The Hillier Tree Guide

Tree Guide

Image Credit: Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Throughout the A-Z section of this guide, each tree has been meticulously illustrated in a way to help you select the right plant for a purpose. Use the example below to easily understand the characteristics of each species from size & shape to soil tolerances.

Botanical name

Acer campestre

Field Maple Size: Medium

This native tree is an important food source for many insects and birds. Its leaves are dark green turning to striking clear yellow in autumn. The bark is fissured with a slightly corky texture giving an additional element of interest. Its winged helicopter-like seeds are similar to most maples. Yellow-green upright clusters of flowers emerge in spring. It will happily embrace our coastal areas and is a lovely tree for natural or rural planting.

Common name

Ultimate size

Large over 20 m (60ft)

Medium 10 - 20 m (30 - 60ft)

Small 5 - 10 m (15 - 30ft)

Description

Soil tolerance

Soil conditions and tolerances (Wet soil / Dry soil / Lime tolerance).

Tolerances to various conditions once the tree is established.

Plant for a purpose

Size & shape / form

Since the lifespan of a tree can be anything from 60 to 600 years (Ultimate size), we have given an indication of approximate size (height x width), that is likely to be reached at 15 years, 25 years and 50 years from propagation. This information is an approximate average as trees will perform in accordance with site conditions and maintenance.

FORM: A guide to indicate the expected form or shape of the tree and how it develops, up to 50 years. These are average forms which again can vary with site conditions, for example strong prevailing winds.

Image Credit: Barrell Tree Consultancy

Welcome to the Seventh Edition of The Hillier Tree Guide

Since it was first introduced, our Tree Guide – previously known as The Hillier Designer’s Guide – has proved popular and useful for all those specifying trees for projects, from landscape contractors and designers to local authorities and garden designers.

Hillier has a long and proud history of horticultural expertise. Our trees have been British grown on our nurseries for more than 155 years. I am delighted to say that today we are recognised as the UK’s premier tree grower, supplying a comprehensive selection of quality trees from our field and container nurseries all year around. Since the last edition of this guide, we have continued to expand the range of our larger trees, meaning we are now the UK’s number one grower of semi-mature trees.

This latest edition of The Hillier Tree Guide has been updated to make it even simpler to use, while remaining packed full of valuable information. At the heart of the guide is a complete A–Z listing of trees available from Hillier, including size guides. Many of our trees are available as semi-mature, and some as super-semi mature for projects requiring instant impact. Hillier is renowned for innovation and new introductions, allowing us to work successfully with projects of different scope and requirement. For example, we were privileged enough to win the contract to supply all the trees to the Olympic Parklands London 2012 and the amazing Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 2014. The back section of this book outlines many other possibilities for designing with our trees. This includes planting for all - year - around interest; using trees to create eye-catching shapes and protecting the ecosystem with trees for pollinators or pollutant reduction. Our concern grows about the very real and serious threat to our environment from imported pests and diseases, such as Xylella. We will continue to try and raise awareness of the part everyone can play to prevent a devastating outbreak,

including by specifying British-grown trees. There has been a huge surge in interest for our Dutch-elm disease free tree, Ulmus ‘New Horizon’, in a bid to restore the magnificent elm to our landscape following its devastating loss in the 1960’s. It took many, many years of research to develop this tree and when it comes to new diseases, our opinion is always that prevention is better than cure.

I hope you enjoy this latest edition of The Hillier Tree Guide and find it useful. Thank you for your continued support. For our part, we remain committed to growing and supplying only the best quality, British-grown trees for your planting projects.

Robert Hillier, OBE, VHM

Hillier History Timeline

Hillier Nurseries has experienced a remarkable journey from a single florist shop with two acres of land in Winchester in 1864 to the horticultural powerhouse it is today. Discover some of the key milestones along the way in our company timeline.

• 1864 Edwin purchased the first Hillier shop in Winchester, marking the start of Hillier business

• 1875 The first Hillier cultivar, Primula sinensis flore pleno ‘Annie Hillier’, was introduced. This went on to receive the Royal Horticultural Society’s First Class Certificate

• 1883 A site covering 130 acres of land north of Winchester was purchased. Further land in Winchester was purchased and this site, known as No.1 Nursery, became the location of the first Hillier Garden Centre almost a century later

• 1921 Edwin’s two sons Edwin Lawrence and Arthur take over the family business

• 1932 Harold Hillier, Edwin Lawrence’s son becomes partner

• 1935 The first Royal Warrant of Appointment was granted to Hillier and Sons

• 1953 Harold purchased Jermyns House and began creating the Hillier Arboretum, today known as the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and run by Hampshire County Council

• 1983 Sir Harold Hillier receives a knighthood for services to horticulture

• 1984 A 270-acre site of fantastic sandy loam was purchased at Liss to begin semi-mature tree production

• 2010 Hillier won the AIPH ‘International Grower of the Year’ Award

• 2020 Hillier remains world-record holder for consecutive gold medal wins at RHS Chelsea Flower Show with a streak of 74. Across the company’s tree nurseries in Hampshire, around 750,000 trees grow at any one time on 750 acres of land

• 2022 Hill farm purchased, a 100 acre farm which will be developed in to the Hillier young tree production unit

The company may have changed in scale in more than 155 years, but our passion and love for plants, supplying only the highest quality, remains the same. This is the case whether we are supplying an avenue of trees or a single specimen for a pot. You will now find the fifth generation of Hillier enthusiastically discussing new cultivars!

1932 - Harold Hillier becomes partner

1864 - Edwin Hillier purchased the first Hillier shop in Winchester

1984 - A 270-acre site purchased at Liss to begin semi-mature tree production

Hill farm,100 acre young tree production purchased and developed in 2021/22

Biosecurity

There is a real and extremely serious threat to our environment from imported pests and diseases, some of which are coming into the UK on imported trees.

The Growing Threat

Over the last decade there has been a significant increase in the frequency and severity of Biosecurity threats to our plants in the UK. Human activity has accelerated the introduction and spread of a wide range of pests and diseases; such as Ash Dieback and Oak Processionary Moth which can have devastating consequences for both urban and rural landscapes.

This increase is due to factors such as:

• Open borders

• Free trade

• DEFRA/APHA lacking resources to check imported plants

• An increasing number of plants are being imported (an estimated £1.2 billion per year)

• An increase in plant traders/brokers and ‘virtual nurseries’ that import plants to order and arrange for delivery of the plant material direct to site

• Plants are being imported from Europe and the rest of the world, with a prolific movement and exchange of plant material amongst growers and traders, which makes traceability difficult

Potential Consequences Loss of the UK landscape

All plants and especially trees are very important to the UK landscape and environment. Most people would agree with His Royal Highness King Charles III when he stated; “the future without trees is unthinkable” and “we must find a solution before it’s too late”.

Imported pests and diseases can kill or seriously affect a wide range of our tree species. The result could be a loss of important landscape and woodland trees, wildlife habitats, veteran and ancient trees. All of these trees have irreplaceable aesthetic value and many are hundreds of years old. In urban areas we could lose the valuable ecosystem associated with trees, such as urban cooling, atmospheric particulate removal and surface water run off reduction.

Tree affected by Xylella

Cost

There are significant costs for the removal of diseased trees on highways and public areas, which is necessary on health and safety grounds for local authorities and private landowners. There is an impact on the value of property where amenity trees are removed along with a potential negative impact on local recreation, regional tourism and the visitor economy.

How To Help

Areas of Europe are currently infected with the bacterial disease Xylella fastidiosa which is known to attack a very wide range of species. Fortunately, there has been no detection of Xylella in the UK to date, however the risk of introduction is extremely high.

The financial and ecological impact would be vast and the UK government cannot move quickly enough. Our industry needs to do everything within its power to prevent further pest and diseases (including Xylella) from entering the UK. You can help by:

• Having in place a robust company biosecurity policy

Contact Hillier for our biosecurity policy for specifiers. You can also review this on our website at hillier.co.uk/policies/ biosecurity-policy

Hillier offering reassurance

• Hillier operates a zero tolerance approach to biosecurity and will not import plants that are a host to major pests and diseases from infected areas

• Hillier are holders of three key biosecurity / environmental accreditations:

- ISO14001, Enviromental Management System

- Plant Healthy - Plant Health Management Standard

- Woodland Trust UK & Ireland sown and grown

• We have a robust biosecurity policy which is regularly reviewed and updated (available on our web site)

• The Hillier biosecurity policy

• Awarded the Woodland Trust UKISG accreditation, the only ornamental tree nursery to have successfully completed the Woodland Trusts environmental and biosecurity audit

• Holders of the ISO 14001 environmental accreditation

• All our field grown trees are grown in our own fields for a minimum of 5 years (some up to 25 years!)

• Our container grown stock comes from our own field grown trees, giving the very best biosecurity reassurance

Oak Processionary Moth

Leaves affected by Ash Dieback

Dutch Elm Disease

Hillier operates a zero tolerance approach to biosecurity and will not import plants that are host to major pests and diseases from infected areas.

our expertise

Our Expertise

We are passionate about our trees. When you select trees from Hillier, you get the benefit of:

Hillier Heritage

We are a family business with more than 155 years of horticultural passion and expertise. Our recordbreaking 74 gold medals at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and many books, including the Hillier Manual of Trees and Shrubs, are testament to this. We invest this knowledge and skill into the care for the trees on our field and container nurseries.

British-grown Trees

Buying and planting Britishgrown trees is one of the most significant ways to support biosecurity. Hillier trees can be in our fields for up to 25 years and have originated from our own buds, grafts or seedlings.

British-grown Semi-mature Trees

Hillier is the largest grower of semi–mature trees in the UK. Top quality trees are available in sizes up to 100cm girth and can be supplied all year round, either from the field as rootballs or containerised. Trees can be inspected and selected at our nurseries in Hampshire.

In these times of heightened environmental awareness, the issue of biosecurity and ‘tree miles’ has never been greater and more people than ever want to source their trees from the UK.

Focus on Quality

Our tree heritage, knowledge, attention to detail and horticultural expertise means the trees we grow are of the highest quality. Awards recognising this include AIPH Golden Rose International Grower of the Year and HTA Grower of the Year. Quality trees ensure overall savings for your project, by getting it right first time.

In 2018, Hillier Nurseries joined The Planet Mark. This is a certification programme that recognises companies committing to continuous improvements in sustainability allowing companies to measure and find opportunities to reduce carbon emissions, energy and water consumption, waste, and more.

At Hillier Nurseries we aim to be a leader in good environmental practice, developing a sustainable approach to managing waste, water and its plants. Waste is kept to a minimum throughout the nurseries’ supply chain, and we are proud that our nurseries were one of the first to introduce kerbside recyclable non-black pots in spring 2019, with 99% of black plastic now recycled on-site. Our nurseries are also 85% water self-sufficient through a drainage system in which rainwater and irrigation runoff is collected, filtered, cleaned, treated on sited and used to irrigate crops.

At Hillier we have moved to 100% peat free growing in all our container grown plants. In 2019, we also became the first UK ornamental tree nursery to be accredited with the Woodland Trusts UK Sourced and Grown Assurance Scheme (UKSG), whilst also holding The Plant Healthy certificate and are ISO14001 accredited.

Field Grown Trees

Our field tree production at Hillier Trees takes place at our Andlers Ash nursery, located in Liss, near Petersfield in Hampshire. Across this site, which covers over 800 acres, through our care and expertise we ensure only the highestquality trees for your planting projects. At any one time, you can find 750,000 British-grown trees of around 150 different species in our fields.

Our production of top quality trees begins as it should, with the soil we grow in. Andlers Ash benefits from deep, sandy loam, which encourages the most fibrous root systems to develop through its open structure. This also allows excellent drainage and ease of lifting whilst transplanting our trees. Although this soil structure is outstanding for the production of high-quality trees, it is a hungry soil which requires a careful management cycle. We practice good crop rotation, growing cereal for a year to increase soil fertility, followed by ploughing manure every fourth year and growing green manure crops on fallow fields. This keeps our soil in prime condition.

Phil Hall

Head Grower and Nursery Manager of Hillier Trees

Phil started his growing career at Hillier Trees back in 1988, aged 16. As a horticultural apprentice, he learnt his craft directly under Hillier Trees

Divisional Director Hossein Arshadi, while obtaining his nursery stock qualifications at Merrist Wood College. Phil has assisted with the production of new Hillier cultivars, such as the ‘Streetwise collection’. Now, 34 years on, he is responsible for all 750,000 British-grown trees in production.

Magnolia ‘Galaxy’ flowering on the nursery

Container Grown Trees

Our Broadmead Container Nursery, located next to Hillier head office in Ampfield, Hampshire, allows us to offer all yearround planting of our quality, British-grown trees. There are, on average, 50,000 container trees readily available to supply each year. All of these have been carefully containerised from our field nursery at Andlers Ash. Our container trees provide the highest opportunity for successful establishment in their ultimate destination.

For the past few decades, Hillier Trees has pioneered the containerisation of trees. We have encouraged new developments in container technology, embracing the very best advancements.

Our British-grown container trees start off growing in our fields at Andlers Ash and Hill Farm which cover over 850 acres of land. All of these trees are transplanted multiple times by Hillier experts throughout their production. This continuous transplanting ensures the tree develops a full, fibrous root system and well-developed canopy.

All trees to be containerised are hand-selected by our lead nursery manager, who assesses their readiness. The trees are lifted as bare root or root ball from our fields, then carefully transported to our Broadmead Container Nursery and potted into the right container to allow the tree to root through for a minimum of one growing season. The potting material used in this process is 100% peat free.

Contract Growing

Hillier Trees offers a contract growing service, through which we can containerise stock for your specific projects and requirements.

A major benefit of contract growing is that it allows you to plant trees when you require, regardless of unforeseen delays. It will also help ensure stock has the best possible chance of establishment.

Trees of all sizes can be containerised in pots to suit the site-specific constraints.

We have run many major contract growing projects, including; Olympic Park, London; Commonwealth Games, Glasgow; Bullring Shopping Centre, Birmingham

Martin Hillier

Hillier Director and Manager of Broadmead Container Nursery.

Martin Hillier is part of the fifth Generation of The Hillier family, head of all container production, and Hillier Director. Martin began his career gaining experience and working for Everton Nurseries, Notcutts and Pepinieres Minier. During this time, he obtained his HND Commercial Horticulture certificate from Writtle College. With a wealth of knowledge, Martin joined the company in 1992, where he has strived to produce the finest quality container trees over the past 30 years.

Betula in airpots Hillier Handles

Semi-mature Trees

Hillier is the UK’s Largest Grower of Specimen Trees

Hillier is the foremost nursery for British-grown semi-mature trees, nurturing stock from bud or seedling through to a specimen tree. Hillier has been professionally producing semi-mature trees for longer and to a higher standard than any other nursery in the UK.

The term ‘semi-mature’ tree indicates it has a stem of at least 20-25cm girth. There is no upper limit, so a 90-100cm girth tree is also ‘semi-mature’. Most 20-25cm girth trees will be about 11 or 12 years old and typically 5-6m high depending on variety. 90-100cm girth trees are 25-30 years old.

For trees over 40cm in girth, at Hillier we have a coined an additional category description: ‘super semi-mature’.

Semi-mature trees are the pinnacle of nursery production. All quality growing processes at Hillier lead to the ultimate goal of producing world class trees for world class projects — like the 2012 Olympics and subsequent Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Countless multi-national headquarters, highend residential and commercial developments as well as rural estates have benefitted from Hillier semi-mature trees to create a quality, mature setting, in an instant.

Top Quality Production for Generations

High quality production methods and generations of experience ensure that Hillier semi-mature trees can establish and thrive once planted out in their final home. Hillier semi-mature trees are:

• Transplanted regularly. Key to their success is the frequency that each tree is transplanted during its life on the nursery, which can be up to six times

• Formatively pruned. Each tree is hand pruned in order to form a balanced crown and strong branching structure for the future

• Grown with a balanced root to shoot ratio. Transplanting regularly along with canopy pruning ensures the correct ratio of roots to shoots, which is crucial for healthy establishment

• Produced in the perfect soil. The Hillier field tree nursery at Andlers Ash is blessed with a deep sandy loam that allows trees to produce an abundance of fibrous roots within their rootball

• Full of fibrous roots. A rootball with healthy, fibrous root hairs allows the tree to easily take up moisture and nutrients to feed its leaves and aid establishment

Large tree lifting at Hillier in 1962

Giant tree spade lifting super semi Quercus in 2022

Liquidamber styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’

• Hand selected and home grown. We choose only the best trees to grow on. As these are almost exclusively our own stock, we have full control over quality and provenance

• Correctly spaced. Our specialist semi-mature tree production fields are generously spaced, allowing each tree light and air to develop its crown, stem taper and root development

Stages of Semi-mature Tree Production

Producing properly prepared trees takes time. For 14-16cm girth it takes up to nine years; 20-25cm girth takes 12 years, 30-35cm girth takes up to 15 years and 60-70cm girth up to 22 years depending on species.

The first stage of semi-mature tree production is propagation. This is followed by a continuous cycle of transplanting, pruning and nurturing, producing larger and larger wellbalanced trees that are viable for successful planting out in the trees’ eventual planting destination.

Example semi-mature tree production schedule

Year

1

1-2

1st transplant

Action

Propagation of seeds in seed beds.

Seedlings planted out on 30cm spacings.

Some trees will require the skilful procedure of budding/ grafting of named cultivars at this stage.

12-16

Four times transplanted semi-mature trees are lifted and sold at 20-40cm girth, depending on the species. Formative pruning and nurturing continues.

16

5th transplant

18-22

Trees to be sold as five times transplanted stock are selected and lifted.

Five times transplanted super-semi-mature trees are lifted and sold at 50-70cm girth, depending on species. During this time formative pruning continues.

22

6th transplant

25-28

Trees to be sold as six times transplanted are lifted and re-spaced.

Six times transplanted trees are sold at 80-110cm girth.

Throughout a tree’s life on our nurseries, it is regularly transplanted to keep a viable, compact root system close to the base of the tree in readiness for final lifting.

3-4

4

2nd transplant

5-7

7

3rd transplant

The young trees are trained up bamboo canes to ensure a strong, central leader.

Trees are lifted, root-pruned, head-pruned & planted on larger spacings.

Trees are looked after and maintained to produce a balanced crown.

