7 Tips To Choosing The Best Tree Shapes In Your Garden

 tree shapes for landscaping
Rodney Coley By Rodney Coley | Editor

 basic tree shapes

Guide To Tree Shapes For Your Garden

Selecting the best trees to grow in your garden is a significant decision since you will have to live with as long as you live in your house, so it definitely requires careful planning and thought. There are thousands of different tree species that are available, which means that making a beautiful brand new garden allows you to choose the trees as well as their shapes that will suit your house the best. A majority of trees may be divided according to their shapes; whether you would like to accomplish this by keeping them manicured or through natural growth, either way, it will definitely have an effect on your garden's appearance.

Just like you would plan your home's interior to find the colors and shapes that would suit your overall design the best, you need to do this kind of planning when you are choosing trees for your garden as well. Look at all of the typical shapes of a tree to discover which ones would best suit your garden. That will give you a good idea of the level of aesthetics and maintenance for each type, and over the long term, you will be able to select the trees that you will be pleased with for many years into the future.

1Columnar Tree Shape

This is a very common tree style. It can be identified very easily by its tall, long shape. Very popular varieties are included in columnar trees, such as the Pyramid Oak and Italian Cypress, featuring upright branches.

Although a columnar tree may not have a narrow shape necessarily, its branches grow vertically at all times. They provide an overall rectangular shape. This shape is perfect for gardens with limited ground area since their height achieves a lot on its own.

 tree shapes for landscaping

2Fastigiate Tree Shape

A fastigiate tree is similar in shape to the columnar tree but has more of a narrow appearance. It is also known for having erect branches. These branches are upright and tall and include popular varieties, like the Betula pendula fastigiata.

As the branches grow upright, they intertwine with one another. If you have a limited amount of ground area but still would like to make a statement within your garden, then this shape is ideal. However, they may not provide as much shade as wider varieties do.

different tree shapes

3Spreading Or Irregular Tree Shape

These are trees that do not go into any of our other categories. The easiest way to identify them is that they have branches that grow freely and wildly without having any defined shape. Anybody who has a spreading tree needs to take care of it and make sure its branches are maintained on a regular basis using a pole saw or other tools.

Otherwise, they will grow very wildly. These trees are very common and well-suited for gardens that have a bit more growing room. They are usually beautiful and include some common kinds of ginkgos and cherry trees.

4Oval Or Round Tree Shape

An oval or round tree shape is ideal for gardens requiring shade since the branches spread out, which creates dense foliage. It is absolutely critical to keep the trees maintained and branches trimmed to prevent them from overgrowing. Even when these trees are manicured, it still will provide your garden with plenty of shade.

Oval trees or round-shaped trees have strong trunks, which makes them an impressive centerpiece for a garden. These trees are best suited for properties that have plenty of space. Some of the most common round tree varieties include the white ash and sugar maples, which make a nice focal point in your yard.

5Pyramidal Tree Shape

These trees look somewhat like a cone and feature very narrow tips and bodies that continue to be wider as you go further down the tree. The fir is the most common kind of pyramidal-shaped tree. Other deciduous trees and conifers also have a classic shape.

A large property is best for growing pyramidal-shaped trees. They have a tendency to grow quite large. Make sure that there is enough space for them.

different tree shapes

6Vase Tree Shape

This type of tree has a gorgeous shape that has a narrow bottom at the trunk and then leaves and branches that dramatically spread out at the top. The trees have a very graceful appearance. They are ideal for front yards.

But they do need regular pruning with a tool that enables you to reach up high. A vase-shaped tree, such as crape myrtle, is a great way to provide volume and shade. Their trunks are smaller, so they don't take up a lot of space on the ground.

 selecting trees by shape

7Weeping Tree Shape

It is easy to identify this shape of a tree due to having "weeping" in its name, like weeping cherry trees and weeping willows. These trees have hanging and long branches. These make them an ideal accent tree.

The branches on a weeping tree may grow very wildly. Therefore, they need to be pruned on a regular basis. It shouldn't be planted close to a sidewalk to avoid regular pruning.

 tree shapes for landscaping

When you are planning your garden, selecting a tree is the most important of all of the design processes. You not only need to find the best tree shapes to suit whatever look you want for your garden design, but you also need to consider ongoing pruning and maintenance, too. You can care for the majority of the trees with an essential pair of pruners, along with a pole saw that enables you to reach up high, as long as you can devote the time.

Trees can potentially live for centuries if they are cared for properly, and they can even outlive the house they are planted close to sometimes. That is why it is essential to select the right tree that has enough space to grow. Houses that have less span should choose a vase, fastigiate, or column shape since they don't need a lot of space on the ground. But if you have lots of space, then you can explore a practically endless number of shapes.


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  •  tree shapes for landscaping
  • different tree shapes