Page 58 • The HERALD • 29th October 2026 v EMAIL YOUR NEWS: editor@herald-publishing.co.uk v Licence number: CBDL41292 • All types of trees expertly felled, topped & pruned • Stump Grinding • Hedges pruned & trimmed • Lawns Laid • Fencing & garden work • Rubbish Clearance • Patios & drives jet-washed • Patios & Drives resurfaced or replaced Registerd Waste Carrier Licence CBDU374716 H Fully Insured H Evening: 01794 522092 Daytime Mobile: 07511 863693 Email: treefellers@gmx.com • HEDGE CUTTING • FENCING • PATIOS • TURFING • GARDEN CLEARANCES & MORE For a FREE quotation please call 023 8122 4550 or 07548 355262 AUTUMN LEAF GARDEN WORKS DOWN THE GARDEN PATH Next Herald is out on 19th November CLIMATE-RESILIENT TREES Advice from Alasdair Urquhart, Haskins Garden Centres’ in-house plant expert National Tree Week (21st – 29th November) marks the start of the annual tree planting season. Unprecedented weather patterns this year have prompted new considerations for gardeners when choosing tree varieties and planting methods. Alasdair Urquhart, Haskins Garden Centres’ in-house plant expert shares advice on how to give trees the best chances of survival amid changing weather conditions. Tree varieties Many tree varieties have been under stress this year due to signi cant dry spells in the summer and ooding earlier in the year. Challenging weather conditions are likely to continue into next year, with El Niño showing no signs of waning, so it’s worth looking at climate-resilient tree varieties when planning around the planting season. Ornamental Hawthorn is a hardy small tree that copes well in severe heat and stormy conditions. Once it’s established, it has a deep root network which helps it bypass dried out surface soil, so it’s particularly drought resistant. It can also bounce back well from storm damage, resprouting with dense and vigorous new growth. ‘Paul’s Scarlet’ is a popular variety of hawthorn, with its neat, rounded canopy blossoming with double crimson-pink owers in May and June. At only 4-6 metres tall, it’s easy to manage and tolerates a vast range of conditions, from urban pollution to strong coastal winds. ‘Rosea Flore Pleno’ is equally beautiful with soft, rose-pink owers, and it’s known for being exceptionally hardy in damp or exposed settings. ‘Prunifolia’ is a top choice for autumn, with its glossy dark green leaves turning orange, scarlet and purple, and emerging bright red winter berries in September and October. Liquidambar, also known as Sweet Gum, is another attractive species which is highly tolerant of unprecedented weather conditions. As a native to the warmer parts of North America, it copes well with hot summers once established. ‘Worplesdon’ is a popular variety, with striking star-shaped leaves. Unlike other Sweet Gums, its leaves colour well in wetter UK autumns, as well as hot summers. ‘Dark Autumn’ is a Sweet Gum variety of choice for smaller, suburban gardens as it stays compact, only topping out to 4 to 6 metres high. It unveils a wine-red canopy in October, which sheds to reveal a clean winter silhouette. I’d also recommend Field Maple, which is a highly adaptable UK native recommended by the RHS for climate resilience. Compared to other maple species, it copes well with both heavy waterlogged soil and baked, dry soils. Persian Ironwood is another spectacular species, adorned with yellow-red autumn foliage. It endures cold winters and heavy winters, and thrives in most heavy UK soils. Planting methods Plant trees while the ground is workable to give them the best chances of establishment. Mild spells in early winter are perfect for planting, as the soil still warm and regular winter rain keeps soil so and moist, so roots can gently expand without being waterlogged. Pit planting is an e ective method for most ground types, especially those prone to drought. It involves digging a hole which is around two times wider than the root ball and roughly the same depth as roots to prevent them from bending. It’s important to provide generous watering for the rst couple of growing seasons until a tree properly establishes. You can use a deep-root watering tube to reach feeder roots. Add a layer of organic mulch around the tree base to protect soil from drying out and ensure to keep the surrounding area weed-free to conserve soil moisture. Climate-resilient tree species like Ornamental Hawthorn and Liquidambar need virtually no regular pruning once they’re established. Every few years, focus on removing dead, damaged, or diseased branches, along with any crossing branches which may rub together. For more expert gardening advice, visit: https://www. haskins.co.uk/seasonal-advice Blackfield Flower Club Black eld Flower Club meetings take place at the Royal British Legion, Exbury Road, Black eld, SO45 1XD – visitors welcome. eir next meeting is on 10th November, there will be a demonstration entitled ‘A Gin and Tonic’ by Morgan Douglas Nuth, national demonstrator – visitors welcome, contact Jan Gordon on: 023 8084 4835 for more details.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyNzI=