The thought of restricting most gardeners to only three of any plant might sound cruel. After all, what makes us happier than heading to the nursery to fill a shopping cart? But limiting your plant palette has many advantages. In many cases, less variety means less chaos. And when it comes to trees, limiting yourself to just three options may also be necessary, since trees take up more space and are more expensive than a perennial. It’s for these reasons that we decided to imagine ourselves on a strict three-tree diet. In this episode we answer the question: If you could only have three trees, which ones would you choose? The answers might surprise you.
Expert testimony: Ed Gregan works for Bailey Nurseries in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Carol’s Plants
‘Forest Pansy’ redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’, Zones 5–9). Photo: S. G. S., via Wikimedia Commons
‘Silhouette’ dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Zones 5–8b)
‘Lois’ magnolia
Flowers on ‘Lois’ magnolia (Magnolia ‘Lois’, Zones 4–9)
Danielle’s Plants
‘Heronswood Globe’ katsura tree habit
Foliage of ‘Heronswood Globe’ katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum ‘Heronswood Globe’, Zones 4–8)
Franklin tree (Franklinia alatamaha, Zones 5–8)
Dragon’s-eye Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora ‘Oculus Draconis’, Zones 4–7)
Expert’s Plants
Ed Gregan works for Bailey Nurseries in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Goldspire™ ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba ‘Blagon’, Zones 4–8). Photo: Bailey Nurseries
Goldspire™ ginkgo. Photo: Bailey Nurseries
Scarlet Fire® kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa ‘Rutpink’, Zones 5–8). Photo: Bower and Branch
Japanese stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia, Zones 5–8)
Full moon maple (Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’, Zones 5–8)
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
DeWalt Variable-Speed Cordless Reciprocating Saw with 6-Piece Saw Blade Set
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
You can fit a variety of blades to this saw to cut fallen branches or prune larger limbs from trees in a pinch. It’s fast, tough, easy to use, and extremely versatile.
- 18.31 x 6.13 x 4 inches
- 1-1/8-inch stroke length
- Variable speed trigger with 0-3000 spm
- DW4856 Metal/Woodcutting Reciprocating Saw Blade Set, 6-Piece
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