| Many people choose trees for their private | | | | open shape for which it is famed. It sports pretty, |
| garden based on flower color and fruit. While both | | | | yellow flowers in the summer, followed by very |
| these are desirable ingredients in a garden, they | | | | decorative fruits that resemble oriental lanterns. It |
| are not necessarily the best grounds for | | | | is not noted for particularly wonderful fall color. |
| preferring one species over another. A | | | | Sapium sebiferum (Chinese Tallow Tree) |
| well-chosen landscaping tree is essentially one | | | | For phenomenal autumn color, Chinese Tallow is |
| whose form, shape, size and leaf texture, provide | | | | probably unmatched in the mild winters typical of |
| shade and in visual terms, plays a specific and | | | | Mediterranean climates. It grows to about 10-12 |
| dominating role in the garden composition. Counter | | | | meters, with a distinctly round or conical canopy. |
| intuitive as it may be, flowers and fruit are better | | | | In terms of its natural shape, Sapium could be |
| considered as a bonus and not as the most | | | | considered a substitute for Ash species that are |
| important, let alone the only criterion on which to | | | | generally too large for small plots. While excellent |
| base a decision. | | | | in dry climates, it is becoming an invasive pest |
| Here are four examples of fine landscape trees | | | | close to rivers and in wetter areas. Flowers and |
| that are particularly suitable for small private | | | | fruit are not especially significant. |
| gardens, if not tiny ones, in a dry, Mediterranean | | | | Melia azedarach (Chinaberry) |
| climate. I have deliberately singled out species that | | | | Chinaberry grows very quickly to about 12 |
| are neither noted for their spectacular blooms, nor | | | | meters or so. The most beautiful specimens are |
| for providing edible fruit, but instead as beautiful | | | | those that grow to a flat, umbrella shape, but as |
| shapes in the landscape. All, as it happens are | | | | form is highly variable within the species, it is not |
| deciduous. | | | | always possible to be certain as to the final shape |
| Celtis australis (Hackberry) | | | | of the mature tree. The leaves are a deep green, |
| Hackberry simply has a beautiful form, light grey | | | | finely toothed, and provide a delicate, almost |
| bark, which becomes warty in age, and a uniquely | | | | feathery texture. For this reason, the tree |
| delightful leaf texture. A fine specimen is a | | | | combines well with ornamental grasses. |
| splendid piece of architecture to behold. It grows | | | | Chinaberry's lilac flowers are followed by |
| at a moderate rate to about 12 meters (30-40 | | | | decorative fruit. It can self sow and become a |
| feet) and so is unsuited to very small backyards. | | | | pest in wet areas, but this is not usually a problem |
| The roots on the other hand are not aggressive, | | | | in the long, dry summers of a Mediterranean |
| and so it can be planted safely close to buildings. | | | | climate. |
| Hackberry's blooms are completely insignificant, | | | | The smaller the garden space, the more |
| but it has decorative, berry-like fruit, and in cold | | | | important it becomes to choose a tree according |
| areas, lovely leaf color in the autumn. | | | | to landscaping criteria and not be carried away by |
| Koelreuteria bipinnata (Chinese Flame Tree) | | | | the showy blooms of a species that may be |
| Koelreuteria is a fast growing tree that reaches | | | | totally unsuitable for a particular plot. Try to think |
| to about 8 meters (25 feet) in Mediterranean | | | | shape, size and form first, and allow the shrubs |
| climates; possibly more in warm winter ones. Its | | | | and herbaceous plants in the garden to be the |
| roots are not aggressive. Unlike the Hackberry, it | | | | principle suppliers of color. |
| requires careful pruning to achieve the satisfying, | | | | |