Private Garden Trees

About this pattern

Trees that people love, create special places. Private trees have personal meanings to the people who planted them. They are often planted for their colour, flowers, & shape (see the pattern SELECTING SHADE TREES). Trees need care such as watering, pruning and checking for insect attacks (see the pattern CARING FOR TREES).

Often people are afraid of big trees in private gardens because they may drop branches or fall on houses in severe storms. But trees are living beings so selecting the tree(s) for a garden will depend on how much space and deep soil is available. Site planning for private garden trees also requires mapping the prevailing winds so that garden trees and shrubs can channel cool breezes and screen winter winds. Also, where garden tree(s) are placed will depend on their purpose; that is, whether it is to shade the house and garden, provide privacy or to be a personal garden feature. It is a good idea to therefore map garden areas that are shaded in summer & are sunny in winter (see the pattern SITE PLANNING FOR COOLTH).

Using trees to make special places

Garden trees can create special spaces for children; the spreading fig for instance can make an outdoor room and is easy to climb. Pairs of columnar trees like small poplars can make a gateway to separate one garden space from another. A weeping garden tree, such as white cedar or Golden Robinia can also create a shady nook for reading on a comfortable garden seat.

Pattern Conditions

Enablers:

• Private trees personalise individual houses and are driven by people’s needs and aesthetic taste. Cooling shade and winter sun improve comfort within private homes.

Constraints:

• Some Local Government Authorities have Tree Preservation Orders which require permission to fell garden trees.
• Current Urban Growth Release developments do not have enough garden area or soil to support shade trees.

Commoning Concerns

Access: private and shared where trees overhang fencing or cross demarcated private/public zones

Use: Shade, aesthetics, children’s play, wildlife habitats & corridors, food production.

Benefit: Emotional well-being, climate amelioration, carbon capture, benefits for bird life, outdoor coolth that allows people to reduce their indoor use of air conditioning.

Care, Responsibility and Ownership: Private owners.