Read Up FAQs
What does pot literage equate to in dimensions?
Because we custom fit each Air-Pot to its rootball, we can only give precise dimensions by measuring each one. However, the table below gives rough approximations.
Litres | Approx Diameter (cm) | Approx Height(cm) |
---|---|---|
50 | 40 | 40 |
80 | 50.5 | 40 |
150 | 62 | 50 |
200 | 70 | 60 |
300 | 80 | 60 |
400 | 92.5 | 60 |
500 | 113 | 60 |
600 | 113 | 60 |
800 | 120 | 70 |
1000 | 140 | 70 |
1500 | 170 | 70 |
2000 | 180 | 80 |
2500 | 200 | 80 |
3000 | 220 | 80 |
4000 | 240 | 80 |
Will the trunk of my tree get longer over time?
No. Trees grow mainly from the tips of their branches and roots and laterally from nodes at branching points, so the length of the main trunk, measured from the ground to the first main lateral branches, will remain pretty much the same unless the lower branches are pruned away or the tree naturally drops them.
Can I buy a young tree and pleach it myself?
Theoretically yes, but it would have to be quite a young tree for it to ever look good, and it isn’t an easy thing for a novice to get right. Also, many of the varieties commonly used for pleaching are somewhat slow growing (hornbeam, beech, evergreen oak), so if these are varieties of interest be aware that it will be a very long time before a newly pleached specimen fills in and begins to take shape.
If I like a variety of tree that will eventually be too large for my space, can I keep it to the size I want by getting it pruned regularly?
It depends on the variety. Evergreen oaks, hollies and Portugese laurel (Prunus lusitanica) respond well to clipping, and Hornbeam is amenable to being trained into all sorts of shapes. For most garden tree varieties, very regular light pruning will certainly slow down a growth rate, but this sort of maintenance pruning becomes much harder to manage once the tree grows beyond easy reach. And whilst tree surgeons can be brought in to take up the baton, over time the tree can end up with blunt ends on the branches which is not the most graceful silhouette in winter and may give an unnatural crown shape in summer.
How do I work out what my soil type is?
It’s quite easy actually! You can do it yourself with a trowel and a jar of water, but rather than explain all that here, we’d recommend you google ‘how to work out your soil type’ to access some quick demonstration videos.
What are the laws around having tall hedges these days?
According to this law, a person has the right to ask the council to intervene if the following conditions apply:
- The objectionable hedge is comprised of 2 or more mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs
- The trees are over 2 metres tall
- The trees are affecting one’s enjoyment of their home or garden because they are too tall
- The person being affected has already attempted to resolve the issue by speaking with the owner of the trees directly.
Do I need planning permission to plant a tree?
No, not generally speaking, but gated communities, leasehold properties, communal access grounds etc. may have restrictions.
Do I need planning permission to cut down a tree?
If the tree has a TPO (tree protection order) on it, then you will need to get permission from the council to take it down. You will normally have to replace it with a variety from an approved list of options, which they will provide, of an approved minimal size.
Can you plant trees in pots?
Yes and no. A true tree will not thrive indefinitely in a pot (except as a bonsai), unless that pot is changed for a larger one every few years to accommodate for the expanding root system. Having said that, you can still get several years of enjoyment out of a tree planted in a pot, especially if you fertilise it regularly (this is crucial). Slower and smaller growing varieties will of course last longer. Think of it like garden furniture. That doesn’t last forever either but is still well worth the investment.
Can I plant the trees more deeply in the ground to get the crowns at just the right height for screening?
I’m afraid not. It is vital that the soil level after the trees are planted sits no more than a centimetre or so above the top of the rootball. Wet soil sitting against the bark at the base of the tree will rot the trunk. Odd, I know, when you think that the roots immediately below that point are perfectly adapted for life in moist soil! The marvels of nature.
What do I need to consider if I’m looking for trees for a roof garden?
Weight of course. And increasing weight over time. And the added weight of the compost, remembering that this will be much heavier after watering. Also, how you will get it to the roof. A crane may provide that solution, which we can arrange. If it is a mature tree you are after, or a tree which will be a permanent feature in your roof garden, it is important to consult with a specialist.
Can I keep a naturally large-growing tree from outgrowing its space by pruning it regularly?
It depends on the variety. Evergreen oaks, hollies and evergreen magnolias respond well to clipping, and Hornbeam is amenable to being trained into all sorts of shapes. For most garden tree varieties, very regular light pruning will certainly slow down a growth rate, but this sort of maintenance pruning becomes much harder to manage once the tree grows beyond easy reach. And whilst tree surgeons can be brought in to take up the baton, over time the tree will end up with blunt ends on the branches which is unsitely in winter and gives an unnatural crown shape in summer.