Trees are lifted, root-pruned and planted on larger spacings.

The third transplant stage is the first time we will sell trees (e.g. at sizes 1016cm girth depending on variety) as either bare-root, root-ball, or send them to our container tree unit to containerise.

This continual transplanting means the customer will receive a tree with a prepared fibrous root system. As well as pruning the roots regularly, the canopy of the tree is also pruned to keep the ratio of roots to shoots in balance thus ensuring a successful transplant at any stage of production. It is important to us that these procedures are a standard for all our nursery-grown trees, whether they are eventually supplied bare-root, root-balled or containerised.

8-11

4th transplant

Trees to be sold as semi-mature will be selected and transplanted again on wider spacing.

They continue to be nurtured and formatively pruned to produce wellproportioned canopies that are in balance with their root systems.

3-4 year old Sorbus Streetwise being grown on to become a semi mature crop 4 x transplanted

Budding takes place July - August

Union is tied together with bio-degradable tie

Field of young trees. These trees are two-three years old

Bare-root lifting, fantastic fibrous root system produced in the sandy loam at Hillier

Budding has to be done at ground level

Formative pruning for a balanced crown in future

Trees are lifted for a third time to keep the roots in check Trees are continually maintained to ensure a balanced crown and correct ratio of crown to root system

One year after budding. Trees being trained for a straight stem

Continual caning and tying provides a straight leader. These trees are about six years old

Incision made on the rootstock plant which had been transplanted from the seed beds the previous winter

The bud insert and the rootstock incision must match exactly

our expertise - stages of tree production

Trees are regularly inspected for quality. These trees have reached the semi-mature stage around 12 years old

The trees are rootballed using biodegradable hessian and ungalvanised wire cages

The container is then back filled with peat-free compost. The irrigation is set up using a spaghetti system

Mid-way through the season, the roots are putting on good growth

The rootballed trees are loaded on to trailers in the field

The newly potted trees are all containerised while dormant and ready for the spring

By the end of the growing season the spring-rings have established a network of fibrous roots

The trees are set out in rows and secured by post and rail. The airpot or spring ring is put round the rootball

The trees leaf out in spring

The usual nursery care is continued after containerisation

At least a season before the trees are required, they need to be lifted from the field in dormancy

Care is taken as a slight slip could damage a tree that has had years of investment put in to it

Streetwise Range

The award-winning ‘Streetwise’ range of trees from Hillier are named cultivars that have been selected by us as having suitable characteristics for harsh urban environments.

Hillier has had a long tradition of introducing new plants, either by breeding, collecting seed or from clonal selections. Examples of our historic tree introductions are Betula utilis ‘Jermyns’, Prunus ‘Spire’, Sorbus ‘Sunshine’, Prunus ‘Snow Goose’ and Sorbus commixta ‘Embley’.

The growers at Hillier studied the form of trees on the nursery and how they developed as they matured. As a result, key trees from popular species were identified as having perfect characteristics to withstand urban conditions whilst maintaining a sensible form for the street environment.

Clonal Selection

In order to replicate the characteristics of these ‘perfect’ street trees, propagation material was taken from the mother trees. This allowed the cultivation of new trees that were exactly the same as the parent tree through vegetative propagation. This development process — identifying the trees and then propagating them in commercially viable numbers — has taken two generations of nursery directors – formerly John Woodhead, and for the last 20 years by Hossein Arshadi. Their labours have well and truly borne fruit. Six new cultivars were named by Hillier and the ‘Streetwise’ range was born. These trees are recognised as being the best within their species for growing in urban locations as they are extremely hardy, respond well to pruning, excel in their species characteristics and keep robust shapes into maturity. Hillier Nurseries was awarded Grower of the Year in recognition of their work on this range in 2005.

The Streetwise Range

Acer campestre ‘Streetwise’

This is a superb neat form of Acer campestre with a dominant central leader and balanced crown. It offers brilliant autumn colour and is ideal for commercial and urban developments. This tree tolerates all soil types and is very hardy.

Key characteristics

• Very hardy

• Responds well to pruning

• Good autumn colour

• Keeps its shape into maturity

Carpinus betulus ‘Streetwise’

A large tree, similar in habit to Acer campestre ‘Streetwise’. Its unusual ‘textured’ leaf is fairly distinctive and the autumn colour is striking orange-yellow. This tree should be specified when a very uniformshaped Carpinus betulus is required.

Key characteristics

• Uniform shape

• Excellent autumn colour

• Very textured leaf

• Very hardy

Hippophae salicifolia

‘Streetwise’

A medium-sized tree with linear habit. It was propagated from ‘freak’ upright branches from a form of the species growing as a multi-stem in the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. As a standard tree it is majestic with a light airy feel and olive-like foliage.

Key characteristics

• Green-grey foliage

• Very salt-tolerant (highways and coastal locations)

• Light airy habit

• Very hardy

Sorbus aucuparia ‘Streetwise’

A strong-growing clonal selection of Sorbus aucuparia with a very neat upright habit. This is a very free-fruiting tree, producing an abundance of bright orange berries.

Key characteristics

• Very upright

• Small

• Orange-red berries

• Hardy

The Hillier ethos has always been to provide plants of exceptionally high-quality to anyone with a shared passion for horticulture.

After more than 40 years, Hossein Arshadi, Director retired in January 2022. As a champion of biosecurity, Hossein worked tirelessly to advance the industry to protect the natural environment. Hossein developed Hillier to become the largest tree nursery in the UK and established our field tree nursery, producing the finest award winning semi mature trees. He also developed the container tree nursery and helped to pioneer the container tree revolution.

Hossein`s commitment to Hillier has been the work of a lifetime and the immaculate commercial nursery that we have today is due to his focus and horticultural skill. Hossein built a strong team around him and he selected the experienced nurseryman Adam Dunnett (Director) to take Hillier forward to the next stage. Adam is backed up by the strongest senior management team; Martin Hillier (Director and Container Trees Manager), Phil Hall (Field Trees Manager) and Gareth Ashenhurst (Sales Manager).

Tilia cordata ‘Streetwise’

This tree is similar in habit and ultimate height to Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’ but much faster growing with a superb neat habit. A very strong growing, consistent performing tree that is ideal for the toughest of urban situations.

Key characteristics

• Medium/large

• Neat uniform habit

• Fast growing

• Very hardy

Tilia platyphyllos ‘Streetwise’

A large tree with an upright habit and dark glossy leaf. It offers outstanding red winter shoot colour. This striking tree is ideal for wide avenues and the toughest urban situations.

Key characteristics

• Large

• Upright habit

• Red winter shoots

• Very hardy

Hossein Arshadi - Retired Hillier Amenity Trees Director

Hillier Trees A-Z Listing

Explore our complete range of top-quality, British-grown trees from Acer to Zelkova. With clear, concise information it is easier than ever to find the perfect trees for your project.

Acer campestre

Field Maple Size: Medium

This native tree is an important food source for many insects and birds. Its leaves are dark green turning to striking clear yellow in autumn. The bark is fissured with a slightly corky texture giving an additional element of interest. Its winged helicopter-like seeds are similar to most maples. Yellow-green upright clusters of flowers emerge in spring. It will happily embrace our coastal areas and is a lovely tree for natural or rural planting.

Speciality:

Acer campestre ‘Elsrijk’

Size: Medium

A very popular street and avenue tree for its tight, uniformed appearance. Dark green leaves during the summer develop into the classic autumn display of golden butterscotch associated with field maple.

Speciality:

Size After:

Acer campestre ‘Queen Elizabeth’

Size: Medium

An American cultivar which has larger, darker green leaves and a more upright habit than the seedling parent. Better for verges and hard standing areas.

Speciality:

Size After:

Acer campestre ‘Streetwise’

Size: Medium

Understanding the many benefits our native trees can provide, Hossein Arshadi continued the Hillier tradition of cultivating new trees, and set about creating the ‘Streetwise’ selection. This tree is exceptionally hardy, responding well to pruning. Its upright, consistent canopy is ideal for locations with vehicle and pedestrian traffic, including car parks, central reservations and pathways. It is tolerant of all soil types, resistant to periods of drought and water-logging. A very valuable tree for bees and butterflies.

Speciality:

Acer campestre ‘William Caldwell’

Size: Medium

Discovered by Donovan Caldwell Leaman, the lead grower at William Caldwell Nursery in Cheshire, in 1976. Unusual, fastigiate form with orange-red autumn colours.

Acer cappadocicum ‘Rubrum’

Red Cappadocian Maple

Size: Medium

This striking tree has red young leaves. The leaves then turn light green until autumn when they become a rich butter-yellow. This maple prefers a sheltered position, moist but well-drained soil will be best and for the finest foliage colour, full sun is ideal.

Acer davidii

Snakebark Maple

Size: Small

Père David’s maple is one of the most striking Snakebark maples, with attractive green and white striped bark. Beautiful autumn colour.

Acer davidii ‘George Forrest’

Snakebark Maple

Size: Small

This acer variety takes its name from George Forrest, the Scottish botanist who collected the original seeds in 1921. Its attractive green and white striped bark complements the darkgreen leaves with rhubarb-red stalks, which turn fiery orange in autumn.

A. ‘George Forrest’ forms a slightly spreading tree with arching branches and a loose attractive canopy.

Speciality:

Size After:

Acer x freemanii ‘Armstrong’

Size: Large

This is an ideal tree for urban locations and roadside planting where space is limited, as the tall, narrow tree canopy retains a slim width. The emerald-green leaves have a silver-blue underside. It goes on to offer an eye-catching display of autumn colours - golden yellow and vivid ruby reds. This is a natural hybrid that has the autumn beauty of Acer rubrum and toughness of Acer saccharinum.

Speciality:

Size After:

Acer x freemanii Autumn Blaze

Size: Medium

Hybrid between Acer rubrum (red maple) and Acer saccharinum (silver maple). Tough and resilient like the silver maple, with the grace, beauty and vibrant autumn colour of the red maple. Lovely tree, very uniform with compact headshape. Dark green leaves, silver underside with superb gold, crimson and purple autumn colour early in the season.

Speciality:

Size After:

Acer griseum

Paperbark Maple

Size: Small

An attractive small tree which has very decorative mahogany bark which peels in papery strips in the summer and attractively holds on the tree. During autumn its leaves are spectacular shades of red. A slow-growing but spectacular tree. Hillier continues to pioneer the production of this tree in our Britishgrown field nursery.

Speciality:

Size After:

Acer lobelii

Lobel’s Maple

Size: Medium

A naturally fastigiate form. This allows for use within tighter urban locations. It establishes extremely well in areas of hard surfacing.

Acer palmatum ‘Red

Japanese Maple

Size: Small

Wings’

A beautiful Japanese maple. Stunning yellow-orange autumn tints turning red. The keys are bright red which contrast well with the lush green summer leaves.

Acer platanoides

Norway Maple

Size: Large

Good tree for natural or rural planting. Outstanding lime-green flowers develop in the spring. The leaves are bright green with superb orange-yellow autumn colour.

Acer platanoides ‘Columnare’

Size: Large

Speciality:

Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’

Size: Medium

Deep crimson leaves. Produces saffron coloured flowers as the leaves unfold. The autumn leaves ignite into oranges and molten browns. A large tree that will have impact on its surroundings.

Speciality:

Acer platanoides ‘Crimson Sentry’

Size: Medium

A narrow canopy which is columnar in shape with upright branches. Its leaves emerge a bright red in the spring, which darken to a reddish-purple.

This columnar tree is very suitable for narrow avenues or where space is limited and a large structural tree is required. Superb golden-yellow autumn colour. Speciality:

Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’

Size: Medium

Exceptional in urban locations, endures reflected heat, quite drought tolerant and resilient to pollution. The tree dramatically changes leaf colour three times in the growing season.

Speciality:

Acer platanoides ‘Emerald Queen’

Size: Large

Large structure tree, thrives in most situations, it has become a firm favourite for inner city planting. Leaves are a fresh lime-green during the summer. Exceptional golden yellow autumn colour.

Speciality:

Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’

Size: Small

This variety has a particularly tight globe shaped crown. The mop-head is dense and uniform without the need for pruning. A tough tolerant urban tree.

Speciality:

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold

Size: Medium

Yellow spring flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees. A golden leaved form, suitable for locations if sun scorch or reflected heat are an issue. In late summer the gold leaves turn olive-green.

Acer pseudoplatanus

Sycamore

Size: Large

A tree that is able to survive and thrive in almost all conditions. It is particularly useful as a coastal tree, capable of tolerating salt winds and exposure.

Acer pseudoplatanus ‘Erectum’

Size: Medium / Large

Establishes well in nearly all soil types. Tolerates numerous harsh conditions such as exposed maritime winds and urban pollutions. Erect branches when young, broadening with age.

Acer rubrum

Red Maple

Size: Large

Leaves dark green above, glaucous beneath, turning rich red-scarlet in autumn. Small red flowers emerge before the leaves unfurl.

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Acer rubrum ‘Karpick’

Size: Medium

Distinctive bright green leaves with blue-green undersides. The stalks to the leaves are deep crimson red, standing out amongst the dense crown. Amazing autumn colour.

Speciality:

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Speciality: 15 Years

Years

Acer rubrum ‘October Glory’

Size: Large

A. ‘October Glory’ produces leaves in spring that open a dark emerald-green, with a blue lagoon underside. In autumn, this tree puts on an outstanding display that very few species can rival. The exceptional, long-lasting autumn colour produces the most fantastic display of candy apple reds, saffron and golden-yellows. The flowers are crimson on bare branches. This is a very hardy variety of red maple tree that suits all soil types that are well-drained or moist and well-drained and is happy in either sun or partial shade.

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Acer tataricum subsp. ginnala

Amur Maple

Size: Small

Named after the Tatar peoples of southern Russia. The red keys contrast well with the 3-lobed green leaves. In autumn the glossy green leaves develop into beautiful shades of red, yellow and orange. A very hardy plant, resistant to pollution, drought and salt.

Speciality:

Aesculus x carnea

‘Briotii’

Red Horse Chestnut

Size: Medium / Large

Size After: Size After:

6m 7m 3m 3m 5m 5m 8m 10m 6.5m 8m 8m 12m A Stem /Bark Spring Flowering Park Tree Fruiting Street Tree Medium Urban

Compact form of A. x carnea selected for the red flowers produced middle to end of May. Fruits rarely produced. Slow growing and very tolerant of industrial pollution, an excellent ornamental tree. The blood-red flowers which are larger than the species, do not appear until the tree is 8-10 years old.

15 Years Wet Soil Tolerance High Dry Soil Tolerance Medium

15 50 Years 50 Years Wet Soil Tolerance High

Dry Soil Tolerance High Lime Tolerance High

Lime Tolerance High

Aesculus hippocastanum ‘Baumannii’

Size: Large

A large tree that does not produce conkers and therefore is more suitable than A.hippocastanum in car parks. The double white flowers are longer lasting than A.hippocastanum and make for a grand display in the spring. Thrives on any free draining soil. Recognised for its outstanding constitution and attractive looks, Horse Chestnut Baumannii is also a recipient of the Award of Garden Merit by Royal Horticultural Society.

Speciality:

Aesculus indica

Indian Horse Chestnut

Size: Large

The Indian Horse Chestnut is a magnificent tree with deep cut leaves and a profusion of white flowers which are a treasure for bees in the summer. The young leaves produced in the spring are bronze tinged. The mid-soft green leaves turn a lovely orange and yellow colour in autumn. This is a fine tree with smooth, fruit shells (without spines).It thrives when grown on chalk.

Alnus cordata

Italian Alder Size: Medium

Alnus cordata commonly named the Italian Alder. Fast growing conical form. It is extremely tolerant of poor soil conditions and, unlike most Alders, it tolerates dry sites well and will grow swiftly in difficult exposed locations with strong winds. Bright glossy green foliage with bright greenish-yellow pendulous catkins 75mm long which appear as soon as winter ends. Italian Alder earned the Award of Garden Merit by Royal Horticultural Society and it has been successfully grown in Britain since its introduction in 1820.

Speciality:

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15 Years 25 Years 50 Years

Alnus glutinosa

Common Alder

Size: Small / Medium

This native tree is particularly suited for wet clay areas prone to waterlogging. It is also an ideal selection for roundabouts where salt spreading may cause problems and provides an early food source for birds. Greenishyellow catkins are a decrotive feature in March. The catkins harden into woody cones with winged seeds, that offer interest throughout the year, including the following winter. The bark is dark brown with fissured striping and the glossy green leaves fall in October-November.

Speciality:

Alnus glutinosa ‘Laciniata’

Size: Medium

This graceful tree has a smaller conical canopy than its parent. Its finely cut foliage sways on its slightly weeping twigs, providing a delicate ornamental feature to the landscape. The leaves remain on the tree late into the autumn, providing lasting shades of green against the winter sun. It happily grows within our urban locations, tolerating compaction, salt and air pollution. It also thrives within wet, clay conditions which are regularly waterlogged for weeks at a time and is resistant to wind.

Speciality:

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Alnus incana

Grey Alder

Size: Medium

New twigs are brown, with developed branches being smooth and grey as per its name. This tree tolerates poor soil enviroments and thrives within wet conditions which are regularly waterlogged. It needs plenty of light and is particularly fast growing. Ultimately, it will grow to be a medium size tree developing into a rough pyramidal form. Although it grows a little irregularly, it remains compact.

Speciality:

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Amelanchier lamarckii ‘Robin Hill’

Size: Small

This compact tree has a narrow crown and, in spring, flowers open with pink buds bursting into brilliant swirls of white stars which adorn its branches. The leaves unfold a bronzed sandstone, developing into emerald green during the summer. In autumn these melt into yellows and golds, further developing into fiery orange with red tinges. It was selected and grown by William Smith at the Robin Hill arboretum in New York during the 1960s and is a particularly hardy form of amelanchier.

Speciality:

Amelanchier lamarckii

Snowy Mespilus

Size: Small

Wonderful as a multistem. The snowy mespilus has white blossom in early spring and amazing red autumn colour. High amenity value for birds and bees alike.

Speciality:

Betula albosinensis

Size: Medium

Designers will particularly enjoy the stunning winter bark with contrasts of pinks and cinnamon. A sophisticated alternative to the striking white of the Himalayan birch.

