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
Pruning Simplified: A Step-by-Step Guide to 50 Popular Trees and Shrubs
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Pruning Simplified shows you exactly how to do it. This must-have guide offers expert advice on the best tools for the job, specific details on when to prune, and clear instructions on how to prune. Profiles of the 50 most popular trees and shrubs—including azaleas, camellias, clematis, hydrangeas, and more—include illustrated, easy-to-follow instructions that will ensure you make the right cut the first time.
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
The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
The Nature of Oaks reveals what is going on in oak trees month by month, highlighting the seasonal cycles of life, death, and renewal. From woodpeckers who collect and store hundreds of acorns for sustenance to the beauty of jewel caterpillars, Doug Tallamy illuminates and celebrates the wonders that occur right in our own backyards. He also shares practical advice about how to plant and care for an oak, along with information about the best oak species for your area.
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