Columnar Tree: What Are the Popular Columnar Tree Varieties
While spreading trees create amazing effects in expansive landscapes, they can overpower other elements in a small patio or garden. Columnar tree varieties are ideal for these smaller, more personal areas. These trees are slender and narrow, making them ideal for small spaces. For additional details on columnar tree types, continue reading.
A Columnar Tree: What Is It?
“Columnar conifers” is one of the eight types of conifers recognized by the American Conifer Association. These trees, which include those classified as fastigiate, columnar, narrowly pyramidal, or narrowly conical, are characterized as being significantly taller than they are wide.
Conifers or not, narrow, upright tree species make good small-space trees because they don’t need a lot of elbow room. Tightly planted, they also make good privacy screens and hedges.
Concerning Columnar Tree Types
Not every variety of columnar tree is an evergreen conifer. A few are covered in deciduous trees. All types of columnar trees have straight, alert postures and outlines that are almost formal. Their thin shape makes them simple to tuck into any part of the garden that requires support, such as the patio or entryway.
Certain varieties of columnar trees can grow to be as tall as 40 feet (12 meters), such as the columnar hornbeam (Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata,‘), but some are much shorter, and some are very short. Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil,’ for instance, reaches a maximum height of 4 to 10 feet (2-4 meters).
Different Types of Columnar Trees
Which types of columnar trees are therefore especially appealing? Many have positive attributes. Below are some of my favorites.
The hicks yew (Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’), an evergreen that thrives in both sun and shade, is a dense tree with an amazing pruning tolerance. It can be easily pruned to half its maximum size; it reaches up to 20 feet (6 meters) tall and roughly half that width.
Weeping white spruce is an uncommon but excellent option as well. It has a lot of character because of its pendulous branches and tall central leader. It remains only 6 feet (2 meters) wide, but it soars to a height of 30 feet (9 meters).
Kindred Spirit, a small columnar oak, is a good option when it comes to deciduous trees. At 30 feet (9 meters) tall, it reaches a respectable oak height with silvery foliage and upswept branches. At its widest point of 6 feet (2 meters), it remains slender.
Another option is to try a narrow fruit tree, such as the Prunus x cerasifera ‘Cripoizam’ or Crimson Pointe cherry. It can be grown in partial shade and reaches a height of 25 feet (8 meters) while remaining under 6 feet (2 meters) in width.