Speciality:

Betula albosinensis ‘China Ruby’

Size: Medium

B. ‘China Ruby’ offers the deepest bark colour of all red birch species. Male catkins appear with a warming honey colour in early spring. These grow to over 10cm long and are an invaluable early food source for wildlife.

Speciality:

Betula albosinensis ‘Fascination’

Size: Medium

The branches of this tree are ascending, with a uniformed, pyramidal canopy, making it ideal for urban locations and car parks. Its lush green leaves are the darkest of all Betula, providing a dense sheltered canopy perfect for summer screening and dappled shade. During spring, the dark leaves help exhibit its larger 15cms long catkins which hang in the wind like lamb’s tails. Its attractive peeling bark with creamy pinks and copper matures to a brilliant white.

Speciality:

Betula albosinensis ‘Red Panda’

Size: Medium

This superb, strong-growing, conical, upright tree offers attractive early peeling bark, coppery-pink in colour. Dark green leaves turn an attractive buttery-yellow in autumn, followed by hanging catkins in the spring. This stunning cultivar has become a favourite at Hillier Trees. It is ideal for sunny locations that help fully exhibit its wonderful bark. This adaptable tree will succeed in most soil types. It tolerates chalk soils, although will not reach a maximum size in these conditions.

Betula ermanii

Erman’s Birch

Size: Medium

Erman’s Birch is a graceful, vigorous tree with attractive creamy bark which peels in shaggy papery sheets. Its catkins are more golden than B. pendula. Its coarsely toothed, conspicuously veined ovate leaves turn bright yellow in autumn. Initially, this is an upright tree, but it broadens with age. This is an excellent tree for open spaces and avenues.

Betula lenta

Sweet Birch

Size: Medium

This is one of the finest birches for ornamental use with stunning goldenyellow autumn colour. It has aromatic foliage and bark which smells of wintergreen if crushed - in the past, oil of wintergreen was distilled from the wood. The dark brown bark on mature trees resembles black cherry.

Speciality: Speciality:

Betula nigra

River Birch

Size: Medium

Betula nigra is a fast growing tree with distinct pinkish-orange shaggy bark. Its catkins are wind pollinated and reach up to 6cm in length. Uniquely for birch, the catkins mature in late spring, offering yellow colour against the green leaves This is a very tolerant tree and a good choice for locations surrounded by buildings which reflect high concentrations of heat. It also thrives in sites prone to extreme water-logging, and can tolerate poor soil structures such as clay.

Speciality:

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Betula papyrifera var. kenaica

Paper Birch

Size: Medium

Strong vigorous tree with dark green leaves which are not susceptible to ‘rust’ attack. Fantastic and unusual bark colour which is mahogany brown on the twigs, down to orange and then creamy-white on the stem. One of the best birch for autumn colour. A first-class birch deserving wider use.

Speciality:

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Betula pendula

Silver Birch

Size: Medium

This native trees canopy gently weeps with pendulous grace that softly sways in the wind. Its leaves provide dappled shade, making it ideal for providing cooling shadow, but keeping the area light and clear underneath the canopy. The attractive white bark develops dark cracks and plates as it matures. Great for wildlife, reportedly supporting over 300 different species of insects and birds.

Speciality:

Size After:

15

Betula pendula fastigiata ‘Obelisk’

Size: Medium

Speciality:

Betula pendula ‘Zwisters Glory’

Size: Medium

Similar to Silver Birch, but far more pyramidal and uniformed with branches that are 45 degrees to the single central stem. Becoming a designers favourite.

Speciality:

Betula pubescens

Downy Birch

Size: Medium

Leaves are more rounded the Betula pendula, with downy white hairs which grow on the underside of the leaf and the stalk, hence its common name.

Columnar habit which does not broaden with age. Useful tree for tight spaces as the width of the tree will only ever reach 2-2.5m wide. Speciality:

Betula szechuanica

Size: Medium

A vigorous birch which maintains a conical, pyramidal canopy into maturity. It can reach heights of 20m whilst retaining an airy open 5m width. Chalk white bark. Orginated from Western China and southern - East Tibet. Its foliage is glossy blue-green with good yellow autumn colour. Yellow-green male catkins or green female catkins.

Speciality:

Betula x ‘Edinburgh’

Size: Medium

A cross between Betula utilis and Betula albosinensis, which was discovered in the Edinburgh Botanical Gardens. The original tree is now over 50 years old and is approximately 40ft high by 10-15ft wide. Because of its upright, tighter canopy, it is ideal for urban areas. It is vigorous with excellent white bark. A hardy tree that establishes in most soils types including chalk or clay. Will tolerate dry conditions and prefers an acidic soil.

Speciality:

Size After: Size After:

Stem /Bark

Stem /Bark

Narrow Urban

Carpark Tree Carpark Tree

Betula utilis var. jacquemontii

Himalayan Birch Size: Medium

A lovely tree with wonderful white bark and neat habit. A great ‘winter interest’ tree with white peeling bark and 12cm catkins. The leaves have pale undersides, which causes the tree to shimmer with the breeze as you relax underneath looking up. During the autumn, the leaves melt to buttery yellow, and fall a deep toffee colour. In some countries, they still produce this plant from seed, which does not give consistent colour. Hillier Nurseries pioneered the grafting of this tree to give consistent bark colour.

Speciality:

Betula utilis ‘Jermyns’

Size: Medium

A popular and vigorous ornamental birch with an open canopy and almost shimmering, glistening white bark. This stunning form originally caught the eye of Sir Harold Hillier whilst he was walking amongst the Betula jacquemontii in his garden in the 1960s. He admired the dramatic long catkins which hung 20cm in length, and the large leaves. This beautiful selection was named after his house ‘Jermyns’ which is now part of the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens.

Speciality:

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15 Years 25 Years

Carpinus betulus

Common Hornbeam

Size: Large

A British native tree, thrives on heavy soils, including those over chalk. Leaves appear vibrant with a lime-green colour in spring, the leaves are deeply veined and ribbed. During the autumn the canopy becomes a golden yellow with hues of butterscotch treacle. Attractive catkins appear in April/ May. Carpinus responds well to clipping and when clipped regularly the leaves, now brown will remain on the branches well into winter. Ideal for pleaching, cubes, panels or hedging.

Speciality:

Carpinus betulus ‘Albert Beeckman’

Size: Medium

12m

Size: Medium

Speciality: 15 Years

Size After:

7m

Size After: 6m

7m 2.5m

Speciality: 15 Years

Size: Medium

Autumn Colour Autumn Colour Autumn Colour

3m

Wet Soil Tolerance High

3m 2.5m

Avenue Tree Pollution Tolerant Narrow Urban

9m

15 Years 25 Years

Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’

A neat upright habit broadening with age to a globular head. Good yellow autumn colour and attractive smooth greygreen bark.

3m

25 Years

10m 11m

Carpark Tree Avenue Tree Carpark Tree

4m 3m

8m 9m

12m

Carpinus betulus ‘Lucas’

25 Years 50 Years

10m

50 Years

50 Years Wet Soil Tolerance High

Dry Soil Tolerance High

Wet Soil Tolerance High Dry Soil Tolerance High

Lime Tolerance Medium

Crisp cocoa coloured leaves held well into February. Its 3m width is fantastic for narrow streets and tight public spaces. Ideal for designers, providing a clean architectural look.

Lime Tolerance Medium Size After:

Dry Soil Tolerance High Lime Tolerance Medium

Available as a Semi-Mature Available as a Super Semi-Mature Available as a Semi-Mature Available as a Semi-Mature

Carpinus betulus ‘Streetwise’

Size: Medium / Large

Introduced by Hillier Director Hossein Arshadi who was selecting more upright cultivars of our native trees to work within urban environments. Neat upright habit with unusual textured leaf. Lovely autumn colour of golden amber marmalade that lasts long into winter. The keys are noticeably larger. Perfect for tight urban locations such as roads or carparks. A very useful and attractive structural tree with a neat canopy.

Speciality:

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Castanea sativa

Sweet Chestnut

Size: Large

A large ornamental tree ideal for parklands or avenues. Its dense heavy trunk twists as it develops, creating deep fissures which spiral into the bark. A very long lived tree (up to 700 years), extremely valuable to wildlife. Trees bear fruit at about 25 years old. The red-brown fruit are protected by bright green spiky cases and are the classic chestnut for roasting at Christmas.

Speciality:

Castanea sativa ‘Aureomarginata’

Size: Medium / Large

Variegated glossy green leaves with fantastic pale yellow serrated edges. In autumn they melt in shades of butter yellow and golden bronze before they fall. Conspicuous yellow catkins are followed by spiny fruit and nuts are produced in a very hot summer.

Speciality:

Cedrus atlantica Glauca

Blue Atlas Cedar

Size: Large

Dazzling silver blue foliage envelope its branches. It enjoys open positions with full sun and a well drained soil. Mainly used as a parkland tree.

Speciality:

Cedrus deodara

Size: Large

Graceful tree, lateral branches and drooping tips becoming more layered with age. Will reach 80m in its natural warmer habitat, but in the UK around 25m.

Speciality:

Cedrus deodara ‘Aurea’

Size: Large

Introduced in 1831 by the Hon. Leslie Melville. New shoots covering the tree are a lighter, vibrant yellow suggesting a beautiful appearance of summer rain.

Speciality:

Cercidiphyllum japonicum

Katsura Tree

Size: Small

Lovingly known as the candyfloss tree, due to the sweet pleasant aroma from its fallen leaves, which are heart shaped and turn fiery oranges and pinks in autumn.

Corylus avellana

Hazel

Size: Small

Native, large shrub or small tree, grown as a multi-stem. Rounded leaves turn yellow in autumn and edible nuts appear. In early spring yellow male catkins form.

Corylus colurna

Turkish Hazel

Size: Large

Great for estates and parks as well as urban locations. Tolerant of drought and water-logging. A tree of very symmetrical pyramidal form and distinctive creamy-white bark in winter.

Crataegus laevigata ‘Paul’s Scarlet’

Size: Small

From the Paul brothers who were known for their Victorian roses. It is a resilient tree, thriving in nearly all locations. It has a fantastic flower display in May with striking double scarlet flowers. A tough, reliable and highly ornamental tree.

Crataegus monogyna

Common Hawthorn

Size: Small

Native tree with a tight, dense canopy that offers exceptional interest across all the seasons. A valuable tree for nesting birds. Lovely in full flower in May.

Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’

Size: Small

A small tree which attracts birds, bees and wildlife due to its white flowers in May-June, and persistent showy orange-red fruits. Stunning autumn colour.

Euonymus

europaeus ‘Red Cascade’

Size: Small

Red-pink fruits open to reveal bright orange seeds. Fantastic autumn display, green leaves turning into rich red. Provides a stunning display all year round.

Speciality:

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Fagus sylvatica

Common Beech

Size: Large

A very large native majestic tree with smooth silvery-grey bark and a low branched habit. Fantastic copperygolden foliage in autumn which few trees can surpass. A fantastic woodland tree which is highly valued by wildlife. Beech nuts (known as beech mast) are produced in autumn and as the tree matures the crop of Beech mast will increase.

Speciality:

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’

Size: Large

Speciality:

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Gold’

Size: Medium / Large

It is thought that Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyk’ was crossed with Fagus sylvatica ‘Zlatia’ to produce ‘Dawyck Gold’. Golden leaves look breath taking and spectacularly eye catching. The trees has inconspicuous flowers which are followed by small nuts in the autumn. A great specimen tree.

Discovered within the Dawyck estate in Peeblesshire, Scotland. Narrow tree never becoming more than 3m wide. Buds unfold lemon green turning to glossy green. In autumn the leaves turn orange-brown. Speciality:

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple’

Size: Medium / Large

Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck Purple’ originated from the Trompenburg Arboretum in Holland. The buds unfurl to crimson red leaves which brighten to a vibrant shade of purple. A great specimen tree but also striking when used as a small group or avenue. This species maintains its striking columnare habit and rich and vibrant purple leaf colour into maturity.

Speciality:

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Fagus sylvatica var. heterophylla ‘Aspleniifolia’

Fern-leaved Beech

Size: Medium

A cut-leaved cultivar whose leaves are feathery light and slender. These are lusciously green, becoming orange-brown in the autumn. The tree is pyramidal when young and develops a broadspreading open canopy into maturity. One of the most effective of large ornamental trees. An excellent choice for parkland or a feature tree.

Speciality:

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Fagus sylvatica ‘Pendula’

Weeping Beech

Size: Large

Introduced by George Loddiges from his nursery near London in 1836. A large, graceful tree which is characterised by its sweeping pendula shape. Although slowgrowing, in maturity it displays strong branches cascading downwards, weeping into the landscape with small-leaved graceful branch-lets. This tree can sometimes be seen in the great parks and ancient cemeteries. One to plant for future generations where you have space - a rather special tree.

Speciality:

Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’

Purple Beech

Size: Large

A very striking tree with relatively deep dark red leaves throughout the summer. Wonderful red-brown foliage in autumn. The smooth silver bark colour which runs through to the branches and provides a fantastic contrast to its stunning purple foliage. Ideal as a solitary specimen or parkland tree, where it will develop a wide and deep canopy that may touch the ground. Amazing avenue trees where they will grow more upright with a strong central canopy.

Speciality:

Ginkgo biloba

Maidenhair Tree

Size: Medium / Large

The national tree of China. Its unique fan shaped leaf catches the slightest summer breeze, calmly fluttering along its branches. The name biloba means two-lobed referring to the leaf shape. Stunning gold, saffron-yellow foliage in autumn. Known as a ‘living fossil’, the Ginkgo biloba is one of the world’s oldest living tree species. An excellent, tough tree, well suited to urban situations and resistant to pests, disease and pollution, making it a favourite with designers worldwide.

Speciality: 15 Years

Size After:

Gleditsia triacanthos ‘Skyline’

Size: Medium

Whilst growing 10,000 seedlings on his nursey in Painesville, Ohio; Barrett Cole noticed one with a strong central leader with ascending branches and a dense compact foliage. This makes Skyline a good urban tree that copes well with reflected heat from pavements and buildings. It was also thornless and rarely developed any of the undesirable gummy seedpods. Barrett cultivated this form, patenting it as Skyline in 1957 for commercial production. Outstanding autumn colour.

Speciality:

Hippophae salicifolia ‘Streetwise’

Size: Medium

A Hillier cultivation, part of our Streetwise range created by Director Hossein Arshadi over 20 years ago. This standard tree with a central leader tolerates many urban issues including pollution and salt spreading. It has been used successfully in difficult locations throughout London and on the coast. It holds its columnar shape through maturity, not exceeding the narrow width of 4-5m. The leaves open a fresh subtle green, with an almost white underside. The bright orange fruit develops in October.

Speciality:

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15 Years 25 Years 50 Years

Ilex x altaclerensis ‘James G. Esson’

Size: Small

Soft rounded leaves which are almost spineless and without points. The bright red berries against the softer green leaves appear lush and healthy.

Ilex aquifolium ‘Marijo’

Size: Small

A good, green-leaved Ilex,with a strong form, which means it will develop into a small tree, originating from Pennsylvania in 1964. The ornamental fruit is attractive and larger than usual, providing many benefits for wildlife.

Ilex x koehneana ‘Chestnut Leaf’

Size: Small

A cross between Ilex aquifolium and Ilex latifolia. The elongated and spiky leaves are similar to the sweet chestnut. Evergreen, perfect for screening. A medium tree of conical habit.

Juglans nigra

Black Walnut

Size: Large

Fast growing with a round spreading head, furrowed bark, and pinnate leaves. Superb avenue tree where space allows. Walnut trees tolerate most soils.

Juglans regia

Common Walnut

Size: Medium / Large

Rounded tree with pinnate leaves and fruit in autumn. Walnuts are produced when the tree is about 15 years old. Any well-drained soil, good in an urban area.

Koelreuteria paniculata

Pride of India or Golden Rain Tree

Size: Small / Medium

Clusters of small yellow flowers produced in July and August are followed by lantern shaped fruits in the autumn. Good in urban locations, stunning autumn display.

Liquidamber styraciflua

Sweetgum

Size: Large

As summer closes the beautiful maplelike foliage develops a beautiful display of crimson reds, marmalade oranges and amber golds. On favourably moist sites in full sun, the colours intensify further into neon purple and fluorescent reds. In winter the attractive, corky-bark is very evident and the straight trunk and strong form make it one of the most valuable ornamental urban trees. These trees will bring life and seasonal interest to an urban square or create an awesome avenue.

Speciality:

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Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Lane Roberts’

Size: Medium / Large

Hillier cultivar named after Dr. Lane Roberts, a friend of Sir Harold Hillier. Slightly smaller than its parent, its pyramidal form is uniform with a central leader. In late spring the leaves open a healthy vivid green and they are noticeably larger than its parent, further enhancing the canopy features. In autumn its leaves eclipse into almost black shades of crimson purple and Bordeaux red. It exhibits the most consistent autumn display of all Liquidambers.

Speciality:

Size After:

Liquidamber styraciflua

‘Slender Silhouette’

Size: Medium

Originally found by Don Shadow of Shadow Nurseries in Tennessee, who specialises in new and useful plants. Acutely columnar form of the Liquidamber, its branches and thin twigs grow vertically straight up in a tightly closed canopy. Its height in relation to width is roughly 5m to 1m. Fabulous autumn colour. This is a very useful species when you need an ornamental tree but space is tight. Also fantastic in association with buildings, such as HQ entrances, courtyards or even a sculptural garden/estate feature.

Speciality:

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Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Worplesdon’

Size: Medium

Selected by Rowland Jackman of the famous Clematis Jackmans on the Worplesdon nursery just outside of Surrey. Enjoying the autumn display of the Liquidambar, Rowland wanted a more site forgiving cultivar that would increase the reliability of its fantastic colours. The Worplesdon is particularly suited to the erratic UK climate, being more tolerant of cold and excessive rainfall. Its narrow form broadens with age but remains more slender than the species. The leaves are even deeper lobed, with beautiful fingerlike foliage. These open a vivid healthy green for the spring and summer months. As summer closes they deepen into the most beautiful display of crimson reds, apricot orange and marmalade golds. This autumn colour is more reliable and tolerant of site conditions than the standard species of L.styraciflua. On favourable sites with full sun and acidic soil, the shades intensify even further into neon purple and fluorescent reds.

