Small Deciduous Tree for Clay Soil -

20 years ago

Hello,
I'm very new to this site and am looking for some handy advice re a small tree. We have a relatively small block of land and have clay soil throughout. As expected with clay, the soil retains moisture in winter and even though we have landscaped our yard and put in extra drainage, there still seems to be a lot of excess moisture around. We have planted lawn and a few small shrubs but were hoping that a tree could soak up some more water for us.
We've thought of putting in a silver birch but I am worried about sizing. I wouldn't want to go any larger than 8 metres. I have heard that if you plant three silver birch's together you can maintain a better size? ??? The other option was a mop-top but I hear that they have a suckering problem. We would like a deciduous tree so that the lawn underneath will still get light in winter.
Preferably, we would like to avoid trees with surface root stock as it would be planted relatively close to the house and our paving.
It all seems to hard. Does anyone have any ideas?

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Comments (3)

User
20 years ago
I am sorry that no-one has come up with any ideas for you yet. I think the problem is partly the wetness.

My first thought for your area was a Japanese maple. There are so many lovely ones in various heights, also grafted ones, weeping ones, red varieties etc. I know they will grow in clay, but I think a young one will really not like to have wet feet. You could build a raised bed to give the tree better drainage. I have seen this done very successfully.

I do agree with NOT planting a mop-top (by which I assume you mean a Robinia). You will have problems with suckering.

I think planting a group of Silver Birches may slow them a little, but they will still get big.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

Cheers,
Dee.
Jamus_S
20 years ago
I really don't like Robinias... mop-top or not they are invasive and horrid. What about a Gleditsia? Or one of the deciduous Rhododendrons?
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dennismc
20 years ago
We have a similar soil to yours and have had good success with Sapium sebiferum (Chinese tallow tree). It does stay within the size limits you require and produces very good Autumn colour. One reservation is that it can sometimes seed too freely, but I do not think it would be a problem in your Mediteranean climate.

regards
Dennis Mc