Fast growing trees and conifers

garden editorial

8. December 2022

13 minutes

Fast-growing, evergreen trees and conifers are used in the garden for planting an opaque Hedge, on the other hand, many gardeners do not want to have their garden shaded by greenery for years wait. Evergreen shrubs also have the advantage that there is no need to collect leaves in autumn.

Fast-growing conifers and conifers

All softwoods are evergreen and particularly hardy. Some species can grow very tall and need sufficient space to develop. Due to their dense growth, representatives that remain small are suitable for hedges and property borders. Before deciding on a conifer in the garden or planning to plant a coniferous hedge, you should Find out about the site conditions, the required soil conditions and the special features of the selected tree species inform. The conifers (Coniferales) include countless different species.

planting time and soil conditions

Conifers are best planted in late summer or early fall. It shouldn't be too warm, because the young trees don't tolerate great heat. They need a few weeks and regular watering to take root before winter. The conifers do not make great demands on the soil conditions. The soil should be rich in nutrients, well drained and sufficiently moist. Their pH is slightly acidic to alkaline. If the garden soil is too heavy or too sandy, bark humus and organic fertilizers can be introduced when planting. The addition of rock flour increases the water storage capacity of the soil.

watering and fertilizing

Freshly planted conifers need regular watering. Spring and summer plantings in particular need to be watered because the trees are still too weak to take care of themselves. In autumn, watering depends on the weather. Even in winter, the young conifers need their water on frost-free days. As soon as the trees are a little older, they take care of themselves.

For optimal nutrient supply, coniferous trees can be carefully fertilized twice in the spring with organic fertilizer or mineral fertilizer. The fertilizer must not get on plant parts, it could cause burns. When using long-term fertilizer, one application of fertilizer is sufficient.

diseases and pests

viruses, bacteria or fungi

• Pine blister rust in five-needle pine species, impeding water transfer, browning and death of affected parts
• in the case of the pine spill, all the needles of the old shoots fall off, if it is too damp, the fungus also affects young shoots
• the thuja scale tan causes yellowing on the underside of the branches, which later fall off
• the needle tan is the cause of the death of shoots and branches
• Roots and stems rotted by the fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi when waterlogged, spongy, rotten spots are visible
• Shoot tips turn gray when Pestalotia branches die off, the fungus Pestalotia funerea weakens already damaged trees
• with honey fungus infestation, the roots are affected and the whole tree dies
• Gray mold attacks young shoot tips in damp spring, they turn brown

insect pests

• Miner moths lay eggs between the scales of the thuja, the caterpillars bore into the interior of the plant
• Spiders cover the shoots with white web, the shoots turn brown and fall off
• Plant galls are deformities on shoots caused by gall wasps, gall lice and gall midges
• Lice suck on the needles of the conifers, the needles turn brown and fall off
• Beetle infestation is indicated by boreholes and feeding marks on needles, bark and roots

pest control

Diseased parts of the plant are cut down to the healthy wood. Pesticides can usually be used successfully on small trees. If the infestation is already very advanced, it may be necessary to seek the advice of a specialist. If pest control is unsuccessful, the affected tree must be removed as quickly as possible so as not to infect other trees.

Peculiarities of individual conifers

Although conifers share many characteristics, there are still important differences:

Spruce (Picea)

• is suitable as an unformed hedge for a property boundary or to protect the garden
• The slender Serbian spruce (Picea omorica) is popular as a natural hedge, especially in cities
• since it tolerates the urban climate and makes few demands on the soil conditions
• can grow up to 100 cm annually and does not need pruning
• Just like the Norway spruce (Picea abies), frost cannot harm it

Fir (Abies)

• absolutely hardy and species-rich
• grows into a mighty tree in good conditions
• deep roots ensure that it is supplied with water even in hot summer

Tree of Life (Thuja)

• popular hedge tree
• all species love sunbathing and need sufficient water
• Due to their flat rootstock, dry periods require regular watering
• from desired height, regular pruning required in autumn

Horse cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

MPF, Leyland Cypress, edited by Hausgarten, CC BY-SA 3.0.
W.Baumgartner, Cupressocyparis leylandii, edited by Hausgarten, CC BY-SA 3.0.

• grows in the shape of a cone
• can grow up to one meter per year
• highly tolerant of pruning (spring and autumn) - therefore very popular as a hedge plant

Yew (taxus)

• is one of the oldest and most insensitive softwoods
• in autumn it bears red, poisonous berries
• bark and needles are also poisonous
• can be cut to shape very well
• The yew responds to radical pruning with tireless new growth

Juniper (Juniperus)

• fast growing
• loves light soil and a place in the sun
• Juniper trees should not be too close together
• Due to the lack of sunlight, the needles will fall off at the points of contact
• is more suitable for a loosely constructed protective hedge

Monkey Tree (Araucaria)

• is an evergreen tree with a long life expectancy
• can be over eighty meters high and several hundred years old
• grows up to 30 cm a year
• spirally arranged leaf scales
• as a solitary plant it brings an exotic touch to the garden
• few demands on the soil
• Soil should be moderately nutrient rich and slightly acidic
• reigns in waterlogging with root rot
• nevertheless, the root ball of the Araucaria must not dry out
• largely frost hardy
• Fleece mats are sufficient as winter protection
• young araucaria need good winter cover

The evergreen trees and large shrubs

In addition to conifers, evergreen trees/large shrubs are also ideal for quickly greening a garden or for creating a screen from the neighboring property. Even as a solitary tree, a large shrub impresses every garden lover. Especially in winter they are a welcome eye-catcher.

Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

location and soil conditions

The cherry laurel prefers a semi-shady to shady spot. It thrives on any humus and nutrient-rich garden soil, but does not tolerate waterlogging.

care and fertilizer

The cherry laurel is suitable as a hedge plant and gives the garden a touch of Mediterranean flair. As a solitary tree, it tolerates a topiary. The fast-growing cherry laurel (up to 60 cm per year) should be pruned every year in June. The use of an electric hedge trimmer should be avoided. This would shred the large leaves and not cut the branches cleanly. It is better to carry out a targeted pruning with hand hedge trimmers and pruning shears. Prunus laurocerasus will sprout again without any problems even with larger cutting measures. At the end of March, fertilize the cherry laurel with horn shavings and compost. An additional dose of Patentkali in August promotes the frost tolerance of the leaves.

diseases and pests

The cherry laurel can become infected with the fungus "Stigmina carpophila". It is responsible for the shotgun disease, which is noticeable by reddish-brown spots on the upper side of the leaves. The diseased leaf tissue is shed and holes appear in the leaf. Diseased leaves are carefully removed and disposed of with household waste. The plant can be sprayed with appropriate fungicides before sprouting.

Downy and powdery mildew are often observed on cherry laurel. Powdery mildew forms white deposits on leaves, flowers, shoots and fruits that can be wiped off. In the case of downy mildew, the fungus grows inside the plant. Affected leaves turn greyish-white on the underside and brown or yellow on the upper side. The fungus weakens the plant, it can die. Affected parts are cut and disposed of with household waste. Spraying with a broth made from field horsetail or tansy curbs the fungus. If the infestation is severe, fungicides must be used.

Holly (Ilex)

location and soil conditions

The Ilex loves it as bright as possible. As a deep-rooting plant, it requires deep, humus-rich and well-drained soil, but does not tolerate waterlogging.

care and fertilizer

The holly requires little care in a wind-protected location. If the drought persists, it is grateful for additional watering (preferably rainwater, as it is lime-free).

Fertilizers, such as horn shavings or a complete mineral fertilizer, are only required for the young plant. Pruning is not necessary with the Ilex. However, if it gets too big, it can be pruned preferably in summer.

diseases and pests

The Ilex can be attacked by the leaf miner fly, which eats tunnels in the tree's foliage. In the case of a heavy infestation, the fly must be combated with insecticides during the flight period in May/June. If white, woolly bags hang under the leaves of the Ilex, the woolly scale insect is responsible for this. Control is carried out with appropriate insecticides.

Aukube (Aucuba japonica)

location and soil conditions

A bright location is suitable for the Aukube. The blazing sun fades the leaves. The soil should be deep, humus and permeable. Avoid waterlogging.

Care

What is striking about the Aukube are its green-yellow variegated leaves and the bright red berries in autumn. The fast-growing large shrub adorns every home garden and is an attractive eye-catcher in winter. If it becomes too big or bare from below, it can be pruned back radically. The plant regenerates after the procedure and grows bushy again. Regular watering is only necessary up to the age of one year.

rhododendron

location and soil conditions

Rhododendrons grow best in light partial shade. When it comes to soil conditions, however, they have special requirements. They prefer humus rich soil with an acidic pH between 4.5 and 5.5. In order to create optimal growth conditions for a rhododendron, organic materials such as coniferous soil or rotted leaves can be worked into the soil before planting.

care and fertilizer

Rhododendrons grow moderately fast, but become magnificently flowering large shrubs over the years. Lush flowering takes place between April and June, after which horn shavings or rhododendron fertilizer are used as fertilizer. You should not normally cut a rhododendron, only the faded inflorescences should be removed. If it has become too big or out of shape, you have to intervene. When cutting, inflorescences often fall victim to the scissors for the next year. Often there are no flowers at all for a long time.

diseases and pests

In the case of rhododendrons, the rhododendron cicada is one of the main pests. She bores holes in the flower buds and thus opens the gates for mushrooms. The buds turn brown and die. The fungus itself can hardly be combated, but combating the cicada with appropriate insecticides promises success.

Wrinkled viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum)

location and soil conditions

The wrinkled viburnum can be planted in the sun or in the shade in a wind-protected spot. He doesn't make any great demands on the floor. The potting soil should be humus, fresh and moist.

Care

The wrinkled snowball impresses with its stately size, which can increase by up to 50 cm a year. Due to its width, a distance of at least one meter between the plants should be maintained when planting a hedge. The plant is robust and tolerates the urban climate, one reason why it is often planted as a noise protection tree. In spring it forms large white umbrella-shaped flowers. After flowering, any necessary pruning can be done. Care should be taken when handling the wrinkled snowball. All parts of the plant are poisonous. Touching the hairy leaves or inhaling the tiny hairs can cause allergic reactions, such as skin rashes or difficulty breathing.

diseases and pests

Aphids occasionally appear on the wrinkled viburnum. You can use biological sprays, e.g. B. Nettle broth, can be fought well.

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