Speciality:

Liriodendron tulipifera

Tulip Tree

Size: Large

Distinctively shaped leaves which turn a lovely butter-yellow in autumn. In early summer it produces a truly beautiful tulip shaped yellowish-green flowers. First class avenue tree given space.

Magnolia Galaxy

Size: Medium

Hybrid between Magnolia liliiflora ‘Nigra’and Magnolia sprengeri ‘Diva’. Fragrant flowers, shades of candyfloss pink and purple, develop in late spring so are less likely to receive frost damage.

Magnolia grandiflora

Evergreen Magnolia

Size: Medium

‘Ferruginea’

Evergreen tree. The large, lemon scented lily-cup flowers of creamy white. A form of erect compact habit. Leaves dark green above, rusty colour beneath.

Magnolia kobus

Size: Small

Brought to England by the plant collector Charles Maries in 1879 who explored Japanese woodlands for the world famous Veitch Nurseries. Vigorous tree with an upright pyramidal form whilst young, making it an excellent street tree. As it matures the branches spread a little further out, opening its canopy. In early spring it produces beautiful creamy white flowers. This is a very neat tree, great as a street tree and looks amazing as a little avenue where the white fragrant flowers can be fully appreciated.

Speciality:

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15 Years 25 Years 50 Years

Malus ‘Adirondack’

Size: Small

Introduced by Donald R Egolf at the US National Arboretum as a good upright variety with resistance to fire blight, scab, powdery mildew and cedar apple rust.

Speciality: 2m

Size: Small

Available as a Multi-Stem Available as a Semi-Mature Spring Flowering

After: 3m

Speciality: 3.5m 6m

Size: Small

After: 2m 4m

Spring Flowering Spring Flowering Medium Urban

6m 8m

7m

Malus Freja

After: 2.5m 5m

Gardens/ Housing Gardens/ Housing

Malus ‘Comtesse de Paris’

This fantastic pollinator has a uniformed, tidy canopy. Its abundance of yellow fresh fruit is slightly pointed, almost looking like mini lemons and remain on the tree through the winter offering a good food source to birds. It has a high disease resistance, ensuring the white blossom against the clean green leaves is never spoiled.

8m

Fruiting Fruiting Gardens/ Housing

7m 10m

3m 6m

5m

Malus ‘Evereste’

Size: Small

Profusely flowering Malus providing colour and interest to dull urban locations. Tolerant of city pollution, whilst being notably resistant to disease. The flowers are a favourite amongst bees, providing pollination to surrounding apple trees in the area. During the autumn, M. Evereste provides an abundance of fruit hanging onto the tree into winter. A very useful, highly ornamental, disease resistant small tree. Perfect for many uses, from gardens to a small structure tree for residential housing schemes.

Speciality:

Size After:

15 Years

Years

Years

Malus hupehensis

Size: Small

Prolific flowering Malus. Its pink buds open to show a profuse cloud of flowers which are pure white. Flowers in May and June. Fruit small and deep red.

Speciality:

Malus ‘Mokum’

Size: Small

Discovered at the Henk Wansing Nursery as a seedling between M. ‘Profusion’ and M. ‘Liset’. Good upright ovoid form with rose-red flowers. Leaves, reddish turning bronze to purplegreen in summer.

Speciality:

Malus ‘Rudolph’

Size: Small

Raised by the famous rose breeder Frank L Skinner in Canada. M. Rudolph develops deep red flower buds in the spring. Leaves glossy bronze-red, later dark bronze-green.

Malus sylvestris

Common Crab Apple

Size: Small

This native Malus is found naturally on the edges of woodlands and in hedgerows. Sweetly scented white blossom gives way to red blushed fruits that are enjoyed by birds and mammals. An irregular growing tree with a fairly loose, rounded crown. These small trees may live for over 100 years and develop a gnarled look. The small apples are enjoyed by wildlife and in the New Forest the wild ponies will gather around the trees to eat these treats.

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Malus trilobata

Size: Small / Medium

An upright tree with large, strong maplelike leaves and red autumn colour. Large white flowers up to 4cm across are borne in loose clusters and followed by greening fruit that will flush red. This unusual tree is native to Syria and the Eastern Mediterranean.

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Malus tschonoskii

Size: Medium

Its strong growing conical habit and excellent eye-catching autumn colour make it a deservedly popular street tree. The young leaves emerge almost white, once fully gown the green leaves have an attractive light grey underside. Flowers white, tinged pink. An interesting tree, which is native to Japan. Introduced by the Arnold Arboretum from seed collected by C S Sargent in Nikko, Central Honshu, Japan.

Malus yunnanensis var. veitchii

Size: Small / Medium

A rare Malus from Japan. This form has the same striking colour of M. tschonoskii but develops a wider, more vase shaped crown. Creamy-white flowers open in May with subtle washes of pale pink. These are very attractive to bees, helping pollinate other Malus in the area. Adaptable to all well-drained soils and extremely tolerant of scab and mildew, this is a small tree that deserves wider use.

Speciality: Speciality:

Maytenus boaria

Mayten Tree

Size: Medium

A slow growing graceful tree which is a perfect alternative to Olive. This evergreen comes from South America, and is able to tolerate high and low temperatures with periods of drought. Its flowers are adored by bees, and said to create the best tasting honey. Its leaves are willowlike, which contrast the silver branches. An unusual and attractive tree, which is perfectly hardy. Fairly bushy when young, it forms a good multi-stem and then develops into a natural, characterful bushy tree.

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Size After:

15 Years 25 Years

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Dawn Redwood

Size: Large

Dawn redwoods have an imposing pyramidal canopy. It is one of the few deciduous conifers. Its needles turn bronze-brown to orange before falling in the autumn.

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Nothofagus antarctica

Antarctic Beech

Size: Medium

Quite a unique tree from Chile with an irregular habit and small crinkled green leaves. Chocolate brown branches grow horizontally eventually producing a handsome specimen tree.

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Parrotia persica

Persian Ironwood

Size: Small / Medium

The Persian Ironwood provides one of the very best autumn displays as its leaves turn yellow, reds and purples. Into maturity the bark flakes delightfully. Spreading and irregular habit.

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’

Size: Small

This shrub, but sometimes also grown as tree, is a crossing between Photinia glabra and serrulate. It was first raised in Fraser nurseries in Birmingham, Alabama in 1944. Small evergreen tree which develops a rounded crown. Dark glossy green leaves with brilliant contrasting red young growth. Profuse display of white flowers in the spring.

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Pinus nigra

Austrian Pine

Size: Large

A large evergreen tree with a dense head of large branches and attractive dark green needles. Very hardy, establishing in almost all soil types, and resistant to air pollution. It happily resists the damaging effects of salt, making it ideal for exposed locations by the coast that require a shelter belt from the strong salt laden winds. It also happily tolerates salt spreading from road gritters during the winter.

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Carpark Tree

Evergreen Avenue Tree

Gardens/ Housing

Pinus sylvestris

Scots Pine

Size: Large

The only native pine to Britain. A recognisable feature is its distinct orangered-brown bark and its needles which are a blueish-green. Initially pyramidal but later spreading out and forming an irregular shape. This evergreen tree will establish even in the most difficult and extreme locations. The needles are a little more tinged with shades of lagoon blue than the Pinus nigra. These grow in pairs and twist displaying different tones of green and blue.

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Platanus x hispanica

London Plane Size: Large

A hybrid between Platanus orientalis and Platanus occidentalis. Discovered by John Tradescant at Vauxhall Gardens in London, it has since become one of the most planted trees in urban streets all over Europe. Renowned for absorbing small carbon particles. It is resilient to ground compaction and hard standing surfaces. Hillier develop and grow mature pre-pollard Plane trees with 5m clear stem. These are specifically designed for high streets with multi-storey infrastructure that require clearance of visibility.

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15 Years 25 Years 50 Years

Populus nigra ‘Italica’

Lombardy Poplar

Size: Large

The Lombardy poplar is a fast growing, narrow tree which will romp away very quickly. Usually seen as wind breaks against the skyline of the landscape.

Populus tremula

Aspen

Size: Large

A native poplar known as the quaking or trembling tree. Its leaves are almost perfectly round, capturing the breeze like thousands of sails. The leaves are a healthy green, which become vibrant yellow or occasionally red in the autumn. The leaf fall around the tree in late autumn is rather beautiful.

Prunus ‘Accolade’

Size: Small

A cross between Prunus subhirtella, which brings magnificent pink blossom that flowers early, and Prunus sargentii with its renowed vibrant autumn leaf colour. Particularly tolerant to urban air pollutions.

Prunus ‘Amanogawa’

Size: Small

An upright cultivar of the Prunus serrulate, which was introduced to England by the famous plant collector Ernest Wilson in the early 1900s. He originally saw this “River of the Sky” planted along Arakawa river, where it was first cultivated back in 1830. Narrow pillar form. The branches are tightly ascending and in early spring the tree is covered in large almond scented semidouble shell-pink flowers.

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Prunus avium

Wild Cherry

Size: Medium

The brilliant, pure white blossom of this native cherry has enlivened our countryside for thousands of years. Its unmistakable flowers are enjoyed in our hedgerows, parks and urban areas across all the United Kingdom. The sweet fragrance of the flowers attracts many bees, providing an excellent initial source of nectar whilst pollinating the tree.

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Prunus avium ‘Plena’

Size: Medium

One of the loveliest of all flowering trees, its branches wreathed with masses of drooping double pure white flowers in late April to early May. Flowers will stay on for at least 2-3 weeks depending on weather conditions. Would form a great flowering avenue. In autumn, the vibrant green leaves darken into a deep, crimson red which makes the tree look ablaze. This with the uniformed appreance of the tree creates stunning avenues with seasonal interest.

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Prunus cerasifera ‘Nigra’

Black Cherry Plum

Size: Small

A dark-leafed variety of the Prunus cerasifera cultivated in America during the 1900s. This striking tree has succulent, dark foliage that remains throughout the season. It is first to open its flowers from dark pink, cotton candy buds in the early days of March. These produce a wonderfully delicate pink blossom that contrasts the dark unfolding leaves. As the blossom matures, it becomes paler white, becoming elegantly highlighted amongst the purple canopy. Unlike most purple-leafed trees, this cultivar continues its shades of purple throughout the season.

Prunus cerasifera ‘Pissardii’

Purple-leaved Cherry Plum

Size: Small

Dark red young foliage turning to dark purple. Flowers in great profusion, white, pink in bud, in late March and early April. Foliage tends to fade to greenish-purple during the summer. It will thrive in most site conditions, making it a go-to tree for urban locations.

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Prunus ‘Ichiyo’

Size: Small

Ornamental and long-lasting flowers with up to 20 petals clustered around the centre. The leaves open with a bronzed green hue, before becoming a fresh vivid green for the summer. These turn as the autumn arrives, making the canopy become colours of rich marmalade and ruby reds before they fall. A wonderful tree ideal for wider public open spaces and round green verges. Try planting this on a roundabout with bluebells planted beneath.

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Prunus ‘Kanzan’

Size: Small

Strong growing widely planted and popular ornamental flowering cherry. Young leaves coppery-red emerge at the same time as the pink double flowers. In autumn the large green leaves deepen into shades of burnt marmalade. Its habit is stiffly ascending with branches spreading later.

Prunus laurocerasus ‘Magnoliifolia’

Cherry Laurel

Size: Small / Medium

A standard tree form of the laurel which lends itself to screening. The evergreen leaves are a dark shade of emerald-green which are the largest of all laurel.

Prunus lusitanica

Portuguese Laurel

Size: Small

This small evergreen tree has a good rounded habit. Small, fragrant white flowers in racemes to 25cm in length in early summer, are followed by small, dark purple fruits.

Prunus litigiosa

Tassel Cherry

Size: Small

This rare tree was originally found as Prunus pilosiuscula in the central Chinese area of Hupeh. It was brought to the UK by the famous plant explorer Ernest Henry Wilson in the early 1900s, introduced as Prunus pilsiuscula media. Quite an uncommon variety, with many designers yet to know of its benefits. Its slender columnar form remains narrow into maturity. Delicate buds unfold with elegant flowers that hang gracefully in clusters. The flowers droop on long stalks, where the anthers hang from the centre like tassels, inspiring its common name. Great urban tree.

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Prunus maackii ‘Amber Beauty’

Manchurian Cherry

Size: Small

The trunk has a smooth, glossy look which shines with warming tones of amber gold which has been swirled with a light cinnamon red. This extends up throughout the canopy on the mature branches. Flowers white, produced on slender drooping racemes in April. The bark will peel and flake to reveal the fresh amber coloured bark.

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Prunus ‘Mount Fuji’ (‘Shirotae’)

Mount Fuji Cherry

Size: Small

This ancient cultivar from Japan was named after the Mountain Fuji, the holy mountain which is christened eternally in pure white snow. Its name is used in reference to the spectacular white blossom of the tree.

Prunus padus ‘Watereri’

Bird Cherry ‘Watereri’

Size: Medium

Very vigorous, broad headed tree. Spectacular long racemes of white flowers in April/May. The fragrant flowers are produced in pendulous bunches, which can be up to 20cm long. Black berries follow the flowers. Outstanding form of our native bird cherry.

Prunus ‘Pandora’

Cherry ‘Pandora’

Size: Small

A hybrid of Prunus subhirtella and Prunus yedoensis. The canopy is slender and column like. Masses of pale pink flowers in March and April. Provides a vivid firework display of autumn which can transform even the bleakest of harsh, urban locations.

Prunus sargentii

Sargent’s Cherry

Size: Medium

Masses of clear pink flowers produced in March/April. Leaves emerge bronze, later turning green, one of the first trees to develop autumn colour, leaves turning scarlet red and warm orange, contrasting with the chestnut brown bark.

Prunus sargentii ‘Charles Sargent’

Size: Small

A cultivar from the famous tree manager, Edward. H. Scalon. Emerging bronze foliage turning vibrant orange-red in autumn. Large flowers display wonderful shades of creamy pinks.

Prunus sargentii ‘Columnaris’

Size: Small

As the name suggests, this is an upright cultivar of P. sargentii. Its autumn display is even more pronounced, with deep golds that blush with ruby red.

Prunus sargentii ‘Rancho’

Size: Small

In March the single flowers open, clustered in pairs and in fours. Their large petals display wonderful shades of creamy pinks. The leaves unfold a coppery red, developing fresh emerald shades of green for the summer months. They are the first to evolve into their autumn display which is as early as September, lasting long through till November. Their colour is deep fiery shades of orange that are stunningly spectacular.

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Prunus × schmittii

Size: Small / Medium

A cross between Prunus avium and Prunus canescens. The bark has a remarkable red glow that seems to shine with vitality. The lenticels swipe horizontal across the bark, creating an all season prominent feature. Come autumn the green leaves melt into mellow buttered popcorn shades of yellow. Ideal for street planting due to its upright, narrow crown.

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Prunus ‘Shirofugen’

Size: Small / Mediium

An ancient cultivar which has been grown in Japan since the 1400s. The widest growing of the cherries, it matures wider than it is tall, reaching out up to 8m sometimes. It is the last to blossom in May, where the flowers linger to the branches through till June. The large double flowers open from pink buds, bursting into flowers with pure white petals. These quickly wash with subtle pinks, evolving into darker succulent shades of violet before falling to the ground in June.

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Prunus serrula

Tibetan Cherry Size: Small

Introduced from Western China by the famous plant hunter Ernest Wilson in 1908. Its bark and mature branches shine with a polished red-brown mahogany colour which attractively peels and is increasingly spectacular with age. It has narrow willow-like leaves and small white flowers in April. Some designers enjoy the stained-glass glow through the paper sheets of the bark. Others like to remove these sheets, revealing the swirled tones beneath, wiping the trunk with nut oil to enhance its glossy shine of colour.

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Size After:

15 Years

Prunus ‘Spire’ (‘hillieri Spire’)

Size: Small

A Hillier tree raised and introduced at our own nursery in the early 1920s. The canopy is a narrow shape with ascending branches. One of the best small flowering street trees.

Prunus × subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’

Winter-flowering Cherry

Size: Small

A winter wonder that provides a glorious display during the cold months. Its pink buds burst open with double white flowers that bring life to sleeping landscapes. The fruits are welcomed by birds. It is also very tolerant of pollution, so perfect for urban locations.

Prunus × subhirtella ‘Autumnalis Rosea’

Winter-flowering Cherry

Size: Small

The winter-flowering cherry with blush pink flowers produced throughout November-April. More spectacular in flower than P. × subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ and stronger growing. Lovely as a courtyard tree or plant in a position where the little flowers can brighten up long winter days.

Prunus ‘Sunset Boulevard’

Size: Medium

Originally discovered as a seedling of Prunus serrulata Benden. Introduced by the Kalmthout Arboretum of Belgium. Its upright narrow form was selected with tighter urban locations specifically in mind. The spring blossom opens to a profusion of single white flowers with undertones of pink. Fantastic red autumn colour. In our opinion this is one of the finest cherries for street planting. It is very similar to the Pyrus Chanticleer and a very good alternative. Perfect for retail high streets and inner city squares. The tight canopy can be raised up 3m allowing easy pedestrian access and visibility with minimal maintenance required.

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15 Years 25 Years 50 Years

Prunus ‘Tai-haku’

Great White Cherry Size: Small

Thought to have died out. By a chance encounter, a specimen was found to be growing in a hobbyist’s garden within Sussex, England in the early 1920s. The brilliant white blossom is so pure, it almost has a blue icy undertone. It has no tinges of pink or shades of purple. Just perfect white flowers with a straight, unwrinkled edge. They are single flowers which enhances their graceful beauty, being elegantly larger than all other Prunus blossom.

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Prunus ‘Snow Goose’

Size: Small

An upright, columnar tree like a pillar in form. It widens a little with maturity, but remaining with 4m width at its maximum. Brilliant white blossom opens with long tassel anthers. These anthers with pink centre stamens, that appear like red ink stains have been splashed on each flowers centre. These colours become deeper shades of pink and purple as they mature. The leaves open at the same time, providing a fresh green backdrop to the white pink flowers. Come the autumn the leaves provide warming shades of marmalade and crimson amber.

