class: center, middle # Canopy layer _Plant the big trees_  ##### [The Backyard Forest](https://alpha.backyardforest.uk/) by [Jake Rayson](https://www.forestgarden.wales/) [alpha.backyardforest.uk/canopy](https://alpha.backyardforest.uk/canopy/) ###### **Press `P` to see notes and credits**
Work licensed under [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/), embedded work may have other licenses. ??? * Greetings & welcome to The Backyard Forest * This is section 6, all about the canopy layer, the big trees * Before we begin, couple of things to be aware of * Slideshow always available online * Press `p` for notes --- # Course overview
1. [Introducing](../intro/) 2. [Plan](../plan/) 3. [Design](../design/) 4. [
Protect
](../protect/) 5. [
Perennial Veg
](../veg/) 6. [
Canopy
](../canopy/) π 7. [Ground Prep](../prep/) 8. [Shrubs & Ground Cover](../shrubs/) ??? * Course divided into 3 parts * First 3 are about watching & thinking * Next 3 are *structural* planting * Last 2 are filling in the structure --- # What youβll learn  * Choosing tree species * Planning trees * Tree planting
Species β Planning β Planting
??? * Check [Creating a Forest Garden](https://www.agroforestry.co.uk/product/creating-a-forest-garden-2/), lots of info * Can also recommend Martin Crawford book [Trees for gardens, orchard and permaculture](https://www.agroforestry.co.uk/product/tree-for-gardens-orchards-and-permaculture/) --- class: middle, center # 1. Species
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- # 1. Species  1. Choose π 2. Fruit trees 3. Nut trees 4. Other trees
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- # 1.1 Choose  * Crop π * Size * Position * Wildlife
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * Fruit, nuts, leaves, sticks, firewood --- # 1.1 Choose  * Crop * Size π * Position * Wildlife
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * Choose for size of garden * Small garden can have trees, depends on size **and** shape eg Italian Alder --- # 1.1 Choose  * Crop * Size * Position π * Wildlife
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * How exposed? Make shelter! * How close to buildings, utilities, neighbours? --- # 1.1 Choose  * Crop * Size * Position * Wildlife π
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * Trees encourage wildlife * Native trees generally better for wildlife * Hawthorn example, supports [at least 200 species of insect as a food plant](https://www.brc.ac.uk/dbif/hostsresults.aspx?hostid=1665) * Can have [family tree](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit_tree_propagation#Family_tree) with multiple species on one rootstock. Normally apples but could have hawthorn! --- # 1. Species  1. Choose 2. Fruit trees π 3. Nut trees 4. Other trees
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- # 1.2 Fruit trees  * [Rootstock](/rootstock/) π * [OrangePippin.com](https://www.orangepippin.com/) * Flowering group * Prune
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * Consider training fruit tree for smaller space --- # 1.2 Fruit trees  * [Rootstock](/rootstock/) * [OrangePippin.com](https://www.orangepippin.com/) π * Flowering group * Prune
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- # 1.2 Fruit trees  * [Rootstock](/rootstock/) * [OrangePippin.com](https://www.orangepippin.com/) * Flowering group π * Prune
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * Many fruit trees require a pollinating partner, ie they aren't self fertile. * Check with [RHS](https://www.rhs.org.uk) PDF [Apple Pollination Groups](https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/pdfs/applepollinationgroups.pdf) --- # 1.2 Fruit trees  * [Rootstock](/rootstock/) * [OrangePippin.com](https://www.orangepippin.com/) * Flowering group * Prune π
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * Learn how to prune! Find local workshop. * Cultivated fruit trees need pruning * Increases harvest, prevents disease * Overloaded fruit tree can damage tree Photo is [Martin Hayes](https://www.theapplemancan.uk), working with [The Peopleβs Orchard](http://www.stdogmaelsabbey.org.uk/peoplesorchard) in St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire --- # Unusual fruits  * Hawthorn π * Sea Buckthorn * Cornus * Juneberry * Elaeagnus
