The breath-taking beauty of tree-lined avenues: the 8 best trees to plant along driveways and sidewalks
A stroll down a tree-lined avenue is a romantic thing to do and can be enjoyed in many towns, parks and cities. But how about doing this for your driveway or garden paths? Well, this is a do-able project, depending on some determining factors.
Before starting a project like this, it is necessary to carefully study the shape and layout of your landscape: ask yourself how things might be in 10 years time, and take into consideration the presence of any electrical cables and underground water/gas pipes. Also pay attention to any structures that are in the immediate vicinity.
Choose trees that have deep, vertical root systems - species with wide root systems could end up damaging the foundations of nearby structures.
So what are the best trees to plant along the driveway/garden paths? We list 8 of these below:
1. Cherry trees
We all adore cherry tree blossoms, which are iconic of Japan. So why not go for these trees? They will look beautiful in spring with their pretty pink flowers; in early summer, they will give you cherries to eat and provide shade.
2. Tamarisk trees
This tree is resistant to the cold and salty air, making it particularly suitable for sandy, dry soils in coastal locations. Like the cherry tree, tamarisk trees will give you a wonderful bloom of small pink flowers in spring.
3. Lime trees
An ornamental tree that adapts to any environment and helps clean the air, the lime is often found lining city streets. Lime trees will provide shade along your driveway and will scent the air with thier sweet yellow flowers.
4. White oak
A long-lived tree with a large canopy, the white oak is rarely grown as an ornamental tree due to its large size. But if you have enough space, it is worth considering - if only for the shade it will give you.
5. Cypress trees
A tree native to central Italy (and especially in Tuscany), the cypress is the most used species for setting up tree-lined avenues. This is many due to the way it grows in a vertical manner, forming long orderly rows.
6. Ginkgo biloba
This tree is an ancient tree - a "living fossil" - and is highly appreciated for its very particular, beautiful fan-shaped leaves. Easy to grow, it is best to use male trees, since female trees produce fruit in autumn which smells unpleasant.
7. Prunus pissardii
Also known as the "flowering cherry tree", the prunus is an ornamental plum tree. This tree is perfect if you want to "wrap" your driveway or garden paths in colour: in March, the tree produces pink flowers; in summer, the flowers are then replaced by stunning purple leaves.
8. Saccharine maple
A tree common to Canadian gardens, the maple is capable of creating majestic rows which, in autumn, produce spectacular red and orange leaves.
Which of these trees would you like to line your driveway or garden paths?