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Prunus yedoensis

Yoshino Cherry

Size: Small

Rounded with graceful arching branches. The flowers are almond scented and blushed white in profusion before leaves develop in March/April. Emerging leaves are very light green, turning mid-green with strong yellow autumn colour. Came from Japan around 1902, this superbly pretty tree is truly beautiful when in full flower.

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Size After:

Spring Flowering

Flowering

Narrow Urban Park Tree

Gardens/ Housing Gardens/ Housing

Pterocarya fraxinifolia

Caucasian Wingnut

Size: Large

Wide spreading and fast growing impressive tree. Tolerates very wet and very dry conditions. Catkins up to 50cm long in mid-summer. More adaptable and less brittle than Ailanthus altissima.

Pterocarya stenoptera ‘Fern Leaf’

Chinese Fern Leaf Wingnut

Size: Large

A very ornamental tree with narrow, deeply divided, fern-like leaves. Its drooping catkins are quite a feature against the feathery green of the leaves.

Pyrus calleryana ‘Autumn Blaze’

Size: Medium

Selected in Oregan, USA in 1980 for its excellent red-purple autumn and profuse flowering. Young leaves emerge reddish but soon turn glossy green. Pyramidal when young, becoming broadly columnar in shape. Like all cultivars of P. calleryana, it tolerates air pollution well.

Pyrus calleryana ‘Capital’

Ornamental Pear

Size: Medium

More upright and columnar than P. calleryana ‘Chanticleer’, it is the narrowest of pears. Deep green glossy leaves hold on the tree until late autumn before turning a vibrant purplish-red. Masses of attractive white flowers. Highly resistant to fire blight and perfect for use in narrow streets as it is tolerant to air pollution.

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Size After:

15 Years

Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’

Size: Medium

Pryrus Chanticleer was developed in the 1950s by Edward Scanlon, who devoted his career to the study and propagation of trees suitable for urban situations. This has been named as the perfect street tree, being one of the most planted varieties in urban locations all across Europe and America. It establishes well in all soil types, and will tolerate harsh urban conditions and pollutions. Its slim upright canopy is the first to open its emerald green leaves in spring, and last to drop them in autumn. In fact, its autumn colour of burning candy apple reds and fiery shades of orange are one of the best of all the ornamental pears. Its elegant mass of wonderful white flowers open in April / May, which bring a much needed resource for wildlife such as bees in the urban environment. A ‘Go To’ tree for many urban specifiers, and ideal for almost all inner city applications.

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After:

15 Years 25 Years 50 Years

Urban Carpark Tree

Quercus x bimundorum ‘Crimson Spire’

Size: Large

A hybrid between Q.robur ‘Fastigiata’ and Q. alba. Upright columnar habit with dark green leaves that in autumn develop into eye-catching reds and purplish-reds. The autumn colour holds on the tree long into winter. One of the features that it inherits from the American white oak, apart from the autumn colour, is its resistance to mildew. Excellent choice for narrow spaces in city or garden.

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Quercus castaneifolia ‘Green Spire’

Size: Large

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Quercus cerris

Turkey Oak

Size: Large

Large fast-growing tree. Leaves dark green above and grey-felted below which develop a yellow and gold autumn colour. The acorn cup is covered with shaggy scales giving a hairy appearance.

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Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’

Size: Large

An imposing variety of our native oak with a columnar habit making it an ideal large upright tree for urban planting. A superb form for restricted spaces.

Raised at Hillier Nurseries in about 1948. Tall and vigorous, broadly columnar form of compact habit. Narrow, oval, shiny, toothed leaves. Superb tree for avenue planting or restricted areas. Speciality:

Quercus frainetto ‘Hungarian Crown’

Size: Large

Fast-growing tree with upright branches forming a broadly oval head. Its dark green leaves are large, deeply lobed and up to 20cm long, turning yellow-orange in autumn. A magnificent vigorous tree, growing on all soil types including chalk and should be more widely planted. Its name was proposed by Hillier for the clone originally from SE Europe and known as the Hungarian Oak.

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Quercus ilex

Holm oak/Evergreen Oak

Size: Large

A large magnificent evergreen tree. Excellent in coastal areas and most urban situations, but not for the coldest inland areas. The dark green leathery leaves are sharply serrated like holly, older trees have smoother edge. We recommend that this tree is always specified as ‘container grown’ to aid establishment.

Speciality: Speciality:

Quercus palustris

Pin Oak

Size: Large

North American native with a straight main truck and horizontal branching structure which gives it a distinctive winter silhouette. Deeply toothed glossy leaves turn scarlet in autumn. Does particularly well in moist neutral/acid soils. Palustris comes from the Latin word for marsh (palus), in reference to a common habitat for this tree.

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Quercus palustris ‘Green Pillar’

Size: Large

Upright columnar form, an ideal choice for urban locations such as narrow streets. In autumn the deeply lobed, dark green shiny leaves turn deep-red to scarlet-red. Can tolerate air pollution and fairly damp conditions, doing best in slightly acidic soils. Selected as a seedling in a nursery in New Jersey in 1994 and propagated to replicate its uniform crown.

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Quercus robur

English Oak

Size: Large

A native tree, one cannot help but be in awe of these long-lived giants of our countryside. It develops a magnificent broad and spreading crown with sturdy branches beneath. Leaves have shallow, rounded lobes with smooth edges and turn lovely hues of oranges and browns in the autumn. Native Oak trees support a myriad of life as they are an important habitat and provide food for wildlife. A fabulous tree, of which more should be planted to maintain the national stock.

Quercus robur does not naturally form a leader and grows into a spreading crown - also known as a decurrent branching structure. This rounded, sometimes irregular form is the quintessential silhouette of the English countryside. Although a recent imported pest, namely OPM, poses a threat, the benefits of continued oak populations can not be over-stated.

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Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata Koster’

Size: Large

An excellent columnar shaped oak, which continues narrowly pyramidal with age, staying neat and tidy in its habit. It is the perfect choice for urban planting where a large tree of stature is required but space is limited. The leaves are deeply lobed and glossy green and turn golden brown in the autumn. Like its parents, this is a great tree for supporting wildlife, the acorns appear in the autumn time and are a great source of food for many mammals. This form can be specified as feathered or with a clear stem. Koster is a clonal selection that maintains its columnar shape throughout its life, whereas seed raised Q. robur fastigiata can be variable.

Speciality: 15 Years 25 Years

Size After:

Years

Narrow Urban Avenue Tree Carpark Tree

Quercus rubra

Red Oak Size: Large

Fast growing broad-headed tree. Its large leaves are a real feature, with its lobes more pointed and less rounded than the native Q. robur. Fantastic autumn colour of red or red-brown. It is a lovely tree for naturalised plantings as its crown is irregular. For a more uniform habit use Q. palustris. The Red Oak is not happy on alkaline soils, prefering neutral to acidic conditions, similar to its native habitat in Eastern North America. It can make a characterful and substantial parkland tree.

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15 Years 25 Years 50 Years

Salix alba

White Willow

Size: Large

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Salix babylonica pendula

Weeping Willow

Size: Large

Graceful tree with a wide spreading head of long pendulous branches. Leaves long and narrow. Slender catkins appear in spring.

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Sorbus aria ‘Majestica’

Whitebeam

Size: Medium

Handsome form with larger leaves. Faster growing than Sorbus aria ‘Lutescens’, and does not suffer the early leaf drop to which a Lutescens is susceptible.

The White Willow is a familiar native tree, commonly planted along river banks. It is a large elegant tree which is broadly upright with slender, reaching branches. Speciality:

Sorbus arnoldiana ‘Golden Wonder’

Size: Small

Speciality:

Sorbus aucuparia

Mountain Ash/Rowan

Size: Small / Medium

Native tree with pinnate leaves. The autumn colours are strong yellow-orange or brick-red. Fruits bright red, carried in large, dense bunches during autumn.

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Sorbus aucuparia ‘Aspleniifolia’

Size: Small

The cut-leaf rowan has fern-like leaves which are emerald green, turning to amber reds in the autumn. The berries are highly popular with native birds.

A useful little tree which offers all season interest with flowers in the spring, fresh summer leaves melting into striking autumn reds. Speciality:

Sorbus aucuparia ‘Cardinal Royal’

Size: Small

A selection of the species with an upright branching habit which forms a neat, tidy tree. The fruits are more numerous and red than Sorbus aucuparia.

Sorbus aucuparia ‘Sheerwater Seedling’

Size: Small

This selection has a tidy, ovoid canopy form, which lends itself well to small scale formal avenues, street planting or for small gardens.

Sorbus ‘Autumn Spire’

Size: Small

An upright form perfect for tighter locations. The red autumn leaves contrast the lemon yellow berries wonderfully.

Sorbus aucuparia ‘Streetwise’

Size: Small

A Hillier clonal selection and part of the renowned ‘Streetwise’ range. It stands out as an extremely robust grower, outperforming other Sorbus aucuparias. Very neat, upright habit and its narrow, compact canopy makes this the best of the species for street and urban planting. Its vigour ensures that it establishes quickly and has become a staple for urban tree managers for its hardiness as well as reliability of performance and form.

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Sorbus commixta

Japanese Rowan

Size: Small

One of the very best Sorbus for autumn displays. The bees love the flowers, whilst the winter red berries are a delight for birds.

Sorbus commixta ‘Embley’

Size: Small

One of the best small trees for autumn colour. Its pinnate leaves will not disappoint and will give a fiery red autumn display.

Sorbus commixta ‘Olympic Flame’

Size: Small

In spring, its creamy white flowers open amongst the bronze buds. Leaves are a fresh, healthy green that contrast the flowers well. Come autumn, the pinnate leaves are a blazing fire. The red berries are glazed with orange. An upright, compact form.

Sorbus ‘Glowing Pink’

Pink Berried Rowan

Size: Small

This Sorbus was raised at Hillier. It has great vigour and as such is quick to establish and soon reaches its final height as a small tree. The flowers appear in panicles and are followed by the berries that turn a striking pale pink with a white blush. The upright habit is similar to Sorbus aucuparia ‘Cardinal Royal’ with greenish-grey leaves. A great choice for those who would like an eye-catching berry, but unwilling to wait for some of the more more traditional, slower varieties.

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Sorbus hupehensis

Chinese Rowan

Size: Small

This upright Sorbus has the most wonderful berries, which are white but blushed with gooey pinks and reds. They look like yoghurt swirls which the birds cannot get enough of. The branches are ascending and purple-brown in colour. The leaves are large, and strikingly bluegreen with 11-17 leaflets, turning glorious red in autumn. It is relatively slow growing compared to S. ‘Glowing Pink’.

Sorbus intermedia ‘Brouwers’

Swedish Whitebeam

Size: Medium

The Swedish Whitebeam is a tough little cookie, which tolerates urban conditions well. Great for wind exposed areas and coastal locations.

Sorbus ‘Sunshine’

Size: Small

This Sorbus was raised on our nurseries in 1968 as a seedling from Sorbus Joseph Rock. Its superior qualities has meant this has outstripped its parent.

Sorbus x thuringiaca ‘Fastigiata’

Whitebeam

Size: Small

Striking and formal lollipop tree. Good for defined areas and near modern buildings. A cultivar of Sorbus thuringiaca.

Sorbus torminalis

Wild Service/Checker Tree

Size: Medium

An attractive tree which is native to the United Kingdom. Sharplylobed dark green foliage, turning bronzed marmalade in the autumn.

Taxodium distichum

Swamp Cypress

Size: Large

The most suitable conifer for very wet conditions. Leaves grassgreen turning bronze-yellow in autumn.

Taxus baccata

Yew

Size: Medium

Native evergreen which will grow on almost pure chalk, but also succeeds on acid soils. Great as a specimen tree or fabulous as hedging.

Thuja plicata

Western Red Cedar

Size: Large

Fast-growing tree with bright grass-green foliage. Superb for hedging and screening. Thrives on all well-drained soils and excellent on shallow chalk.

Thuja plicata ‘Fastigiata’

Size: Large

Narrowly columnar evergreen tree with ascending branches. Excellent as a single specimen or for hedging.

Tilia cordata ‘Rancho’

Small-leaved Lime

Size: Medium

A smaller lime, with neat ascending branches. The heart shaped leaves are vibrant green, and provide a wonderful golden autumn display. An attractive addition of creamy white flowers appear in July.

Tilia cordata

Small-leaved Lime

Size: Medium / Large

Tilia cordata is seed-raised, so the form can be variable. It is native to the United Kingdom. It has a high tolerance of heat, future-proofing any planting scheme. It is tolerant of hard pruning and is often used as pollards.

Tilia cordata ‘Corzam’

Size: Medium

Cultivated for its pyramidal form where the branches are evenly spaced around a straight vertical stem. It brings a precise symmetry to the landscape with consistent uniformity.

Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’

Size: Medium / Large

A select form of the small-leaved lime, ideal for street planting. An American selection which was brought to the market in 1961 and achieved the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in 2002.

Tilia cordata ‘Streetwise’

Size: Medium / Large

A tree cultivated and introduced by Hillier; it is a personal favourite of Hossein Arshadi, of Hillier Trees. It has a faster growth rate than T. cordata ‘Greenspire’. The leaves are also noticeably darker. Tilia c. Streetwise has exceptional tolerance to periods of drought and heat. It has a strong central leader and well balanced crown , and being largely aphid free does not suffer from the problem of honeydew. As a result it is ideal for car parks, streets, and avenues. It is favoured by tree managers and specifiers for its robustness and excellent form.

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Size After:

15 Years

Years

Tilia x euchlora

Caucasian Lime Size: Medium

Thought to be a cross between Tilia cordata and Tilia dasystyla (Crimson Lime), its dark, glossy, heart shaped leaves do not attract aphids, so does not suffer with honeydew. The perfect choice for imposing avenue planting. The fragrant flowers are a firm favourite for bees. Perfect for urban locations, very hardy and will tolerate poor conditions. Its winter twigs and buds are orangey and offer a striking interest in the darker months. For this reason it also makes an attractive pleach or cube topiary. As an older tree, the lower branches swoop downwards majestically.

Speciality:

Tilia oliveri

Chinese White Lime

Size: Medium

An elegant dome shape. Discovered by Augustine Henry in 1888 in central China and was introduced to the United Kingdom 12 years later by Ernest Wilson. It has dark green leaves above and silvery white beneath, hanging from pendulous shoots so, in a breeze has the effect of quaking Aspen. Highly attractive and free from aphids.

Speciality:

Tilia platyphyllos

Large-leaved Lime

Size: Large

The overall shape of the tree is broadly columnar and so lends itself to being a large avenue tree or stately specimen tree. It flowers in late June to early July and is attractive to bees and other pollinators and is prone to aphids and associated honeydew. The leaves are roundish, sharply toothed, shortly downy above and densely so beneath. A vigorous grower and thought to be native in parts of England.

Speciality:

Tilia platyphyllos ‘Aurea’

Size: Medium / Large

Succulent golden shoots strike warmth into the winter months. Known as the golden twig broad-leaved lime. It is attractive to bees and other pollinators. This is a large tree, similar to the species, and its vibrant, bright twig and bud colour make this tree a must for parklands and winter gardens. It is also a fine contender for pleaching or cube topiary.

Speciality:

Size After:

Tilia platyphyllos

‘Prince’s Street’

Size: Large

Suckers are produced but not as prolifically as Tilia x europaea, but as such is better suited to the wider landscape than street planting. A more upright growing selection than the species and suitable for avenues. It is vigorous with good winter stems which are bright red on the younger twigs. It holds its leaf longer than T. platyphyllos going into the autumn months and similarly is a good source of nectar for bees and other pollinators.

Speciality:

Size After:

Tilia platyphyllos

‘Streetwise’

Size: Large

Our own selection and part of our Streetwise range, selected for its superior upright habit and dark glossy leaf. It also has excellent bright red twig colour, surpassing T. plat ‘Rubra’, which stands out during the winter months. The autumn colour is unusual being the only T. platyphyllos with purple-brown colour. Ideal species for urban environments. Narrower than T. platyphyllos, so lends itself to being an avenue tree or stately specimen tree. It flowers in late June to early July and is attractive to bees and other pollinators.

Speciality:

Size After:

Tilia tomentosa ‘Brabant’

Silver Lime

Size: Large

The branches have an upright habit forming a dense, uniform, broadly conical crown. When under stress from reflected heat, it curls its leaves so the silver underside is able to reflect the heat away from the tree. One of the greatest trees for close proximity to sheer surface infrastructure and inner city planting. It is largely aphid free and as a result does not produce honeydew.

Speciality:

Tilia × europaea ‘Pallida’

Common Lime

Size: Large

Perfect for formal avenues, of which the most famous lime avenue is Unter den Linden in Germany - which extended from the palace to the city gates. It is attractive to many insects including bees and butterflies but also aphids, so can produce honeydew. The form is broadly conical and its winter twigs are reddish which is an attractive feature. As with most Tilias, these are fully hardy and tolerate all soil types as long as they are well drained.

Speciality:

Ulmus ‘Columella’

Elm

Size: Medium

Part of the Resista Elm programme, an upright Elm, 100% Dutch Elm Resistant, it is known to be incredibly wind resistant. Ideal for exposed areas and wind tunnels.

Ulmus ‘Fiorente’

Elm

Size: Medium

‘Fiorente’ is a strikingly beautiful, elegant Elm. It will flower in the early spring, followed by flush green leaves which are rough on the upper surface and pubescent underneath.

Ulmus ‘San Zanobi’

Elm

Size: Medium

A cross between Dutch hybrid Ulmus ‘Plantyn’ and Ulmus pumila. This resistant clone is a rather upright, fastigiate form with glossy vibrant green leaves.

Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ Elm

Size: Medium / Large

100% Dutch Elm Disease resitant, the Ulmus New Horizon has a rounded canopy. It has established in the harshest of urban conditions. The leaves are fresh green, with good autumn colour. A fast grower, which is quick to establish. A popular alternative to Fraxinus (Ash). This exciting elm shares the same phenology as the native elm and as such is a host to the extremely rare White-letter Hairstreak Butterfly (WLH). The WLH butterfly is native to the United Kingdom and is an endangered species. Its hardiness is proven to withstand floods, droughts, poor soils, salt laden winds and high levels of pollution, and as such can and should be widely planted where space allows. Part of the Resista Elms, it is micro-chipped and exclusively grown by Hillier under licence.