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- # Unusual fruits  * Hawthorn * Sea Buckthorn π * Cornus * Juneberry * Elaeagnus
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- # Unusual fruits  * Hawthorn * Sea Buckthorn * Cornus π * Juneberry * Elaeagnus
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * Cornus capitata, Benthamβs Cornel * Cornus kousa, very ornamental --- # Unusual fruits  * Hawthorn * Sea Buckthorn * Cornus * Juneberry π * Elaeagnus
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * Some Amelanchiers beautiful trees, A. canadensis, A. lamarckii * Shrubby Saskatoon A. alinfolia more productive --- # Unusual fruits  * Hawthorn * Sea Buckthorn * Cornus * Juneberry * Elaeagnus π
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * E. umbellata & E. x ebbingei, pretty big to about 5m * Quite shrubby! * Goumi E. multiflora smaller still --- # 1. Species  1. Choose 2. Fruit trees 3. Nut trees π 4. Other trees
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- # 1.3 Nut trees  * Harvest π * Squirrels * Hazel * Sweet Chestnut
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * Martin Crawford book, [How to grow your own nuts](https://www.agroforestry.co.uk/product/how-to-grow-your-own-nuts/) * [Nut Wizard](http://www.nutwizard.com/) * Check your ground cover doesnβt hide nuts! Can use tarpaulin for harvesting. --- # 1.3 Nut trees  * Harvest * Squirrels π * Hazel * Sweet Chestnut
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- # 1.3 Nut trees  * Harvest * Squirrels * Hazel π * Sweet Chestnut
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * Good choice for UK, grows natively --- # 1.3 Nut trees  * Harvest * Squirrels * Hazel * Sweet Chestnut π
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * Brought to UK by Romans, very hard wood used for roof tiles * With climate change, do well in West Wales --- # 1. Species  1. Choose 2. Fruit trees 3. Nut trees 4. Other trees π
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- # 1.4 Other trees  * Nitrogen fixing π * Windbreaks * Habitat
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- # 1.4 Other trees  * Nitrogen fixing * Windbreaks π * Habitat
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- # 1.4 Other trees  * Nitrogen fixing * Windbreaks * Habitat π
Species
β Planning β Planting
??? * For UK, check [Database of Insects and their Food Plants](https://www.brc.ac.uk/dbif/hosts.aspx) --- # My top 10 trees * [Hawthorn](https://pfaf.org/user/cmspage.aspx?pageid=59) * [Italian Alder](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Alnus+cordata) * [Sweet Chestnut](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Castanea+sativa) * [Elder](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?latinname=Sambucus+nigra) * [Cornus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornus) * [Hazel](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Corylus+avellana) * [Cherry](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Prunus+avium) * [Asian Pear](https://pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Pyrus+pyrifolia+culta) * [Small Leaved Lime](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Tilia+cordata) * [Chinese Cedar](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Toona+sinensis)
Species
β Planning β Planting
--- class: middle, center # 2. Planning
Species β
Planning
β Planting
--- # 2. Planning  1. Map π 2. Windbreak 3. Spacing 4. Pollination
Species β
Planning
β Planting
--- # 2.1 Map  * [Make a map](../plan/) π * CAD or paper * Symbols are light
Species β
Planning
β Planting
??? * Make a map! * Not essential **but** damn sight easier * Make the big mistakes first --- # 2.1 Map  * [Make a map](../plan/) * CAD or paper π * Symbols are light
Species β
Planning
β Planting
--- # 2.1 Map  * [Make a map](../plan/) * CAD or paper * Symbols are light π
Species β
Planning
β Planting
--- # 2. Planning  1. Map 2. Windbreak π 3. Spacing 4. Pollination
Species β
Planning
β Planting
--- # 2.2 Windbreak  * [Windbreak hedge](https://www.forestgarden.wales/windbreak/) π * [Nurse tree](https://www.forestgarden.wales/nurse-tree/) * [Dead hedge](https://www.forestgarden.wales/dead-hedge/) * [Protect section](../protect/)
Species β
Planning
β Planting
--- # 2.2 Windbreak  * [Windbreak hedge](https://www.forestgarden.wales/windbreak/) * [Nurse tree](https://www.forestgarden.wales/nurse-tree/) π * [Dead hedge](https://www.forestgarden.wales/dead-hedge/) * [Protect section](../protect/)
