Pleached Sweetgum Trees
What are Pleached Trees?
At Harrod Outdoors, we characterise pleached trees as hedging on stilts. These trees are trained as a form of horticultural artistry to offer privacy, form, and structure to gardens seeking privacy. The technique of pleaching involves intricately weaving and tying the branches of trees into a carefully designed framework to form a thin rectangular canopy. This method provides an elevated, structured screen that is both functional and decorative.
Why Choose Pleached Sweetgum Trees?
Pleached Sweetgum trees are increasingly popular in garden design and landscaping, particularly due to the rise of more overlooked properties. They provide excellent privacy without taking up too much ground space, making them perfect for smaller gardens or urban settings. Their elevated canopies add a unique architectural element to the landscape, creating a striking visual impact. Additionally, Sweetgum trees are known for their dense foliage and vibrant autumn colours, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of pleached forms.
Height and Growth
Pleached Sweetgum trees can grow to an impressive height, reaching up to 12 by 8 meters spread if left untrimmed. This makes them suitable for creating substantial privacy screens and architectural features in gardens. They have a moderate growth rate, making them manageable yet effective for quick establishment in landscaping projects.
How to Care for Sweetgum Trees
Caring for Sweetgum trees involves regular watering, especially during the first year to help establish roots. They thrive in well-drained soil and benefit from full sun to partial shade. Annual pruning is essential to maintain the desired shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Regular inspections for pests and diseases ensure the health and longevity of your pleached trees.
Pros and Cons of Pleached Sweetgum
Pleached Sweetgum offers numerous benefits, making these trees a desirable choice for many gardeners. Their dense foliage and elevated canopies provide excellent privacy screens, blocking views from neighbouring properties while maintaining an open, airy feel beneath. Furthermore, their vibrant autumn colours and unique form add significant visual interest to gardens. These trees also act as effective windbreaks, reducing wind speed and protecting other garden plants. On the other hand, they require regular pruning to maintain the pleached form. Additionally, the spiky seed pods can be a nuisance when they fall, requiring clean-up, and as deciduous trees, they drop their leaves in autumn, necessitating additional garden maintenance.
Varieties Suitable for Pleached Sweetgum Trees
Native Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua): Known for its robust growth and adaptability, the native Sweetgum forms dense and vibrant pleached screens, providing excellent privacy and visual appeal.
Rotundifolia Sweetgum: This variety features rounded leaves and a compact growth habit, making it ideal for pleached forms in smaller gardens and urban landscapes. It offers effective privacy and a unique texture.
Slender Silhouette Sweetgum: With its narrow, columnar shape, Slender Silhouette Sweetgum is perfect for creating tall, slender pleached screens in tight spaces. Its vibrant foliage and unique form make it a standout choice for modern garden designs.
Landscaping and Design
Pleached Sweetgum trees are versatile and can be used in various landscaping projects. They are perfect for creating structured boundaries, enhancing privacy, and adding vertical interest to garden designs. Landscapers use pleached trees to create elegant green walls, frame garden spaces, or line walkways and driveways. Their colourful foliage and unique form make them an excellent choice for both traditional and contemporary garden styles.
Conclusion
Pleached Sweetgum trees from Harrod Outdoors offer a sophisticated and practical solution for enhancing garden privacy and aesthetics. Varieties like native Sweetgum, Rotundifolia Sweetgum, and Slender Silhouette Sweetgum provide beautiful, low-maintenance pleached options. Discover the charm and versatility of pleached Sweetgum trees and transform your garden into a stunning outdoor space with Harrod Outdoors.
