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Benefits of Planting Deciduous Trees

Benefits of Planting Deciduous Trees

Five deciduous trees that work as garden infrastructure. Summer shade, winter sun, seasonal colour and easy maintenance.
crepe myrtledeciduous treesginkgojapanese mapleliquidambarsnow pear

Deciduous trees are smart garden infrastructure. Summer canopy keeps the house cool. Bare winter branches let low sun through to warm north walls. Autumn colour is the bonus.

Here are five deciduous trees we recommend at Evergreen Trees Direct.

Why deciduous works

Seasonal shade where you want it. Winter sun where you need it. Lower air-conditioning bills. The annual colour cycle is the visible payoff.

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Trident Maple

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Fagus sylvatica

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Ginkgo

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Planting tips

Plant on north or west sides of the house to control summer heat. Mulch heavily. Water through year one then taper off. Light winter prune to keep shape.

FAQs

Maintenance? Low. Light annual prune and mulching only.

Privacy? Limited to summer when leafy.

Growth rate? Ginkgo slow, Liquidambar moderate, Crepe Myrtle moderate.

Acer palmatum

1. Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)

Classic deciduous feature tree. Summer shade, winter sun, brilliant autumn colour.

Type
Deciduous tree
Height
4-6m
Width
3-4m
Growth rate
Slow to moderate
Foliage
Palmate, brilliant autumn colour
Form
Layered, open
Conditions
Part shade, well-drained soil
Maintenance
Low.
Best for
Courtyards, feature trees, seasonal interest

Why choose it

Open winter form lets sun warm the garden when you want it most. Summer canopy filters light and cools the courtyard.

Perfect pair

Pair Acer palmatum with a Magnolia Little Gem hedge for layered structure.

Tips for planting

Shelter from drying winds. Mulch heavily. Water consistently through summer.

The classic seasonal feature.

Shop Acer palmatum
Pyrus nivalis

2. Pyrus nivalis (Snow Pear)

Deciduous feature with silver foliage, spring blossom and a long autumn colour run.

Type
Deciduous tree
Height
7-10m
Width
5-7m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Silver-grey downy leaves
Flowers
Pure white spring blossoms
Form
Pyramidal
Conditions
Full sun, well-drained soil, frost tolerant
Maintenance
Low.
Best for
Winter sun gardens, silver feature trees

Why choose it

Bare winter branches let low sun warm north-facing walls. Silver summer foliage reflects heat for cooling shade.

Perfect pair

Pair Snow Pear with a Murraya hedge for fragrant contrast.

Tips for planting

Full sun. Water through summer. Winter prune for shape.

Silver elegance across the seasons.

Shop Pyrus nivalis
Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez'

3. Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez' (Natchez Crepe Myrtle)

Deciduous feature with white summer panicles, autumn colour and winter bark interest.

Type
Deciduous tree
Height
5-8m
Width
3-5m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Dark green turning red-orange in autumn
Flowers
Long white panicles through summer
Form
Multi-trunked vase shape
Conditions
Full sun, well-drained soil, heat tolerant
Maintenance
Low.
Best for
Avenue planting, feature trees, multi-season interest

Why choose it

Cinnamon bark gives winter interest when deciduous gardens can look bare. Summer shade and autumn colour in one tree.

Perfect pair

Pair Natchez with a Magnolia Little Gem hedge for structure.

Tips for planting

Full sun. Water through summer. Skip nitrogen.

Four-season feature tree.

Shop Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez'
Ginkgo biloba

4. Ginkgo biloba (Maidenhair Tree)

Ancient deciduous tree with fan-shaped leaves that turn pure gold in autumn.

Type
Deciduous tree
Height
12-15m
Width
6-8m
Growth rate
Slow to moderate
Foliage
Fan-shaped, brilliant yellow in autumn
Form
Pyramidal when young, spreading with age
Conditions
Full sun, well-drained soil, urban tolerant
Maintenance
Low.
Best for
Specimen trees, autumn colour, urban tolerance

Why choose it

Living fossil. Tough as nails. The cleanest gold autumn colour of any deciduous tree.

Perfect pair

Pair Ginkgo with a Magnolia Little Gem hedge for evergreen backbone.

Tips for planting

Choose male trees only. Plant in autumn. Water through year one.

Gold autumn drama with prehistoric pedigree.

Shop Ginkgo biloba
Liquidambar styraciflua

5. Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet Gum)

Large deciduous shade tree with the longest autumn colour run of any tree we sell.

Type
Deciduous tree
Height
15-25m
Width
10-15m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Star-shaped, brilliant autumn colour
Form
Pyramidal when young, spreading with age
Conditions
Full sun, well-drained soil
Maintenance
Low.
Best for
Large lawns, summer shade, autumn colour

Why choose it

Bare winter form lets sun reach the ground. Dense summer canopy keeps the garden cool. Autumn colour stretches over 6 weeks.

Perfect pair

Pair Liquidambar with a Murraya hedge for structure.

Tips for planting

Allow 12m for spread. Water through year one. Light winter prune.

Long autumn fire, plus summer cool.

Shop Liquidambar styraciflua

Compare at a glance

CultivarHeightWidthFormFoliageBest if you…
Acer palmatum
Japanese Maple 		4-6m3-4mLayered, openPalmate, brilliant autumn colourCourtyards, feature trees, seasonal interest
Pyrus nivalis
Snow Pear 		7-10m5-7mPyramidalSilver-grey downy leavesWinter sun gardens, silver feature trees
Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez'
Natchez Crepe Myrtle 		5-8m3-5mMulti-trunked vase shapeDark green turning red-orange in autumnAvenue planting, feature trees, multi-season interest
Ginkgo biloba
Maidenhair Tree 		12-15m6-8mPyramidal when young, spreading with ageFan-shaped, brilliant yellow in autumnSpecimen trees, autumn colour, urban tolerance
Liquidambar styraciflua
Sweet Gum 		15-25m10-15mPyramidal when young, spreading with ageStar-shaped, brilliant autumn colourLarge lawns, summer shade, autumn colour

Frequently asked questions

Maintenance?
Low. Light annual prune and mulching only.
Privacy?
Limited to summer when leafy.
Growth rate?
Ginkgo slow, Liquidambar moderate, Crepe Myrtle moderate.

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