Which tree?

We're digging out the triangle of grass behind the new gate and putting down bark mulch to make mowing easier.

We'd like to plant a tree in the middle but can't decide which one, we had thought about the Kent native tree of Chequers or Wild Service tree but it doesn't like chalk apparently.

Any suggestions for a tree that has colour in the autumn and berries/fruit that will thrive on a thin chalk soil would be appreciated

 

A Kentish cob? Nuts and catkins?

 

How Chalky is it?
I remember seeing some pretty rampant Tulip trees.

 

Very Chalky, solid rock a few inches down

Tetters looked in to growing cob nuts Vince, she was advised they grow better in the sandy soil around the Maidstone area

Good point, but we'm no spring chickens

 

Bonsai, its the only way to go.

 

You could well be right Pete

 

Unless you really wanted a big tree there I'd go for a bed of tropical looking plants that you can change each year,
Zigs needs something to do

 

So far I think the Tulip tree (Liriodendron) might well be in the lead, as, although it is quite a broad shape, the others on site are pretty easy to mow around, are fast growing, deciduous (to help with Lord Awful`s leaf mould contributions) and give shade. The ones that already grow here are indeed doing well on the chalky conditions, and are quite ornamental.

We also considered Fagus, either Dawyck Gold -or Dawyck Purple, but they are fairly slow.

Pete, would those lovely ginger plants you brought over like that situation?

Thank you all so much for your suggestions

 

Probably slightly too exposed for gingers I'd say, bearing in mind your situation.
Against the house wall, or near, would be my suggestion for them next spring.

How about the Variegated version of the tulip tree?

 

A golden Yew (Taxus) would work Tetters, but I'm not sure how you feel about that on the camp site - from a poisonous point of view?

 

Less work

 

Maybe consider Acer Griseum. Perhaps a bit too small and slow growing for what you require but lovely tree. Good autumn colour and has the best bark for peeling

 

Euonymous europaeus? Spindle tree. Likes chalky soil, apparently. So does Cotoneaster lactaeus, which can be trained as a weeping standard.

 

Multi stemmed birch.
I was thinking of spindle tree, but the one I have is a bit weedy.
Different looking "berries", red and orange.