trees

Pyracantha can be grown as trees. I’m currently growing six cuttings of different colours. They usually grow as a bushy shrub but can be grown as a tree shape, even a bonsai. They have flowers that bees love and fruit that birds love and spines that intruders hate.

 

Thanks for all your intersting replies, lots to think about.

 

You've got a good memory for a 'grumpy old git'.
Sounds a good idea though.

 

Hi @Emjay

I wanted to echo what @Tidemark said about pyracanthas. They are very easy shrubs that are great for wildlife. They also produce gorgeous berries in Autumn, when most plants aren't doing their best. I love mine. I have 2. The only thing to note though is that they are thorny (I don't mind that myself).

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Willow of various species is used to make living structures as cuttings are so easy. Plant a living willow structure - Thrive

Swamp trees in general root easily as they tend to collapse and reroot in places. Elder is another example which roots easily from cuttings.

 

While not wishing to contradict, as you are correct but its alder that suits wet or swampy ground whereas elder prefers drier conditions, such as hedge banks or woodland edges. Both can be grown from hardwood cuttings; elder from soft or hardwood cuttings, or seed, often spread by birds eating/passing the elderberries.
Alder may be distinguished by its catkins/seed heads

courtesy Woodland trust

 

I'd agree re alder. I have loads of alder because my land is so soggy!

 

I didnt know that about alder!

Interesting the woodland trust says it prefers dry areas, around here its mostly in wet areas like ditches and forest that floods in winter, or along the canal. But ive also seen it grows in some dry areas too. Maybe it just grows everywhere!

 

I've seen alder planted near streams and suchlike but it does seem to grow in less damp places aswell.
I think you could really say it's capable of tolerating water logging rather than actually needing it.

 

Alder grows well round here too [wet] but many trees/shrubs are adaptable and will grow in drier areas as well as wet.
Like many plants, and not just woody ones, it's the length of time they stay in very wet or very dry conditions that can make the difference, in the same way that the length of time conditions are very hot or very cold can affect survival or health.

 

I know of a massive plane tree and it's planted by the side of a stream, it's root go way out from the bank and into the water it must be a couple of hundred years old.
Compare those growing conditions to ones used as street trees in London and around the world .

 

There's also a big difference between something that's naturally occurred - ie seed or buried nut/fruit via wildlife, and a tree that's been actively planted. Naturally occurring trees/shrubs adapt as they grow, or they simply don't survive at all, depending on the site. It's the reason many plants produce so much fruit/nut/seed.
Survival of the fittest