Choosing a small garden tree

15:17 4th January 2010

Brits with small garden areas may struggle to choose the one tree that suits their needs, but the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has given some advice on the issue.

One of the more important factors in your choice should be the potential height and spread of the specimen, as it is important that it does not dwarf other plants or block their light.

Furthermore, the tree should reflect which season you wish it to be most interesting in. For example, a deciduous specimen may be beautiful in autumn, while evergreens can keep their leaves right through winter.

However, the organisation suggested that garden and greenhouse growers opt for a variety that is visually stimulating at different times of the year.

"If you only have room for one tree ideally look for one with more than one season of interest such as fruit or autumn colour following on from flowers," it said.

Meanwhile, the RHS has published a list of January gardening tips, including shredding used Christmas trees for mulch.