Species β
Planning
β Planting
--- # 2.2 Windbreak  * [Windbreak hedge](https://www.forestgarden.wales/windbreak/) * [Nurse tree](https://www.forestgarden.wales/nurse-tree/) * [Dead hedge](https://www.forestgarden.wales/dead-hedge/) π * [Protect section](../protect/)
Species β
Planning
β Planting
--- # 2.2 Windbreak  * [Windbreak hedge](https://www.forestgarden.wales/windbreak/) * [Nurse tree](https://www.forestgarden.wales/nurse-tree/) * [Dead hedge](https://www.forestgarden.wales/dead-hedge/) * [Protect section](../protect/) π
Species β
Planning
β Planting
--- # 2. Planning  1. Map 2. Windbreak 3. Spacing π 4. Pollination
Species β
Planning
β Planting
??? * Photo by Visjesh K on [Flickr](https://flickr.com/photos/kvijesh/14887496439/) --- # 2.3 Spacing  * Mimic woodland edge π * ΒΌ to Β½ average canopy [diameter](https://www.forestgarden.wales/spacing/) * Choose the right [rootstock](https://www.forestgarden.wales/rootstock/)
Species β
Planning
β Planting
??? Climax vegetation. Woodland edge is near where cool temperate garden βwantsβ to be Illustration used with permission from Agroforestry Research Trust --- # 2.3 Spacing  * Mimic woodland edge * ΒΌ to Β½ average canopy [diameter](https://www.forestgarden.wales/spacing/) π * Choose the right [rootstock](https://www.forestgarden.wales/rootstock/)
Species β
Planning
β Planting
??? * [Tree spacing](https://www.forestgarden.wales/spacing/) * Illustration inspired by [Creating a Forest Garden](https://www.agroforestry.co.uk/product/creating-a-forest-garden-2/) by Martin Crawford --- # 2.3 Spacing  * Mimic woodland edge * ΒΌ to Β½ average canopy [diameter](https://www.forestgarden.wales/spacing/) * Choose the right [rootstock](https://www.forestgarden.wales/rootstock/) π
Species β
Planning
β Planting
??? * Check diameter & height of tree on [Plants For A Future](https://pfaf.org/user/Default.aspx) * Illustration from [Johnstown Garden Centre](https://www.johnstowngardencentre.ie/blog/johnstowngardencentre.ie/2016/03/08/rootstocks-explained/) --- # 2. Planning  1. Map 2. Windbreak 3. Spacing 4. Pollination π
Species β
Planning
β Planting
--- # 2.4 Pollination  * Many varieties [self-sterile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-incompatibility) * Eg apples, plums & cherries * [Check flowering group](https://www.orangepippin.com/) * Plant pollinator eg [crabapple](https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/pomes/apples/crabapple-pollinators)
Species β
Planning
β Planting
--- class: middle, center # 3. Planting
Planning β Species β
Planting
--- # 3. Planting  1. Plant π 2. Stake 3. Mulch 4. Protect
Planning β Species β
Planting
--- # 3.1 Plant  * Wash off compost π * Uncurl roots * Dig smallest hole * Water
Planning β Species β
Planting
??? * No fertiliser! * Plant young specimens, establish better & quicker --- # 3.1 Plant  * Wash off compost * Uncurl roots π * Dig smallest hole * Water
Planning β Species β
Planting
--- # 3.1 Plant  * Wash off compost * Uncurl roots * Dig smallest hole π * Water
Planning β Species β
Planting
--- # 3.1 Plant  * Wash off compost * Uncurl roots * Dig smallest hole * Water π
Planning β Species β
Planting
--- # 3. Planting  1. Plant 2. Stake π 3. Mulch 4. Protect
Planning β Species β
Planting
--- # 3.1 Stake  Stake **low**. Donβt stake unless: * Dwarf rootstock * Older, 2m+ high * Very exposed
Planning β Species β
Planting
--- # 3. Planting  1. Plant 2. Stake 3. Mulch π 4. Protect
Planning β Species β
Planting
--- # 3.3 Mulch  1. Cardboard & wood chip π 2. Weed & top-up 3. Grow ground cover
Planning β Species β
Planting
--- # 3.3 Mulch  1. Cardboard & wood chip 2. Weed & top-up π 3. Grow ground cover
Planning β Species β
Planting
--- # 3.3 Mulch  1. Cardboard & wood chip 2. Weed & top-up 3. Grow ground cover π
Planning β Species β
Planting
??? * Ultimate aim --- # 3. Planting  1. Plant 2. Stake 3. Mulch 4. Protect π
Planning β Species β
Planting
--- # 3.4 Protect  1. Grass 2. Rabbits π 3. Ride-on mowers π
Planning β Species β
Planting
??? * Top tree killers! * And protect from wind! --- # Backyard Forest takeaways  * Grow what you like * Think of the wildlife * Plant for final size
Species β Planning β Planting
--- class: middle, center # The End 
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