When we go looking for trees to plant in a garden, one of the most important things we have to know is what its roots are likesince depending on how their behavior is and how they grow, we will have to choose one species or another. And it is that it is common for specimens to be planted that, over the years, end up causing some other problem.
Therefore, If you are not sure which are the best non-invasive root trees that you can plant in a gardenregardless of whether it is large or small, we recommend them below.
Acacia of Constantinople (Albizia julibrissin)
Image – Wikimedia / AnRo0002
The tree known as acacia from Constantinople -although it has nothing to do with acacias- it is a plant that reaches 7 meters in height with a wide crown, composed of bipinnate leaves up to 45 centimeters long by 25 centimeters wide. These fall in autumn or winter, depending on when the weather starts to turn bad. Its pink flowers bloom in spring, and they do so in groups called panicles. It resists up to -7ºC.
Tree Privet (Luscious privet)
Image – Flickr / Mauricio Mercadante
El privet is an evergreen tree that reaches a height of 8 metersalthough it can reach 13-15 meters. The leaves are dark green, and are up to 15 centimeters long. Its flowers sprout in groups at the end of the branches, and are white. It blooms in spring, and it is also a plant that resists frost down to -10ºC.
Orchid tree (bauhinia variegata)
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Daniel Chapel
El orchid tree is a deciduous plant that reaches a height of 10-12 meterswith a glass of about 4 meters. It has rounded leaves, 20 centimeters long, and produces pink or whitish flowers up to 12 centimeters wide in spring. It is a precious species, which does not have invasive roots and which, moreover, resists frost down to -7ºC.
ball catalpa (catalpa bungei)
Image – TheTreeFarm.com
La ball catalpa It is a deciduous tree reaches a height of about 7 or 8 metersand that develops a cup of about 3-4 meters in diameter. These are heart-shaped leaves and are large, since they measure about 20 centimeters wide. It blooms in spring, producing bell-shaped pink flowers. It resists frost down to -18ºC.
Persimmon (Khaki Diospyros)
Image – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
El khaki or kaki is a deciduous fruit tree. It is cultivated for its delicious fruits, which ripen in winter, but also for its great ornamental value. And it is that It is a plant that reaches 12 meters in height.with a narrow crown, which measures about 3 meters wide at its base. Its leaves are green, but in autumn they turn red. The best thing is that it can live in an interesting variety of climates, as long as the four seasons are well differentiated. It resists up to -18ºC minimum, and 38ºC maximum if it has water.
Buy seeds here! and grow your own kaki.
spring cherry (Incised Prunus)
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Bruce Marlin
If you really like the Japanese cherry tree but you have a small garden, we recommend the Incised Prunus. This is a deciduous tree reaches a height of 6 meters and that develops a cup of about 3-4 meters wide. It has green leaves, but in autumn they turn red before falling. In spring it produces pink flowers. It resists up to -15ºC. You also have to take into account that in climates with very hot summers it is better to have it in semi-shade and not in the sun. But otherwise it’s a nice shade tree.
frangipani (red plumeria)
Image – Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
El frangipani It is a deciduous tree reaches a maximum height of 8 meters. It has a straight and little branched trunk, but that does not prevent it from developing a wide crown of about 3 meters. The leaves are green, up to 30 centimeters long, and lanceolate. Its flowers are white or pink, and sprout in groups, which are 30 centimeters wide. It is a plant that blooms in summer. Unfortunately, it can’t stand the cold; although the Plumeria rubra var acutifolia It can withstand very mild and short-term frosts, down to -2ºC.
Lemon Tree (Citrus x lemon)
El lemon Tree It is an evergreen fruit tree usually reaches a height of 5 to 6 meters. It is grown for its fruits, but considering that it smells so good, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to include it on the list. Its leaves are bright green, and it blooms in spring. Its flowers are white, very fragrant, and about 2 centimeters wide. It is one of the citrus fruits that best resists the cold; in fact, it holds up to -5ºC.
Gold rain (Laburnum anagyroides)
The tree known as Gold rain is a deciduous plant that reaches a height of 7 meters. It has green, compound leaves, and yellow flowers sprout in hanging clusters in spring. Its growth rate is fast, but you should know that its fruits are toxic to humans and horses. Likewise, it is a plant that will grow better in temperate/cool climates than in warm ones such as the Mediterranean. It resists up to -15ºC.
NOTE: there is another plant that receives the name of golden rain. It’s about the Cassia fistulaa small tree (rather a large bush) that measures about 4-5 meters and that fears frost.
Mimosa (baileyana acacia)
Image – Flickr / Nemo’s great uncle
La Mimosa, or acacia mimosa as it is sometimes also called, is an evergreen tree that reaches a height of between 5 and 10 meters. It has a narrow crown, made up of green or purple leaves depending on the variety. Its flowers are yellow and sprout in clusters at the top of the branches. It withstands drought very well, as well as frosts of up to -9ºC.
Plant your own acacia mimosa. click here! to acquire seeds.
Which of these non-invasive root trees did you like the most? If you want to know which ones have a root system that can be problematic, click here:
Related article:
List of trees with aggressive roots
