Beautiful Bark on Deciduous Trees

Consider the textural trunks of these captivating trees for winter interest

fare wintertime , when garden go muted in theNortheast , most of us become so hard up for visual input that we finally get excited abouttree barque . Now that our eyes have conform towinter , trees ’ designer hue and barque patterns are more noticeable , and even thrilling .

Learn more : Tips for design with Trees in the Garden

It ’s comfortable to fall for exfoliating barque . Only gardeners in the northernmost reaches of our region with consistently wet soil can uprise the classic native paperbark birch ( Betula papyrifera , Zones 2–6 ) . The rest of us enjoy the wild pink Peel of river birch ( B. nigra , Zones 4–9 ) , a multitrunked aboriginal tree that is tolerant of rut , humidness , and drouth .

Another standout , paperbark maple ( Acer griseum , Zones 4–8 ) displays elegant Cu ringlet and is dead sized for small-scale garden with systematically moist soil . The same is true of Japanese stewartia ( Stewartia pseudocamellia , Zones 5–8 ) , which is coveted as much for its multicolored puzzle - piece bark as its early summer camelia - alike flowers . Japanese clethra ( Clethra barbinervis , Zones 5–8 ) is an even smaller tree with midsummer racemes of pollinator - attracter flowers and delicately shedding silver - over - pink bark . All grow in full Sunday to partial tone .

Mushrooms found on or around tree diagram can indicate poor health , but it ’s OK to wish lichen . The hopeful greenish blotches and tufts of this opportunistic composite organism ( an alga and fungus squad ) take up benign and decorous manse on trunks , branches , and other unchanging surfaces that get plenty of illumination . Lichen is an effect of defoliation and disease , not the cause . It also ca n’t tolerate air pollution , so wherever you see it on trees , rocks , and fenceposts , breathe easy .

When you total trees to your garden , pattern with winter in head : even “ boring ” bark will look more interesting against contrasting textures and colouring material . Always site trees in optimal sun and soil for the specie , and plant them at the right profoundness . ( See more onhow to plant a balled and burlapped tree . ) When trees are young and their bark is smooth and sparse , they are particularly vulnerable to wrong from slowness and well - intentioned intervention . Keep lawnmowers and string trimmers away , and just say no to volcano mulching or any other treatment that blocks visible light and air . Nongardeners might recall we ’re around the bend for geeking out about bark , but trees ’ lives calculate on our discernment for the crucial role it plays .

— Kristin Green is the writer ofPlantiful : startle Small , Grow Big With 150 Plants That Spread , Self - sow , and Overwinter . She gardens in Bristol , Rhode Island .

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