection by tree

Magnolia x soulangeana

  • Sun: morning sun, afternoon shade
  • Soil: moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
  • Space: 4m clearance

Tree planted in part shade

Acer palmatum

  • Sun: part shade with afternoon protection
  • Soil: moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
  • Space: 3-5m clearance

Japanese Maple in dappled light

Olea europaea

  • Sun: full sun, hot site
  • Soil: sharp drainage, lean and mineral
  • Space: 4-6m clearance

Olive in a Mediterranean position

Waterhousea floribunda

  • Sun: full sun to part shade
  • Soil: deep, moist, well-drained
  • Space: 2m from boundaries minimum

Planting tips

  • Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, same depth.
  • Top of root ball level with surrounding soil, never deeper.
  • Water deeply after planting.
  • Mulch 50-100mm deep, clear of the trunk.
  • Stake only if the site is exposed. Remove after 12 months.

FAQs

How much sun do Acer and Magnolia need?
Both prefer part shade. Acer wants dappled light, Magnolia wants morning sun with afternoon protection.

What soil suits Olives?
Free-draining, lean, mineral soil. Avoid rich planting mixes.

How much space between trees?
Allow at least the combined width of two mature canopies. So two 5m wide trees need 5m apart.

Get the site right and the tree does the rest.

Compare at a glance

CultivarHeightWidthFormFoliageBest if you…
Magnolia x soulangeana
Saucer Magnolia 		4-6m3-5mRounded, open habitMid green oval leavesFeature tree, sheltered courtyards
Acer palmatum
Japanese Maple 		4-6m3-5mOpen, layered habitPalmate leaves, brilliant autumn colourFeature tree, courtyards, shaded gardens
Olea europaea
Olive 		4-8m3-6mOpen, characterful crownSilver-grey evergreen lance-shaped leavesDriveways, Mediterranean gardens, hot dry sites
Waterhousea floribunda
Weeping Lilly Pilly 		6-10m (can be pruned to desired height)3-5mWeeping, denseGlossy dark green weeping foliage with pink new growthHedging, screening, privacy planting
Magnolia x soulangeana

1. Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia)

Choose a sheltered position with morning sun and afternoon shade. Saucer Magnolia hates hot wind and dry soil.

Type
Deciduous flowering tree
Height
4-6m
Width
3-5m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Mid green oval leaves
Flowers
Large pink and white blooms in early spring
Form
Rounded, open habit
Conditions
Morning sun, afternoon shade preferred. Sheltered from wind. Moist, free-draining soil.
Maintenance
Low. Mulch annually.
Best for
Feature tree, sheltered courtyards

Why choose it

Location decides the success of Saucer Magnolia. Get the sun and shelter right and the tree thrives.

Perfect pair

Pair with a Camellia sasanqua hedge as the evergreen base.

Tips for planting

Allow 4m clearance for the spreading habit.

Site selection is half the battle with Magnolia.

Shop Magnolia x soulangeana
Acer palmatum

2. Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)

Japanese Maple needs part shade and shelter. Direct afternoon sun burns the fine foliage.

Type
Deciduous ornamental tree
Height
4-6m
Width
3-5m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Palmate leaves, brilliant autumn colour
Form
Open, layered habit
Conditions
Part shade. Shelter from hot wind. Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
Maintenance
Low. Light prune in winter only if needed.
Best for
Feature tree, courtyards, shaded gardens

Why choose it

Plant in dappled shade under taller trees. Avoid hot western sun and exposed sites.

Perfect pair

Pair with a Camellia sasanqua hedge for shade and contrast.

Tips for planting

If your only spot gets afternoon sun, choose a green-leafed variety. Red varieties prefer a sheltered, filtered-light position.

Match the site to the species and the tree thrives.

Shop Acer palmatum
Olea europaea

3. Olea europaea (Olive)

Olives want a hot, dry, well-drained spot. Plant them where most things would struggle and they'll thrive.

Type
Evergreen fruiting tree
Height
4-8m
Width
3-6m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Silver-grey evergreen lance-shaped leaves
Flowers
Cream blooms, fruit follows
Form
Open, characterful crown
Conditions
Full sun. Sharp drainage essential. 30°C and above no problem.
Maintenance
Very low.
Best for
Driveways, Mediterranean gardens, hot dry sites

Why choose it

Site Olives in the spot that bakes other plants. They want the heat and the dryness.

Perfect pair

Pair with a Laurus nobilis Bay hedge for the same Mediterranean character.

Tips for planting

Skip rich planting mixes. Lean, gritty soil is what Olives want.

Give an Olive a tough site and it'll outlast you.

Shop Olea europaea
Waterhousea floribunda

4. Waterhousea floribunda (Weeping Lilly Pilly)

Choose a site with deep soil and room for the spreading root mat. Waterhousea grows fast and wants moisture.

Type
Evergreen native screening tree
Height
6-10m (can be pruned to desired height)
Width
3-5m
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Glossy dark green weeping foliage with pink new growth
Flowers
Small cream flowers in summer
Form
Weeping, dense
Conditions
Full sun to part shade. Moist, deep, well-drained soil.
Maintenance
Trim 2-3 times a year for hedge form.
Best for
Hedging, screening, privacy planting

Why choose it

Keep clear of pipes, paths and pools. The root system is vigorous.

Perfect pair

Plant a Magnolia x soulangeana as the feature tree in front of this hedge.

Tips for planting

Allow at least 2m clearance from boundaries.

Right site and Waterhousea is the most reliable hedge in the catalogue.

Shop Waterhousea floribunda

Frequently asked questions

How much sun do Acer and Magnolia need?
Both prefer part shade.
What soil suits Olives?
Free-draining, lean, mineral soil.
How much space between trees?
Allow at least the combined width of two mature canopies.

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