Speciality:

Ulmus ‘Rebona’

Elm Size: Medium / Large

The hybrid was derived from a Japanese clone of Ulmus japonica and a Siberian seedling of Ulmus pumila, the same parentage as Ulmus New Horizon. It is 100% resistant to Dutch Elm Disease and shares the same attributes as its sister in terms of hardiness and phenology. Where it differs is its more upright, less broad form - so is perceived to be neater in its habit. A perfect choice for carparks, central reservations and inner-city locations. Part of the Resista Elms, microchipped and grown exclusively in the UK by Hillier.

Speciality:

Size After:

Zelkova serrata ‘Green Vase’

Japanese Zelkova

Size: Large

Medium sized tree with attractive bright green leaves and notable for its autumnal show. A good choice for urban planting. The form is vase-shaped, which it retains into maturity. Its bark is smooth and grey, becoming flakey as it matures. Its leaves are slender oval and turn bronze or red in autumn - a graceful tree.

Speciality:

Size After:

15 Years

designing with trees

Biodiversity Through Mixed Avenues

Avenues of trees are some of the most striking and important structural planting to be found in a designed landscape. In most cases the trees planted in an avenue will be of the same species, so as to give a uniform appearance along the full length of the avenue. Growing concerns around biosecurity have caused questions around the wisdom of this approach and how best to plant avenues with biosecurity and biodiversity in mind.

Over the last decade, as awareness around biosecurity, plant health and biodiversity has grown, single species avenues of trees have started to be seen as a fairly high-risk approach. Many of our once dependable trees have been hit by pest and disease problems, such as the Elms, our lovely Ash and recently even the majestic Oak.

With the knowledge of this and understanding that our trees may face further problems in the future, it makes sense to try and be as diverse as possible with our species selection.

Mixed Avenue Planting

Mixed avenues are designed with a diverse range of tree species that are complementary in size, form and scale and as such the avenue is still unified. A mixed avenue will be far more robust and reliable and better equipped to face the ecological and climatological realities of today`s world.

A very successful mixed avenue that Hillier supplied was at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, this was designed by LDA Design in collaboration with Hargreaves Associates.

Another more recent example of a mixed tree avenue was Sauchiehall Street for Glasgow City Council.

This generation of avenues puts the trees into the heart of the city and the species selected were mixed, all deciduous and designed to complement each other in form and ornamental features.

Glasgow city centre walkway

Pilot Avenues Project in Glasgow City Centre

In 2018, we supported the first project within a £115 million ‘Avenues’ transformation programme by Glasgow City Council for the development of Sauchiehall Avenue. This runs from the west of the city into the centre and, prior to the programme was a dominantly traffic-filled area.

The ‘Avenues’ programme is intended to deliver an integrated network of continuous pedestrian and cycle routes across the city centre, making the city more sustainable and economically competitive. When complete, 17 streets and adjacent areas will be transformed, improving the environment and introducing green infrastructure across the city.

Varieties of tree chosen were Acer campestre ‘William Caldwell’, Carpinus betulus ‘fastigiata’, Acer platanoides ‘Deborah’ and Gingko biloba. All of these are similar in that they exhibit a fairly upright habit and are tolerant of urban situations, making them ideal for the planting environment and complementary choices for mixed avenue planting.

Once selected, all the trees were containerised into Spring Ring or Air-Pot containers at Hillier Container Tree Nursery in Hampshire to give them the best possible chance of successfully establishing when planted on site. Because of the requirement for a three metre clear stem, Hillier carefully raised the canopy on the trees.

This project was commended at the BALI National Landscape Awards 2019, where idverde were an Award Winner within the Soft Landscaping Construction (Non-Domestic) – over £500k category.

Glasgow Avenue trees

The pilot area, Sauchiehall Avenue, had never had trees planted down it before. The brief to Hillier, from Glasgow City Council and landscape contractor idverde, was for trees that would clearly mark out the new cycle route, as well as bringing great benefits to the appearance and environment of the avenue.

While one of the important factors driving tree selection for this project was size, in order to create instant impact, biosecurity and biodiversity were also key. From a biosecurity point of view, the project favoured British-grown trees. And to support biodiversity, the avenue was planned with a mixture of tree species.

Planting the trees in Glasgow Avenue

designing with trees - hillier tree guide

Row of trees in Glasgow Avenue

Shaped Trees

Trees bring many attributes to the landscape: height; colour; seasonal interest; structure; drama; screening; habitat; the list goes on.

From a designer’s point of view, one of the most useful qualities is form. Trees are versatile and can be used to create a variety of effects through their natural forms or through human intervention – creating shapes through topiary and intelligent pruning. At Hillier Trees, we offer a wide variety of shaped trees whether through their natural form or through skilled shape training.

Shaped Trees through Natural Forms

Multi-stem trees – which arise as a result of coppicing young trees - create natural branching structures and greater interest at lower levels than their standard counterparts.

Many of the British-grown trees from Hillier are available as multi-stem. These have been selected to make the most of their stem colour, or to bring their flowers and seasonal leaf interest to a scale that can be enjoyed at eye level.

Another natural form of shaped tree is fastigiate selections. These can be useful to introduce strong forms without the need incorporate annual maintenance plans to clip the trees back into shape.

Fastigiate trees exist across a variety of genus, covering small, medium and to large growing trees. Many of these benefit from being branched all the way to the ground as ‘feathered’ trees. However, most are available with a clear stem and can be specified at the time of enquiry.

Smaller growing columnar variety

Prunus ‘Amanogawa’

Medium growing upright varieties

• Acer campestre ‘William Caldwell’

• Betula pendula ‘Obelisk’

Large growing fastigiate forms

• Acer platanoides ‘Columnare’

• Fagus sylvatica ‘Dawyck’ (all three colours)

• Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata Koster’

• Ulmus ‘Columella’

Globe or dense, rounded canopies occur naturally in a number of species and can offer real impact in both large and smaller schemes. The main ones offered at Hillier are:

• Acer platanoides ‘Globosum’

• Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’

Natural shaped Acer Globosum

Shaped Trees through Clipped Forms

For formal shapes, clipped topiary provides very strong design features. Some species are naturally able to thrive when being pruned on a regular basis. This does mean these trees will need to be regularly pruned once planted in order to keep the shapes, but depending on the species and how formal a look is required, annual pruning or twice yearly should suffice.

Pleached Trees

These are trained into flat, two-dimensional shapes, usually with a clear stem. The most common varieties of pleached tree are Tilia (lime) or Hornbeam (Carpinus), however on a smaller scale it is popular to use flowering trees such as crab apple (Malus) or ornamental pear (Pyrus). Evergreen trees, such as Photinia, Holm Oak and Laurel can also make effective pleached trees.

Tiered pleached trees have single horizontal stems – like espalier fruit — and are more delicate in their appearance than standard pleached trees. Typically, these would have a 2m clear stem, then five tiers of branches 30cm apart.

Panel pleached trees have a solid canopy. These are a little like a hedge on stilts, and are more suitable for screening purposes.

Cubed or Box-head Trees

These are ideal for achieving height and interest in a small space and a strong three-dimensional impact when used in greater numbers on a larger scale.

Globe Clipped Trees

These have a similar use as cubed trees, but the shape gives a friendly relaxed formality to a space.

Parasol Trained Trees

Parasol trees have a central clear stem with a flat spreading roof of trained branches. These are ideal to create a natural parasol to entertain guests outside in the shade both domestically or in the public realm – think coffee culture and relaxed plazas!

space and can be used randomly or as a row of pillars to demark sections. Hornbeam (Carpinus) and Beech (Fagus) are most commonly used because of their dense growing habit with short internodes.

Archways

Archways create instant entrances or natural pergolas if used in numbers. Most commonly grown as Hornbeam (Fagus), archway trained trees provide lush green arcs and orangebrown autumn and winter hues.

Full Panel Trees

These are similar to pleached panels, but differ by being branched down to the ground. They are excellent to divide small spaces and create ‘rooms’, or to screen unsightly areas.

Cloud Pruned Trees

Pollarded Trees

Pollarded trees are not just for urban streets, although they are an effective form of tree management. Limes (Tilia) and Willow (Salix) can also make striking pollards that convey a different atmosphere — like a pollarded lime avenue creating a relaxed sense of arrival to a rural retreat or country farmstead.

Column Pruned Trees

These are very useful to punctuate a garden or public urban

These are living works of art. Years of pruning has been carried out to create these sculptures. As they are individual and command a certain level of investment, it is advised that these are hand-picked and tagged by the client.

Spindle Pruned Apples Trees

Shaped in the traditional way, these allow fruit to be picked from these mature orchard trees from two layers of lateral branches with a strong trunk running through the middle.

Globe headed Carpinus in situ and growing on our nursery

Cube shaped lime trees

Parasol shaped trees supplied to the Eden project

designing with trees - hillier tree guide

Feature Trees

Every tree planted should be highly valued for its natural beauty and huge environmental benefits, which get greater with time and maturity. Trees give scale and impact to a new landscape setting. Sometimes, through selection of semimature trees, particular historic varieties or unique shapes, trees can emphasise and continue the historic importance of a setting.

Fabulous Fruit

Hillier has a range of the decorative mature, ex-orchard fruit trees, which are about 20 years old and are produced in Spring Ring containers. These containers help the trees quickly establish strong root systems, helping them become ready-togo semi-mature fruit trees. Each fruit tree is an individual with lots of character from years of pruning.

These mature fruit trees have become very popular with Hillier customers and have been used in community gardens, corporate office court yards, urban pocket parks and schools. The lovely flowers brighten up any space and it is fascinating to watch the fruit grow — and what a lovely treat to be able to pick your own apples from the trees.

One notable housing project in Rugby, designed by BMD (Bradley Murphy Design), used a natural grouping of 40 mature fruit trees to give structure and character at the entrance to the new major housing development. The fruit trees reflected the history of the site and had been renowned, locally, for its old orchards. It created a fantastic, characterfilled area for the new residents to enjoy.

The range of semi-mature fruit trees available from Hillier will vary, but there is always a good selection of eating and cooking apple varieties. Contact us for our latest availability list of our semi-mature fruit trees.

Hillier orchard trees planted at Rugby by Whitings Apple Braeburn bush

Design Gems

The creation of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London saw the planting of thousands of beautiful semi-mature trees, supplied by Hillier. The scale was huge, but within the structural planting of new woodlands and avenues were many lovely design features and clever use of trees.

Unique Requirements

Hillier grows many pre-shaped trees, such as pleached trees, cubes, globes or archways in a range of species. Pleached trees are often used to define a space, such as a courtyard or provide additional height and screening.

One such feature was the seating and play area, which is close to the Olympic Stadium. This section of the park is defined by closely planted, single species copses - in this case, Prunus serrula. The designers, LDA, selected this tree for its beautiful, shiny, rich red mahogany-coloured bark. The bark continually peels to reveal russet amber and the peeling bark then curls and remains on the trunk to catch the light, giving the tree a life of its own. When trees are planted together, the effect of the bark is amplified and is beautiful all year round, with the canopies merging and the individual trees blending and working together as a unit. The trees were all individually selected at Hillier by LDA to ensure the smoothest trunks and even clear stem height and trees were secured with short stakes stained black for a crisp finish.

We have had many interesting and sometimes famous visitors to our field nurseries over the years, including a visit from a theatrical designer together with Landscape Architects firm Gillespies. The unique project was for Shakespeare`s New Place in Stratford–upon-Avon, which was the great writer’s family home from 1597 until his death in 1616. The house was eventually demolished in 1759. Instead of trying to produce a replica of the building, the vision was to produce a garden which would commemorate the importance of the site and allow visitors to make their own personal connection with Shakespeare. Following discussion of what was possible horticulturally and understanding of the artistic and dramatic vision required, a number of pleached trees were selected that now form a dramatic circle in the centre of the garden. Shakespeare`s New Place is a fantastic success, hugely popular with its many visitors. Hillier is pleased to have played a small part in this unique and historic project.

Prunus serrula on our nursery

Pleached Tilia euchlora

Shakespeare’s New Place gardens Olympic park

designing with trees - hillier tree guide

Evergreen Trees

Should you be trying to use more evergreen trees in your designs and landscape projects? Evergreen trees are very valuable, as they retain their foliage all year round. This huge advantage is amplified in an urban setting where they will provide critical structure, beauty and screening for everyone to appreciate.

Historic and Modern Markers

Traditionally, our native pine (Pinus sylvestris) was used as a marker in our natural landscape, to indicate the edges of a property or the route of a drive, or to help pick out a safe route across open, boggy moorland. Such planting still exists today and when you look at our landscape, trees are often placed fairly strategically, marking ancient routes or avenues. Majestic cedars always grace the grounds of beautiful country houses and the very oldest and most incredible yew (Taxus baccata), will always be found in a historic churchyard. Evergreen trees have had huge historic importance, but they are equally relevant today and contribute to the future landscapes we are creating. In urban areas, our evergreen trees still stand out, marking entrances to headquarters, defining a new cycle route or creating and defining a new vibrant urban square.

Healthy Trees

All trees are environmentally important and evergreens will work for us all year round. Pines are excellent at absorbing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) and help to produce clean air. Additionally, they provide shade and shelter and their canopy is there to help filter the rainfall and slow down the runoff of water during the critical winter months. Valuable and very hardworking, these evergreen trees are important for our nation’s health and well-being.

Some of our recommended pine species include:

Pinus nigra

A large and impressive tree. Ideal for screening and windbreaks and excellent in urban, coastal and exposed environments and tolerant of most soils.

Pinus

sylvestris (‘Scots Pine’)

Our native pine is a large, spreading tree. Initially pyramidal in form, ultimately the tree will open out and form a really attractive, irregular shape, often with the branches spreading and high on the bare leggy trunks. Each plant will be completely individual. These look especially good when planted in groups. Pinus sylvestris can be identified by its striking orange-brown bark and needles which are bluish-green.

Pinus pinea

This picturesque pine is very well suited to maritime conditions. The canopy is round or develops into an umbrella shape and is often seen growing on rugged Mediterranean hillsides alongside Cupressus sempervirens. This is a very ancient tree, and the seeds which are the pine nuts have been a delicacy for many years.

Encouraging Individuality

Over recent years at Hillier, we have been producing our pine trees not only as traditional standards and feathered but also as multi-stem forms, pom-pom pines, windswept pines and natural pines where the inherently curving trunk and sweeping branches are encouraged and emphasised rather than controlled.

These pines are a bit different and add instant character to a site.

Evergreens at Elephant and Castle

Elephant and Castle is a vibrant, multi-use and multi-phased development by Lendlease, in the heart of London. Hillier is the long-term tree supplier for this project and it has been quite amazing to watch this transformation of an urban area and the impact the trees have made — especially the evergreens. Visiting one dull February day, the recently planted public open space was already functioning and vibrant, edged with coffee shops and restaurants. Informal groups of pines have been arranged in the square, forming little copses which give character and scale. The pines, selected by Landscape Architects Gillespies from Hillier, have natural trunks and informal heads and are already working together to form a soft unified canopy. All of the planting here is very clever and designed to perform to its maximum all year.

Deciduous and evergreen trees work so well together in the natural landscape and frequently the evergreens will quietly support the impressive seasonality of the deciduous trees with the beautiful spring flowers or fabulous autumn colour. Look to nature and be inspired by her work and you will never go wrong.

Natural curve of the Pine trunks Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’

Pinus nigra Clouds in Airpots

Pinus nigra with a backdrop of Platanus hispanica

Group of Pine trees at Elephant and Castle

designing with trees - hillier tree

Multi-Stems

Natural-shaped trees such as multi-stems, bush forms or windswept are becoming increasingly popular and it is easy to understand why.

Often, site constraints — for example, within streets and car parks — mean trees are required to have a clear stem of at least 2 metres to maintain an open view. There are many occasions, however, when a multi-stem tree could and really should be used as the best plant for the job.

An Architectural Showpiece

Multi-stemmed trees are very sought after due to their ornamental features, but they can also become an architectural showpiece.

Frequently, multi-stems will have their canopies raised or ‘legged up’ to show off the stems or trunks to their very best. These leggy multi-stems look very elegant and will often be very simply underplanted or positioned in a hardstanding to create a stunning structural statement.

Instant Structural Impact

Because they have several stems, multi-stems have the advantage of creating interesting structural forms that give much-needed interest at eye level. For those species that have amazing bark, as multi-stems the effect is maximised. The canopies of multi-stemmed trees are also fairly natural, with far more foliage due to the fact there are several stems. They create fabulous instant impact at sizes such as 3 – 3.5 m high, which are also fairly cost-effective.

An Urban Glade

A single, well-selected multi-stem can have great presence and create a unique feature in front of a building or in a courtyard. In larger spaces, groups of multi-stems can be used together in a formal way — to define a footpath, for example — or in a more naturalistic way to create a woodland glade. Multistems planted with random spacing, combined with simple groundcover plants or just bulbs could suggest a woodland edge and create a wonderful, restful landscape for people to

travel through or to stop and enjoy in a busy urban setting. Now even on our streets, some designers are creating larger spaces for trees and trying to create a woodland feel in the heart of our cities using multi-stems.

showstopper that will cope well with slightly damper conditions. The colour on the bark is very warm and ranges from pink to brown to orange hues and the attractive peeling bark remains on the trunk to give a unique textural look.

Fantastic Form, Flower and Autumn Colour.

Multi-stems can form the most wonderful feature trees and create a memorable setting. The courtyard pictured here (designed by Sarah Price) uses the naturalistic and in this case rather quirky form of Amelanchier to create an interesting space which complements the building and hard landscaping. Highlights are achieved in every season – in early spring, from the stunning white flowers, in summer the emerging bronze foliage and lush green leaves then in autumn one of the most exceptional displays of autumn colour. Amelanchier lamarckii is one of the hardest working, reliable and popular of all multi-stem trees.

Best for Bark

Many varieties of tree available as multi-stem offer fantastic interest from their bark. These are three of the best.

Prunus serrula

This has the most beautiful bark of any tree and it performs like a superstar all year round. Even on a damp and dull autumn day, the mahogany peeling bark catches your eye and draws you in. The stems shine and the peeling bark curls and stays on the stems taking on a deeper, richer tone that provides a fabulous contrast.

Betula utilis var. jacquemontii

Betula jacquemontii multi-stems, have an architecturally crisp look with their chalky white bark. This is a strong but elegant tree that will insist on being used on the very best projects where its beauty can be fully appreciated.

