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25 July 2024 | Case story

Multi-stem trees: striking the perfect balance between comfort and aesthetics

Multi-stem trees have become a fixture and a real trend in today’s garden landscape, with landscapers and designers liking their unique, natural look. Moreover, these trees can be used in a wide range of garden designs, punctuating them with a touch of greenery and their whimsical, organic shapes. In addition to their visual appeal, multi-stem trees also create a lot of shade in gardens.

Multi-stem trees are pruned at an early age, so the central trunk branches into several (usually 2 to 5) trunks immediately above the ground surface. They are sometimes mistaken for shrubs, but the different trunks of multi-stem trees are clearly distinguishable, whereas shrubs tend to be more bushy. Unlike a shrub, a multi-stem tree can also reach heights up to 15 metres.

In terms of their structure, the shape of multi-stem trees is similar to that of a conical vase, with a narrower base that fans out towards the top. Unlike branched trees, you can see through the open structure at the bottom, making them highly suitable for planting in outdoor spaces with an open character.

They are also ideally suited for adding a touch of greenery at eye level. Evergreen specimens tend to have a slightly denser habit. Some more wind-sensitive trees thrive in the lee, making them the perfect choice for walled gardens. This does not necessarily need to be a large garden. Lower multi-stem trees can easily be integrated into smaller gardens, where they also thrive.

Greater environmental value

Trees purify the air and promote biodiversity in the garden. Multi-stem trees have a larger leaf mass for the same trunk girth, meaning they can also absorb more CO₂. They thus have higher environmental value than ordinary trees. The shade yield of multi-stem trees is also significantly higher.

Multi-stem trees can be left to their own devices because of how they naturally grow, meaning they are very low-maintenance and need next to no pruning. The crown can be pruned back to the desired height and shape if they grow too tall or lose their shape. Multi-stem trees also add visual appeal to garden or landscape designs, as they are real eye-catchers, defining the garden design. Multi-stem trees adapt to their surroundings, which is why they work so well in a variety of garden styles, including lush lawns, chic outdoor lounges, and park gardens.

Look at this stunning design for a park garden in the Dutch province of North Brabant. The newly landscaped garden is a veritable green oasis where the residents can unwind in a design that is both functional and visually pleasing.

The central feature of the design is the large, natural pond, which acts like a large mirror because of the reflections in the water. It’s easy to see how you can lose track of time in the seating and lounge area on the wooden jetty on the pond. However, the real eye-catcher in this garden design is the multi-stem trees. Because the garden designer chose more mature trees, the garden has a mature look from the outset, making it seem like these trees have been growing here forever. In the evening, outdoor lighting (by In-lite) adds a magical mood in the garden, allowing the residents and their guests to enjoy the garden even after dusk. The enchanting garden is bathed in beautiful light and shade, accentuating the trees’ whimsical shapes even more.

This park garden was designed and laid out by the Siebers Group.

The following tree species were used: Pinus sylvestris; Zelkova carpinifolia ‘Verschaffeltii’; Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’; and Pinus sylvestris ‘Watereri’, from Van den Berk Nurseries.

Pinus sylvestris
(origin: Europe, North Asia)
or ‘Scots pine’, is a species of tree in the pine family and a hardy, evergreen conifer. Frequently used in forestry, the Scots pine is increasingly popular in modern garden designs. It is easy to identify because of its very characteristic growth pattern, eventually growing into a parasol shape. This tree thrives even in extreme conditions, including drought, is also found on more sandy dry soils, is wind-resistant, and also tolerates sea breezes, making it highly suitable for planting in coastal areas.

Zelkova carpinifolia, 'verschaffeltii'
(origin: Caucasus)
or ‘Caucasian elm’, is a hardy, medium-sized park tree with an elegant crown and green leaves, which turn a beautiful golden brown in autumn. Originally described as a separate species, it is currently assumed to be a selection of Z. carpinifolia, with which the tree has many similarities, except that it is significantly smaller. This tree is fairly to very wind resistant and thrives well on moist, loamy soil.

Facus sylvatica, 'antropunicea'
(origin: Central Europe)
or ‘brown beech’ is also sometimes referred to as the queen or mother of forests. It has a broad, oval to round crown and can be used as an avenue, park or solitary tree. In autumn, the tree leaves turn all kinds of beautiful hues, from deep red to intense brownish red. This tree species is frost-resistant, prefers well-drained, not too wet, humus-rich soil, and is moderately wind-resistant.

Pinus sylvestris, 'watereri'
(origin: Knap Hill Nursery, Woking, England)
Scots pine is a slow-growing, compact cultivar with stiff, slightly twisted steel-blue needles. When grown as a small tree, it forms a broad parasol-shaped crown, which becomes more irregular over time. The tree is a natural source of food for birds. It is resistant to frost and wind, tolerates sea breezes, can thrive on sandy soil, and is easy to prune into a shape.

About NOA:

NOA outdoor living is an experience park for outdoor design in Kruisem. In the theme gardens, you can find inspiration to decorate your garden. These gardens combine architecture, landscape, and interior, and welcome architects, landscape architects, designers, and contractors as well as private prospects. In this inspiration park, you will find luxurious garden furniture and designs by more than 30 high-end partners, who are happy to advise you as you bring your dream garden to life. Moreover, the park is the perfect professional networking location; the conference rooms, covered patio, spacious showroom, and plaza of NOA outdoor living are the ideal setting for your conference, product presentation, or product launch.

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