Trees are differentiated according to, among other things, their growth speed. Slow-growing trees have the advantage that they often become very old - in contrast to fast-growing species, which often have to be replaced after just a few years or decades.
Which slow-growing trees are suitable for the garden?
Slow-growing trees for the garden include the sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua), the Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), the Norway maple (Acer platanoides), the European yew (Taxus baccata) and various oak species such as the Armenian oak (Quercus pontica) or the golden oak (Quercus robur).
The most beautiful slow-growing trees for the garden
However, as a garden owner you must not make the mistake of confusing “slow growing” with “remaining small”. The opposite is often the case: just because a tree only grows a few centimeters per year, it can still become very large with age. Conversely, this rule also applies: the very fast-growing paulownia, for example, only grows to around ten meters high.
Amber tree (Liquidambar styraciflua)
The very slow-growing, summer-green sweetgum tree reaches a height of between ten and 20 meters. Due to its narrow, conical crowns, it still finds enough space even in medium-sized gardens. This can grow up to ten meters wide as it ages. The leaves turn brightly colored early in the fall, ranging from purplish-brown to deep red to orange and yellow. The tree is somewhat sensitive to frost in its youth.
Japanese Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
The popular Japanese maple, originally from East Asia, is often planted as a solitary specimen near ponds, in courtyards or in large planters or combined with ferns, grasses, bamboo and small trees. The very diverse species needs a sunny to light shaded location that is sheltered from the wind.
Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
The Norway maple, which is native to us, grows slowly but steadily into a stately tree up to 30 meters high with an impressive crown. The tree requires a sunny to partially shaded location and is also suitable for an urban climate.
European Yew (Taxus baccata)
The European yew is probably one of the best-known and oldest coniferous trees in Germany. The slow-growing, extremely long-lasting tree can be used in many ways in the garden, for example as a trimmed hedge plant and topiary, for privacy or wind protection, in groups or as a solitary plant.
Oak (Quercus)
There are numerous species of oak, some of which are also very suitable for small gardens. In contrast to many other large-crowned oaks, the Armenian oak (Quercus pontica), for example, only reaches a maximum height of six meters. With growth heights of up to 20 meters, the scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) and the swamp oak (Quercus palustris) grow significantly taller. The golden oak (Quercus robur), which only grows to a height of 15 meters, is also considered weak-growing.
Tip
The tree hazel (Corylus colurna) is also considered slow-growing, but due to its size it is only suitable for large gardens and parks.