Betula nigra

The river birch with its fabulous, peeling bark is a real

Selecting Your Multi-stem

Many of the trees in the A-Z listing of this Tree Guide are available as a multi-stem. Look out for the multi-stem symbol next to the tree. For a complete list of multi-stems available from Hillier, please refer to the category listings pages of this guide.

designing with trees - hillier tree guide

Elms

Hillier Nurseries are proud to be the sole UK grower and supplier of the Resista® Elms. These have been bred to be 100% resistant to Dutch Elm Disease and consist of Ulmus ‘New Horizon’, Ulmus Fiorente and Ulmus ‘Rebona’.

In the 1970s and early 1980s, many millions of Elms succumbed to a new virulent strain of Dutch Elm Disease, drastically changing the landscape throughout the British Isles and Europe.

This terrible disease had already caused significant Elm deaths in America. As a result, the scientist Professor Smalley was already working on a breeding programme in the 1950s to find a resistant elm at the University of Wisconsin. He crossed two elms, Ulmus japonica and Ulmus pumila. The resultant seedlings, when they were large enough, were injected with the fungus that caused Dutch Elm Disease. Most seedlings died, but a few showed resistance and survived. These were re-crossed to strengthen the resistance and tested again. Further selection was made for form, leaf colour, vigour and hardiness.

Ultimately, this programme led to a range of Elms known as Resista® Elms. There are now half a dozen varieties available for planting in Europe, and Hillier Nurseries are the exclusive partner for the UK and Ireland. The first of these are Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ and Ulmus ‘Rebona’. Both grow on their own roots as they are propagated from cuttings. While they are on the nursery, they are micro-chipped so they are all traceable. This is important to protect the decades of research, the rights of the growers and should any problems arise, their provenance can be traced.

Long-term Success for Elms

Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ was formally launched by Hillier back in 2005 at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. This was the same year that the Elm was awarded Best New Plant at the Grower of the Year Awards. Tens of thousands of these new resistant Elms have now been planted the length and breadth of the

British Isles and in Europe — from Madrid to the Steppes of Russia – with no incident of any succumbing to Dutch Elm Disease.

A further positive outcome has been the ability of the elms to become a habitat for the endangered White-letter Hairstreak butterfly that relies on the Elm trees to breed. This once common butterfly experienced a catastrophic decline in population in line with the demise of the native Elm.

Both Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ and Ulmus ‘Rebona’ share the following characteristics:

• 100% Resistant to Dutch Elm Disease

• Tolerant of pollution

• Tolerant of salt (making them first class coastal trees)

• Tolerant of drought

• Tolerant of short-term waterlogging

• Very quick establishment

• Fast growing

• Tolerant of weather extremes – hot and cold temperatures

• Great for insects, in particular the endangered Whiteletter Hairstreak butterfly

The two hybrids differ in their form. Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ broadens to become a large tree with a rounded canopy. Ulmus ‘Rebona’ also becomes a large tree, but with a broadly columnar habit.

Rigorous trials are currently underway for further diseaseresistant Elm varieties.

Ulmus

‘New Horizon’

This medium to large tree forms an attractive rounded canopy in maturity, covered with green leaves. The leaves continue to look fresh even in drought conditions. This exciting Elm shares the same phenology as the native Elm and, as such, is a host to the extremely rare Whiteletter Hairstreak butterfly. This butterfly is native to the UK and is an endangered species, as Dutch Elm Disease all but decimated their natural habitat. The UK charity Butterfly Conservation has been monitoring the growing population of White-letter Hairstreak butterflies on a stand of Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ growing in Vauxhall Spring Gardens, London.

Ulmus ‘Fiorente’

This beautiful tree is a hybrid of Ulmus pumila from Italy, and Ulmus minor from Florence. It was bred by Professor Mittempergher and Dr. Santini at ResistaElm, with the name ‘Fiorente’ reflecting both its origin and the flowering aspect this tree provides.

Ulmus ‘Fiorente’ is strikingly beautiful in the most elegant way. Its dominant central

leader is surrounded by graceful branches that flow and cascade upwards. After its fifth year, it will flower in the early spring, followed by lush green leaves which are pubescent (softly hairy) underneath. These leaves are known to remain green long into the autumn, sometimes retained into December.

This is an ideal tree for avenue planting, or as a prominent feature in designer gardens and stately homes.

Ulmus ‘Rebona’

While very similar to its older brother, Ulmus ‘New Horizon’, U. ‘Rebona’ is even easier to maintain due to its strong central leader and formal branch structure. Its leaves are a little smaller than those of U. ‘New Horizon’ and darker shades of emerald, which shine brightly in the sunshine.

This Elm is extremely tolerant of adverse

conditions, including prolonged periods of flooding. It will succeed in highly exposed locations, even next to the coast with salt spray. This is a perfect choice for car parks, central reservations and inner-city locations. Its clean form also allows its selection where maintenance and chainsaw use will be prohibited.

Ulmus leaf

Ulmus planting along the River Severn

White Letter Hairstreak Butterfly on Ulmus New Horizon

Ulmus canopy

Making an Entrance

The welcoming majesty of trees makes them ideally suited as part of an impressive entrance. Single variety sweeping avenues into estates, or spectacular specimens, set the tone for visitors.

The National Memorial Arboretum Visitor Centre

The National Memorial Arboretum (NMA) in Staffordshire is the UK’s centre of remembrance, a spiritually uplifting place which honours the fallen and recognises service and sacrifice. It is a place for reflection and over 30,000 young trees have been planted over the 150-acre grounds. With 300 dedicated memorials, it has a living and lasting legacy.

The visitor centre gardens and entrances have been designed very cleverly by award-winning landscape architects Fira. The entrance road and carpark sets the scene; people arriving

from hectic journeys and stressful lives are immediately surrounded by beautiful trees and shrubs and the calming reflection begins.

Fira came to Hillier to select a number of very special trees for the new visitor centre entrance, in the form of elegant but uncompromising cube-headed Quercus palustris. These unique cube-headed oak trees enhance the building and lead the guest to the entrance of the visitor centre where friendly, kind, volunteers offer a greeting.

The NMA is seen as a place of joy, but the stories told there are powerful, disturbing, emotional and humbling. It`s hard to believe the suffering endured by the people who are remembered at this peaceful, uplifting and inspiring place. Please visit when you can, it’s an important place that deserves your time.

Transforming RHS Garden Wisley

A new avenue of Prunus x yedoensis supplied by Hillier to RHS Garden Wisley as part of a major revamp is just one example of using trees to make an entrance.

The world-famous Royal Horticultural Society flagship garden, Wisley, began a huge transformation process in 2011 to upgrade the visitor experience — a task that would take many years to complete. Of utmost importance was a new entrance to reflect the importance of the gardens and a sense of arrival. Renowned landscape architect Christopher Bradley-Hole was commissioned to design the landscape around the new Welcome building, with an emphasis on British horticulture and trees taking centre stage.

Hillier was delighted to be contacted to be involved in the project and at an early stage in its creation. Christopher Bradley-Hole and the RHS Garden Wisley team choose the desired trees from Hillier before ground had even been broken.

Platanus x hispanica parasol growing on our nursery

Entrance to The National Memorial Arboretum

Contract Potting

The chosen Prunus x yedoensis trees were tagged at our field nurseries in Liss, Petersfield – conveniently located a short drive from RHS Garden Wisley - in 2016. They were lifted as root-balled trees and transported to our Broadmead Container Nursery near Romsey. There they were containerised in air-pots to root through and be ready for planting whenever the project dictated.

Matthew Pottage, RHS Garden Wisley curator, and his team were able to regularly inspect the trees over a two-year period. During this time, the prunus, along with roof-trained planes that Hillier were nurturing from a partner nursery, established in their pots.

The trees were planted out at RHS Garden Wisley in spring 2019. As with many construction projects, the schedule overran, but because the trees had been containerised it didn’t matter. The trees were eventually planted when the Prunus x yedoensis were in full blossom, with the official opening to the public on 10th June 2019.

Prunus x yedoensis

Prunus x yedoensis, also known as the Yoshino Cherry, is the classic Japanese cherry. It has a lovely spreading habit and produces almond-scented flowers, blushed white, in great profusion in March to April. This tree was specified by Christopher Bradley-Hole and the RHS to create a beautiful spectacle and real drama highlighting the entrance to RHS Garden Wisley.

RHS Wisley opening - Image Credit Ollie Dixon RHS Wisley entrance

Prunus x yedoensis flower Tree planting RHS Wisley

designing with trees - hillier tree guide

Bee Friendly Trees

Many species of wildlife are, unfortunately, in a state of decline. A 2019 study into the global decline of insects and bees revealed that in the UK alone, one-third of 353 wild bee and pollinating species have experienced significant decline. Globally the total mass of all pollinating insects is decreasing by 2.5% each year.

Known as the sixth extinction, the main reason for bee decline is climate change, industrial agriculture and pesticides. This is different to the past major fauna collapses from ice ages etc, as it is occurring due to the actions of man.

Against this backdrop, it is easy to understand why beefriendly trees have become such an important specification within our urban areas.

European countries are mandating the protection and restoration of pollinator habitats. Whether it is planting a tree in your garden, or specification of avenue planting within urban locations, we can all assist by ensuring more bee-friendly trees are grown across the UK.

Recommended Trees for Bees

Tilia (small or large leafed)

Bees simply cannot get enough of tilias. Thousands of these have been planted throughout Birmingham because of their attractiveness to bees. When in blossom, a profusion of small ivory flowers adorns the canopy. These face the ground, which is believed to have evolved to keep the nectar from the rain above. They produce nectar in abundance through the morning hours when it is slightly cooler.

See Tree Guide A-Z.

Salix alba ‘White Willow’

This early breakfast treat is the first tree to provide proteinrich pollen for bees after the cold winter. It is a much needed boost and the beginning of bees’ efforts to restore their depleted honey reserves. See Tree Guide A-Z.

Prunus avium ‘Wild Cherry’

This native cherry variety is found throughout our rural hedgerows. Its blossom is rich in nectar- pollen, is very attractive to bees as well as butterflies, birds and other pollinators. See Tree Guide A-Z.

Liriodendron tulipifera

It is well known that a single tulip tree can produce more nectar than several acres of clover fields. Studies have shown that a single liriodendron can produce 4.5kg of nectar whilst in flower. Bees will always throng to this tall beacon of nectar wealth. See Tree Guide A-Z.

Quercus robur

The English Oak may not be known for its pollen, but it does offer an abundance of honey dew from the different aphids it shelters. When nectar supplies are short, bees will gladly use this sugar ration to keep them going. They will even enjoy the sugar rich aphid waste on the leaves. Most importantly, come the winter when the bees are most vulnerable, they look for the mighty Oak to provide the greatest of shelters. See Tree Guide A-Z.

Calendar of Pollen Blossom

February: Alnus cordata and Salix alba

March: Prunus cerasifera and Corylus avellana

April: Prunus avium, Acer campestre and Liquidambar

May: Sorbus aucuparia ‘Streetwise’ and Crataegus

monogyna

June: Liriodendron tulipifera

July: Castanea sativa and Tilia platyphyllos ‘Streetwise’

August: Catalpa bignonioides

Trees to Combat Pollution

All trees have a positive impact on their environment. Research suggests that some have particularly strong attributes for improving air quality.

Our recommended tree list highlights varieties that are particularly strong in three areas of pollution:

Removing air pollution particulates (PM2.5)

PM2.5 air particulates are those fine, miniscule particulates found in car exhausts, for example. These are dangerous and can cause a myriad of breathing and heart problems.

CO2 sequestration

All trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air to some extent, but some varieties are particularly proficient.

Countering the Urban Heat Island effect (UHI)

Man-made construction materials concentrated in a small area – like roads and buildings – can cause higher temperatures by absorbing heat and radiating it back into the environment. All trees have the ability to counter this by cooling their immediate surrounds through transpiration and creating shade. Again, some trees are particularly powerful in this regard.

Pollution combatting tree list to the right

A tick indicates a high rating against that topic.

Please note, this is not an exhaustive list and will continue to expand as more trees are subject to tests.

One further tree to acknowledge is Hippophae salicifolia ‘Streetwise.’ One form of pollution that can penetrate soil is salt – particularly from de-icing roads. This is a stand-out tree, proven to remove road salts from the soil.

Acknowledgement and thanks to Katerina Hadincova of Barnet Council for compiling the information from the original research:

“Ranking the suitability of common urban species for controlling PM2.5 pollution”

Jun Yang, Yamin Chang, Pengbo Yan

“The Urban Forest, Cultivating Green Infrastructure for People and the Environment”

David Pearlmutter, Carlo Calfapietra, Roeland Samson, Liz O’Brien, Silvija Krajter Ostoic, Giovanni Sanesi, Rocio Alenso.

“Variation in Nitrogen Dioxide assimilation among 217 plant taxa”

Faculty of Science, Hiroshima University

Acer campestre (and cultivars)

Acer platanoides (and cultivars)

Acer rubrum (and cultivars)

Aesculus indica

Alnus (all species and cultivars)

Betula albosinensis/ermanii/nigra/ utilis (and cultivars)

Betula pendula (and cultivars)

Carpinus betulus (and cultivars)

Castanea sativa

Corylus colurna

Crataegus laevigata Paul’s Scarlet

Fagus sylvatica

Juglans nigra

Juglans regia

Liriodendron tulipifera

Magnolia Galaxy

Magnolia Kobus

Malus (all)

Pinus nigra/sylvestris

Platanus hispanica

Prunus Accolade

Pyrus Chanticleer

Quercus robur (and cultivars)

Salix alba

Sorbus aria (and cultivars)

Sorbus aucuparia (and cultivars)

Taxus and Taxodium

Tilia cordata, euchlora and tomentosa (and cultivars)

Tilia Platyphyllos (and cultivars)

Ulmus New Horizon, Rebona and Fiorente

Removing air pollution CO2 sequestration

Countering UHI

Avenue of Tilia c. Greenspire in the Olympic Park

Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)

With more frequent periods of extreme rainfall occurring, designers are looking for new solutions to manage surface water runoff in our urban locations.

The cost of flooding to the UK economy in 2019 alone has been estimated at £270 million. This has put increased focus on some vital questions about rainwater management:

• Where will rainwater land and where will it collect?

• Where will it migrate to (i.e. what is its easiest pathway)?

• Where will the rainwater discharge?

For this reason, Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) are becoming of paramount importance within the design of our green infrastructure. These SUDS utilise natural water systems such as trees, ponds and swales to minimise the risk of flash floods after sudden heavy rainfall. This approach gives designers the possibility of using the natural landscape and its benefits for water management, as opposed to hidden networks of pipes.

Trees intercept rainfall, holding it within their canopy and leaves. This allows it to slowly trickle down the branches and into the ground over a prolonged period of time. One single tree with a large canopy size, such as Tilia cordata, can hold over 4,500 litres of rainfall in an average year. A percentage of this rain will then evaporate directly from the leaves, significantly reducing the speed of storm water runoff. Urban flooding usually occurs once the canopy storage of trees has been exceeded. Green open spaces densely planted with trees can be utilised as storm water retention areas. This allows the soil to take the excessive stormwater and for the trees to disperse it back into the atmosphere through transpiration, increasing the soil permeability. For this, swells are created for accumulated stormwater to migrate. Trees planted here are species that thrive within periods of waterlogging and are able in these situations to

uptake the water from the soil and transpire it back into the atmosphere. Due to their location, these trees must also be able to tolerate dry periods and urban pollution, which collects within the water.

A number of trees have been noted for their use with SUDS. These include trees with large canopies to intercept and hold rainfall along with trees that thrive in locations prone to sudden flooding. These are ideal varieties to specify within areas designed to collect stormwater runoff.

Recommended SUDS Trees

Liquidambar styraciflua

Alongside a canopy of large leaves, this tree has corky, crocodile-like bark that also helps hold rainwater. It enjoys wet locations and periods of waterlogging. For tight, condensed areas where storm water migrates, try mass planting of Liquidambar styraciflua ‘Slender Silhouette’.

Liquidambar leaf Liquidambar bark

Pinus sylvestris

This large evergreen tree captures rainfall throughout its dense canopy all year round. It has a tolerance for flash flooding and periods of dry weather.

Ulmus ‘New Horizon’

This is a full canopied tree that excels in both prolonged waterlogged and dry periods. It makes an excellent tree for inner city areas and will develop a full, dense canopy of lush leaves even within very poor locations.

Hippophae salicifolia ‘Streetwise’

The sea buckthorn can thrive in even the most difficult of inner-city locations. Its leaves are willow-like, capturing rainfall nine months of the year whilst also tolerating salt and gritters.

Platanus x hispanica

This large, spreading tree has large leaves that can grow to 15cm across. This makes it ideal for capturing rainfall, with its long limbs slowing the process of water entering the soil or urban locations.

Alnus cordata

The Italian Alder is able to withstand periods of water logging. It is also extremely tolerant of poor soil conditions and, unlike most alders, it tolerates dry sites well and will grow swiftly in difficult exposed locations with strong winds.

Quercus palustris

This large canopied oak thrives within wet locations. Its large form quickly transpires water, relieving the soil, making it an ideal tree for capturing rainfall and transpiring storm water runoff.

Betula nigra

This is a perfect tree for difficult locations that are prone to waterlogging. The bark offers all season interest, while also being well-suited for areas of urban stormwater run off.

