Trees We Love

Trees play an integral part in our eco system, environments, and our sustainability. Thankfully, they happen to be beautiful as well. Different types of trees will lend themselves to different types of landscaping styles, some working better than others, when considering functionality (like the tree’s hardiness zone rating), design, and environmental impacts (ie. water consumption and drought tolerance).

The experts in our own Garden Centre have lovingly curated a list of 10 of their favourite trees. We’re listing them for you in no particular order and can all but guarantee that you’ll find something to love and maybe even a new favourite of your own as well.

Mayday

• This tree is a flowering tree from the rose family and can reach up to 16 metres in height
• Can also be referred to as a European Bird Cherry
• The Mayday produces large clusters of fragrant white flowers in early May
• After flowering, the Mayday produces small black fruits that attract birds

Weeping Caragama

• This tree is characterized by yellow pea-like flowers that hang below the branches
• The Weeping Caragama is also known as Peashrub
• It produces its beautiful flowers in mid-spring
• It is a shorter tree and reaches only four feet in height but can be up to 6 feet wide
• The Weeping Caragama is known to be quite hardy and tough
• It is often used for adding an accent to gardens and professionally produced landscapes

Schubert Flowering Ornamental Cherry

• This tree is classified as a small tree reaching for 4 to 10 metres.
• The Schubert Flowering Ornamental Cherry can be classified as having a rounded crown with dense foliage, the leaves are a purple/red colour.
• It flowers it late spring and then produces shiny red or black fruit that grows in clusters of 8 to 12.
• This tree should not be planted around livestock as the fruit contain a toxin that may cause harm if they’re ingested.

Honeylocust Tree

• The Honeylocust tree thrives in full sun and should be planted in a spot where it can receive at least six hours of full sun per day.
• It is moderately resistant to flooding as well as somewhat drought resistant.
• The Honeylocust usually grows to heights of 9 to 21 metres.
• It has become increasingly popular in city landscaping as it produces small soft leaves that do not need to be picked up in the fall and will not clog drains.
• It is a fast growing, drought tolerant tree that adapts to a wide range of soil types.
• The Honeylocust has fragrant flowers that bloom in spring.

Flowering Dogwood

• The Flowering Dogwood can reach up to around 12 metres and it blooms with beautiful white to light yellow flowers in spring.
• It can have a difficult time in semi-arid and arid climates unless regular irrigation is available.
• The Flowering Dogwood may thrive in places like a river bank but it does not like soil that is constantly saturated from flooding.
• It should be planted in a location with partial sun and with access to some afternoon shade.

Willow Tree

• Willows are some of the fastest growing trees in the world and are known for absorbing large quantities of water.
• Willows are often planted in flooded areas or areas that need to be drained.
• There are around 400 different species of Willow and some rare types that can grow to 21 metres tall.
• They are usually characterized by soft flowing branches and leaves.

Pink Flowering Dogwood

• It is most notable for the pink pastel flowers it produces each spring.
• The Pink Flowering Dogwood can grow up to 9 metres and is great for landscaping.
• When planting, this tree enjoys moist, well-drained soil with partial shade.
• This tree can grow at the rate of a foot per year.

Japanese Lilac Tree

• The Japanese Lilac can grow up to 9 metres with a large spread of 8 metres.
• It blooms in early summer and produces clusters of white fragrant flowers.
• These trees are known to be very easy to transplant and are rated for hardiness zones 3 through 7.
• A Japanese Lilac will be most happy when planted in full sun.

Buckeye Tree

• The name for the Buckeye comes from the nutlike seed that grows on the tree and resembles the eye of a deer.
• Both the foliage and the seeds of the Buckeye are poisonous.
• It can grow up to 21 metres in height and has a rounded thick canopy of foliage with beautiful flowers in the spring.
• There are numerous types of Buckeye tree and they are valued as ornamental trees.

Douglas Fir

• This evergreen tree is characterized by branches containing long, flat, spirally arranged needles.
• The Douglas Fir is often grown as ornamental trees and even Christmas trees.
• They can reach up to 42 metres in B.C.’s interior and up to 85 metres on the coast.
• The timber of the Douglas Fir is often harvested and used for heavy structures.

By understanding the characteristics and needs of a tree, you are well on your way to being equipped to make the best choice for your space. These ten trees are just a few of the fantastic options that can add to and create the outdoor spaces of your dreams.