Metasequoia glytostroboides

This imposing pyramidal tree has a horizontal branch structure that captures and holds large quantities of rainfall. It succeeds well in waterlogged locations, successfully holding and dispersing stormwater.

designing with trees - hillier tree guide

trees for a purpose

Multi Stem Trees

Betula

Malus ‘Adirondack’

Photinia

Pinus nigra

Prunus avium

Prunus cerasifera

Prunus ‘Ichiyo’

Prunus ‘Mount Fuji’ (‘Shirotae’) S

Prunus ‘Pandora’ S

Prunus sargentii ‘Columnaris’ S

Salix babylonica var. pekinensis ‘Tortuosa’ S/M

Salix x sepulcralis ‘Erythroflexuosa’ S/M

Evergreen Trees

Cedrus atlantica Glauca L

Cedrus deodara 'Aurea'

Ilex x altaclerensis 'James G. Esson'

Ilex x koehneana 'Chestnut Leaf'

Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’

Native

Suitable Trees for Roof Gardens

Coastal Trees

Autumn Colour

Acer campestre 'Streetwise' M Acer davidii and cv's S

Acer x freemanii Autumn Blaze L Acer griseum

Acer platanoides 'Emerald Queen'

Prunus 'Sunset Boulevard' M

Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' M

Quercus palustris

Sorbus commixta 'Embley' S

Sorbus commixta 'Olympic Flame' S

Flowering Trees

Aesculus x carnea 'Briotii' M/L

Aesculus hippocastanum 'Baumannii' L

Amelanchier lamarckii S

Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet' S

Crataegus monogyna S

Crataegus persimilis 'Prunifolia' S

Gleditsia triacanthos 'Skyline' M

Liriodendron tulipifera L

Magnolia Galaxy M

Magnolia grandiflora 'Ferruginea' M

Magnolia kobus M

Magnolia salicifolia 'Wada's Memory'

SUDS and Swales

Small, Ornamental Trees

Acer palmatum 'Red Wings' S

Amelanchier lamarckii 'Robin Hill' S

Betula albosinensis 'China Ruby' S

Betula albosinensis 'Fascination' M Betula utilis and cv's S

Drought Tolerant Trees

Trees Tolerant to Waterlogging and Damp Conditions

trees for a purpose - hillier tree guide

Trees Suitable for Car Parks

Trees with a Narrow Habit

Acer campestre 'William Caldwell' M

Acer x freemanii ‘Armstrong’ L

Acer platanoides 'Columnare' M

Acer platanoides 'Crimson Sentry' M

Alnus cordata M

Amelanchier lamarckii 'Robin Hill' S

Betula pendula 'Zwisters Glory' M

Betula 'Edinburgh' M

Carpinus betulus 'Lucas' M/L

Liquidamber styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette' M

Magnolia kobus S

Malus trilobata S

Malus tschonoskii S

Metasequoia glyptostroboides L

Prunus sargentii 'Rancho' S

Prunus 'Snow Goose' S

Prunus 'Spire' S

Prunus 'Sunset Boulevard' M

Pyrus calleryana 'Capital' M

Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' M

Quercus robur 'Fastigiata Koster' M/L

Sorbus aucuparia 'Streetwise' S

Trees with a Medium Sized Canopy

Acer campestre ‘Streetwise’ M

Acer x freemanii Autumn Blaze L

Betula nigra M

Betula pendula M

Betula utilis var. jacquemontii M

Betula utilis ‘Jermyns’ M

Carpinus betulus 'Streetwise' M/L

Corylus colurna M

Crataegus laevigata 'Paul's Scarlet' S

Ginkgo biloba M/L

Hippophae salicifolia 'Streetwise' M

Malus 'Evereste' S

Malus hupehensis S

Malus 'Red Profusion' S

Prunus 'Accolade' S

Prunus avium 'Plena' S

Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' S

Prunus 'Kanzan' S

Prunus 'Pandora' S

Prunus sargentii S

Sorbus aria 'Majestica' S

Sorbus commixta 'Embley' S

Sorbus commixta 'Olympic Flame' S

Sorbus 'Glowing Pink' S

Sorbus hupehensis S

Sorbus 'Sunshine' S

Tilia cordata ‘Rancho’ M

Ulmus ‘New Horizon’ M/L

Ulmus ‘Rebona’

Trees with a Wide Canopy

Acer platanoides 'Crimson King' M Acer platanoides 'Deborah'

Acer platanoides 'Emerald Queen'

Street Trees - 30 of the Best!

Protecting trees, protecting our future

Founded in 2012, TreePans were created to protect trees and provide more water to the root system.

ü TreePans reduce evaporation from the soil, and funnel rainwater to the roots of the tree. They are the only product that expands with the growth of the tree, while delivering more water to the root system.

ü TreePans are designed to stop the need for mulch as they naturally kill off grass and weed competition.

ü TreePans protect the tree stem from strimmer or mower damage.

Whether you work in landscaping, urban planning, orchard growing, or any other tree projects, TreePans will save you TIME and MONEY by reducing labour costs, installation time, and tree mortality rates.

TreePans are designed to be reused

Once a tree has established, simply remove the TreePan and place it around another tree. TreePans protect your trees, property, and communities for years to come.

Please contact us for more information.

Hillier are the World Record holders at Chelsea Flower Show

Specifying Your Tree

When selecting your trees from Hillier, along with the variety you will need to specify the size of tree, requested as girth size in cm. Our weights and measures tables indicate how different girth sizes translate in terms of initial tree height. All trees start their lives growing in our fields. You can specify yours directly from the field as bare-root or root-ball; or container-grown from our container tree nursery. We consider the benefits of each below and our table indicates container pot size or root-ball size and weight depending on girth.

Table Showing approximate Height/Girth Size

Bare-root Trees

November to end of March

Bare-root plants are lifted from the ground, either by hand or, more usually, by mechanical means. Trees will be undercut and lifted, keeping as much of the root system intact as possible. However, even with a regularly transplanted tree with a relatively compact root system, approximately 25% of the root will be lost on lifting. Soil clinging to the root system will be shaken off, hence the term ‘bare-root’ and the tree should immediately be bagged. Co-extruded polythene should be used: these are bags which are extra thick, black inside and white outside to reflect heat. At Hillier all bare-root trees are placed in co-extruded bags at the time of lifting in the field. If this was not done the delicate fibrous roots would dry out very quickly and the tree would either die or struggle to survive on site because its root system has been severely damaged. Always specify co-extruded bags for bare-rooted trees and check that your trees are being handled correctly.

The benefits are:

• Good value for money

• Light to handle

• Quick to establish with correct after-care

Points to remember:

• Only trees under 18-20cm girth should be specified bare-root, and not Fagus, Betula, Quercus, Liriodendron, Liquidambar, Ginkgo, Parrotia and all conifers, these must be RB or CG

• Trees must be sealed in double thickness, co-extruded polythene bags after lifting

Root-balled Trees

November to April

Here the tree is lifted from the ground with the soil intact around the root system. On removal from the ground the root-ball is wrapped in biodegradable hessian and nongalvanised wire. The root-ball should be planted intact with the hessian and wire left on. Once planted, the non-galvanised wire soon breaks down and the hessian will rot, allowing the root system to develop. The whole benefit of ‘root-balling’ is that the root system remaining after lifting (you will lose about 35% of the root on a regularly transplanted tree) will not be disturbed during handling, transportation and planting.

The benefits are:

• Root system once lifted will not be disturbed

• Packaging bio-degrades

• Root-balled trees are protected from the rigours of commercial planting

Points to remember:

• All field grown trees 18-20cm girth and over must be rootballed

• Certain species that are field grown must be root-balled e.g. Fagus, Betula, Quercus, Liriodendron, Liquidambar, Cercidiphyllum, Eucalyptus, Gingko, Parrotia and all conifers

• Root-balled trees should be planted with hessian and wire left on to maintain the integrity of the root system

Weights & Measures

Container Grown Trees

Available all-year-round

Container grown trees have a ‘complete’ root system and should therefore establish well once planted. Trees are lifted either bare-rooted or root-balled and placed in a container (between November and March) and then grown on for at least one growing season, i.e. a tree ‘potted up’ in January would be fully rooted and ready for planting by September. The benefits are:

• No root loss during lifting

• Planting can take place 12 months of the year

• Hillier-handles make handling on site easier

Points to remember:

• Quercus ilex should always be specified as container grown

• Hillier trees are peat free

Guide of tree weights and dimensions

Soil Volumes: Tree Species & Canopy Size

Treecanopysize

One tree within a 25m³ GreenBlue Urban RootSpace System has 22% of volume available for stormwater attenuation.

Stormwater storage capacity

Use graph above to calculate your trees longevity based upon its species size.

Small Tree (3 m Canopy Diameter): 5m³

Small to Medium Tree (5m Canopy Diameter): 12m³

Tree Benefit Time Chart for a Typical Tree in Ideal Conditions

Benefit curve indicative of Field Maple Tree (Acer campestre)

Replanting every 10 yearsBenefits never realised from premature tree failure.

Medium Tree (6 m Canopy Diameter): 17m³

Medium to Large Tree (7 m Canopy Diameter): 24m³

Large Tree (8 m Canopy Diameter): 30m³

Benefits realised from adequate soil volume.

Age (Years)

Bene ts from a tree planted in adequate soil volume will continue to increase beyond 200 years.

Based on original research by Jeremy Barrell

Projected tree size at 25 years.

5m³

Small Tree Small to Medium Tree

Medium Tree

Medium to Large Tree

Large Tree

The definitive urban tree pit system

Greenblue Urban is the global leading solutions provider in assisting trees in their battle to establish in urban spaces.

Established over 30 years ago with more than 40 years’ experience in the landscaping industry GreenBlue provide exceptional expertise in planning, design and the installation of trees in the hard landscape.

Continued innovation and best practice methods allows UK onsite manufacturing using 100% recycled materials – contributing to over 550,000+ trees to flourish world-wide providing long term tree canopy for many years to come.

Drastically reduces time spent on specifying, quoting and ordering

A complete tree pit system ensures product compatibility

Benefit from our technical expertise and on-site support

Manufactured in the UK from 100% recycled material

Tree Aftercare Maintenance Checklist

Below are a series of maintenance guidance to aid successful establishment of your new tree.

Watering

The size of the tree on planting is an important factor in deciding how much irrigation is required. Below is a guide to how much water is required in the first year of planting. Watering maybe required for up to three years after planting to aid establishment.

Tree Ties and Underground Guying

Tree ties are vital in assisting tree establishment as they help prevent any wind rock. However, it is vitally important that in the growing season the ties are checked monthly to ensure that the ties are not cutting in to the cambium (bark) of the tree. If left the ties will effectively cause death to the tree through ‘strangulation’.

In the unlikely event that you need to tighten the guying then excavation down to the ratchet will be required.

Fertiliser

Compost and fertilisers will be applied at time of planting and therefore there should be no reason to feed the tree in the first season. However, if the tree is showing signs of nutrient deficiencies within the leaves, appropriate fertilisers are recommended at the manufacturer’s directions either through granular fertiliser at the tree base or liquid feeds directly onto the canopy. Generally the larger the tree the less likely it will require annual feeding.

Mulching and Weeding

It is important that competition for water and nutrients for the fibrous feeding roots is kept to a minimum and therefore it is advised to keep the area around the tree base weed free. Mulching should be undertaken to prevent weed growth, aid water retention, regulate temperatures around the roots and to cut down moisture loss from the soil surface where many fibrous roots are located. It can also draw nutrients out of the ground. Mulch should be applied to a depth of 3-4 inches and 12-18 inches wider than the root ball when planted.

• The quantity of water depends on factors such as soil type; tree type; weather conditions and time of year. Over watering of trees can be harmful

• The initial irrigation should take place immediately after planting

• The larger the canopy of your tree the greater the water loss through transpiration

• Irrigation should be directed on top of the root-ball and not around it

Your Contacts

Our Sales Team are on hand to assist with your planting project of every scale. Meet the team here.

Adam joined Hillier in 2018 as Sales Director. In 2022, following the retirement of Hossein Arshadii Adam took on the role of Amenity Director, and together with his senior management team he leads the division into their next exciting chapter. Adam has worked in horticulture for over 35 years.

AdamDunnett@hillier.co.uk

Gareth joined Hillier in 2021 as Sales Manager, overseeing and supporting the sales team, as well as overseeing the procurement function for the business. Gareth spent over 20 years with Coles Nurseries, firstly as a tree grower and for the last 13 years as their Sales Manager, bringing exceptional knowledge and experience to the Hillier team.

GarethAshenhurst@hillier.co.uk

Landscape Contract Sales Team

Caroline works primarily with Landscape Architects and Clients, advising on tree species selection and specifications, on landscape projects UK wide. She is very experienced in managing long term major tree supply projects and contract growing.

CarolineSwann@hillier.co.uk

Account Manager

James (Jim) Hillier gained much his horticultural experience working on nurseries in the US and Europe. Joining the family firm in 2003, he now manages tree sales for Landscape Contractors, Garden Design and Estate Management.

JamesHillier@hillier.co.uk

Tracy manages the Sales Support team and with her wealth of experience Tracy is the direct Sales Support for Jim Hillier, assisting Jim with any queries his customers might have on quotes, orders or deliveries.

TracyTowey@hillier.co.uk

Jamie assists clients nationally with the supply of quality, British-grown trees. This includes assisting contractors through tender and implementation stages and making recommendations for trees that meet the site requirements and purpose of their application.

JamesGormley@hillier.co.uk

Tracey Russell has worked at Hillier for 20 years. She supports Gareth Ashenhurst in the procurement of nursery stock and is the Senior Sales Support to Jamie Gormley, handling quotes, orders and deliveries for Jamie’s customers.

TraceyRussell@hillier.co.uk

Account Manager

Kate joined the Hillier sales team in 2022 as the Account Manager for London and surrounding areas. Coming most recently from a nursery production role as a plant propagator. Kate completed a diploma in horticulture whilst living in the US. Prior to moving in to horticultural, Kate had a successful career within the music and film production industry.

KateGriffiths@hillier.co.uk

Sales Support

Megan joined Hillier in 2022 as a Sales Support Administrator. This is Megan’s first role in the horticultural world coming from as administration / receptionist background. Megan will be supporting the Account Managers within the Landscape Contractor team.

MeganGosney@hillier.co.uk

Adam Dunnett Director

Gareth Ashenhurst Sales Manager

Caroline Swann

Business Development Manager

Jamie Gormley

Account Manager

James Hillier

Kate Griffiths

Tracy Towey Office Manager

Tracey Russell Senior Sales Support & Buyer

Megan Gosney

Local Authority Sales Team

Account

Vince joined Hillier in 2022 as an Account Manager focusing on the Local Authority market sector. Vince has spent his career in horticultural, including a number of roles within Leicestershires parks dept, as well as over 10 years in sales at Coles Nurseries.

VinceEdwards@hillier.co.uk

Account

Rachel has worked for Hillier Trees since 2016. Having started in a Sales Support role, Rachel trained on the nursery, experiencing tree growing first hand and building a wealth of tree knowledge. This extensive background has enabled Rachel to become responsible for her own accounts. Rachel, supported by Tracy Blake is the point of contact for Local Authority customers.

RachelJackson@hillier.co.uk

Cash & Carry Sales Team

Sales

Tracy works with Rachel Jackson and Vince Edwards within the Local Authority market. Tracy is always delighted to hear from any Local Authority customer and can help with queries on quotes, orders and deliveries.

TracyBlake@hillier.co.uk

Retail Tree Sales

Cash

Liz has been with Hillier since 2010 and joined the Cash & Carry in 2015 selling trees, shrubs and hedging to the Landscaping/Gardening Trades. She has recently been appointed as the Manager and is looking forward to many more exciting things to come.

LizWhatley@hillier.co.uk

Cash & Carry Sales

Bianka is new to Hillier having joined in early 2022 from a background in administration. She is developing her tree and plant knowledge and supports Liz at the Cash and Carry dealing with Landscape gardeners and designers.

LandscapeCollections@hillier.co.uk

Horticultural Manager Sunningdale

Bob joined Hillier in 1987, working at Hillier Liss, firstly as a General Plant Area Assistant, before taking over as Plant Area Manager. After 12 years, Bob was promoted to Garden Centre Manager at Hillier Braishfield. Throughout his time at Hillier, Bob has always sold Hillier trees and is now Horticultural Manager at Sunningdale which also encompasses tree sales and advice across the Hillier retail department.

BobMcQueen@hillier.co.uk

Vince Edwards

Manager

Rachel Jackson

Manager

Tracy Blake

Support

Liz Whatley

& Carry Manager

Bianka Seanor

Bob McQueen

Training & Development

Hillier Trees hosts free open days and events at our nurseries. We are also able to visit your office to deliver presentations as part of your company’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

range of events to suit all our customers. These provide a fantastic opportunity to see our tree range up close and learn about the care and expertise that enables us to supply top quality trees, nationwide, all year round.

Tree Talks and Training at Your Office

Experienced and knowledgeable Hillier staff can come to your office to give Continuing Professional Development (CPD) presentations on trees. Issues covered can include specification, species selection, semi-mature trees, designer trees and updates on current biosecurity issues. Talks are often held over lunchtime.

Studio tree time: Extra time can be given after office presentations to look at tree selections for current projects to help future proof projects in terms of plant diversity and biosecurity.

Please contact us to find out more about upcoming events or arrange a visit to your workplace.

Contact Us

Events at Hillier Nurseries

We regularly host open days, training sessions and ‘Meet the Supplier’ events at our nurseries in Hampshire. There are a

Use pages 164-165 to identify the best sales representative for your requirements and give us a call, we are very keen to hear from you!

FROM THE EAST (VIA M3/M27)

At junction 12, take the A335 exit to Eastleigh/ Chandlers Ford. Take first exit on first roundabout, straight over the second, take second exit on the third roundabout onto Hocombe Rd, continue onto Hook Rd and turn left onto A3090.

Destination will be on the right.

FROM THE WEST (VIA M27)

At junction 3, take the M271 exit to Southampton/ Docks, at the roundabout, take the first exit onto M271 heading to Romsey.

Take the second exit on the next two roundabouts and then the 1st exit onto Botley road. Turn right onto Highwood Ln then right again onto Halterworth Ln. Turn right onto A3090.

Destination will be on the left.

FROM PORTSMOUTH

From the A3 come off on to the Farnham Road, signposted ‘Liss’

Take the second right on to Andlers Ash Road. Go over the railway crossing and after ½ mile on the right hand side turn in to the main entrance to Hillier Andlers Ash.

FROM LONDON

From the A3 come off at junction signposted Liss. At the roundabout take the second exit on to Farnham Road.

Take the first left after 200 metres on to Andlers Ash Road.

Go over the railway crossing and after ½ mile on the right hand side turn in to the main entrance to Hillier Andlers Ash.

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

Hillier Broadmead Tree Nursery Hillier Braishfield Garden Centre

Hillier Brentry Nursery

Hillier Garden Centres Head Office (Ampfield House)

Hillier Woodlands Nursery

How to find us Broadmead - Romsey

Andlers Ash - Petersfield

The UK’s Leading Supplier of Semi-Mature Trees