Specimen trees are trees that are particularly beautiful or interesting and deserve center stage in a garden. Features like unusual bark, branching, flowers, or fall color can make a tree worthy of being a specimen tree. When planting a specimen tree, consider what size tree the space can accommodate and what season(s) it will provide interest. Pairing trees with different seasons of interest can provide year-round visual appeal. The document then provides descriptions of various tree species that would make good specimen trees, including their size, growth rate, and tolerances.

1. Specimen Trees
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2. What they are and how to use them

3. The term “specimen” comes from a Latin word meaning “to look
at.”
A specimen tree is a plant you decide is particularly beautiful or
interesting, and well worth looking at.
It is a tree that deserves to have centre stage in your garden.
Specimen tree information suggests that many different
features can make a tree worthy of taking centre stage.
Flowering trees can be excellent specimen trees, especially
if the blossoms last a long time and are showy.
Trees with pleasing forms, like weeping willow, can also
serve as engaging specimen trees. Trees with features like
peeling bark or twisting branches often are given stand-along
status.

4. How to Use Specimen Trees
When you have decided to plant a specimen tree in your
yard, think first about what you have to offer a tree.
Identify exactly where you intend to plant it. Then figure
out what size tree would be appropriate there.
Both tropical plants and evergreens provide
year-round interest. If you are planting a tree
whose attraction is limited to one
season, think about planting a second
one.
For example, if you are planting a specimen
tree that offers lovely flowers in springtime,
consider installing another tree with winter interest a

5. Acer palmatum - Atropurpureum
Purple Japanese Maple Tree
Is a small, dense tree with excellent year-round
colour. Magnificent bronze-purple foliage is
combined with a good shape and a useful size to
make an attractive specimen tree for a protected
area in the landscape.
Height: 3.5 metres.
Width: 3 metres.
Growth rate: has a slow to moderate growth rate.
Should not be planted in exposed areas where hot
summer winds may stress the tree.

6. Albizia julibrissin - Persian Silk Tree
Is a hardy small tree with showy
delicate pink 'pompon' flower heads in
summer contrasting against fine, feathery
foliage. Perfect for use in small to medium
gardens or to provide some summer shade.
Height: 4 metres.
Width: 4 metres.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Tolerances: Moderate drought, varied soil pH,
moderately saline soils, strong wind and temperate to sub-tropical
conditions.

7. Callistemon viminalis - Dawson River
WeeperA very long flowering bottlebrush with a beautiful,weeping habit down
to the ground. Bright red flowers most of the year. Attracts birds and
insects. Suitable as specimens or in a large tub. Drought tolerant once
established.
Height: 4 metres
Width: 4 metres
Growth Rate: is fast growing.
Tolerates: is tolerant of drought, frost, salt spray, coastal, and poor
drainage.

8. Choisya ternata - Mexican Orange Blossom
A beautiful shrub from the temperate areas of Mexico, has clusters of white
flowers that have the fragrance of orange. It is easy to grow and very hardy.
Height: 2 metres.
Width: 2 metres.
Growth rate: Fast.
Tolerances: Will thrive in fertile, well-drained soil, full or partial sun.

9. Acacia cognata - Lime Magik
Is a plant with a pendulous habit and striking foliage in strong shades
of glowing, lime-green. This cheerfully bright large shrub makes a
stunning display amongst other deeper green foliage
plants. Produces an abundance of soft yellow flowers
during late Winter and Spring.
Height: 4 metres
Width: 3 metres
Growth rate: Fast
Tolerances: Prefers shade but will tolerate full sun. Also tolerates light
to heavy soil and frost.

10. Cercis siliquastrum - Judas Tree
Has a spectacular display of purplish-pink flowers in early spring and
distinctive rounded leaves.
Height: 6 metres.
Width: 4 metres.
Tolerances: Wide range including acid or alkaline but is easily stressed
and resents dry or very wet sites.

11. Gordonia axillaris yunnanense
With glaucous foliage and soft red stems on new growth. Huge "poached egg"
flowers smother the tree from mid Winter to early Spring. It has decorative bark
and glossy deep green leaves. Flowers fall in wide carpets resembling a carpet of
fried eggs.
Height: 5 metres.
Width: 5 metres.
Growth rate: Fast.
Tolerances: Performs best in full sun to partial shade. Severe frosts can be
problematic for this tree. Moderately drought tolerant but will benefit from
mulching in summer and supplementary watering during dry spells. Prunes well to
form a hedge.

12. Hakea Laurina - Pin Cushion Hakea
A much admired Australian native, it has some very lovely and unique
flowers that resemble a pin cushion. Attracts birds, bees and butterflies.
Height: 6 metres.
Width: 4 metres.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Tolerances: likes light soil, moist but well drained. Thrives in full sun. It's
frost tolerant.

13. Koelreuteria paniculata - Golden Rain Tree
A lovely specimen tree, boasts of golden yellow showy flowers.
Height: 7 metres.
Width: 7 metres.
Growth rate: Slow to moderate.
Tolerances: will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, heat, moderate
drought, atmospheric pollution and urban conditions.

14. Leptospermum rudolph
Is a medium to tall shrub with purplish new growth. From late spring to
summer large red flowers appear along the branches. Prune after
flowering to ensure dense growth and plenty of flowers.
Height: 3 metres.
Width: 2 metres.
Growth rate: Fast.
Tolerances: Likes full or partial sunlight. Light frost tolerance. Not salt
tolerant.

15. Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiatum - Upright Tulip Tree
Is a very attractive tall and narrow growing tree with brilliant autumn
foliage.
Height: 8 - 13 metres. (Tends to reach only its
minimum height in an urban environment.)
Width: 5 metres.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast.
Tolerances: performs best in deep, well drained, but
moist loam soils that are slightly acidic. Irrigation may
be required during extremely dry periods. Best in full sun. Tolerates air
pollution.

16. Malus hupehensis - Strawberry Parfait - Crab
Apple
Is a tough, wide spreading small tree with masses of unique mottled
pink flowers in spring.
Height: 5 metres.
Width: 6 metres.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Tolerances: is adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, but prefers a
moist, well drained acidic soil.

17. Ornamental Pear Pyrus calleryana - Winter Glow
Pear Tree - Evergreen Pear
Is an attractive ornamental pear and has become a popular screening
plant as it retains its foliage for most of winter.
Height: 6 metres
Width: 4 metres
Growth rate: medium to fast
Flowers: masses of white blossum in spring
Tolerances: Adaptable to a wide range of site conditions including quite
dry conditions, slightly alkaline soils and air pollution. Able to handle
intermittently wet, heavy soils. Best in full sun.

18. Prunus blireana - Flowering Plum Tree
Is a flowering plum with an excellent massed display of double pink
flowers followed by bronzy-purple foliage. Attractive as a single
specimen or in massed planting for long driveways and avenues.
Height: 4 metres.
Width: 4 metres.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Tolerances: is adaptable to a variety of site conditions, but prefers moist,
well drained fertile soils and a position receiving full sun to part-shade.
Flowers best in full sun.

19. Prunus persica - Crimson Cascade Weeping Peach
Is an extremely eye-catching cultivar as it produces deep crimson-red
flowers on a framework of cascading branches in early spring.
Height: 2 metres
Width: 2.5 metres
Growth rate: Slow.
Tolerances: is quite adaptable to varied site conditions, but prefers
moist, well drained fertile soils and a position receiving full sun to part-
shade. Flowers best in full sun and when pruned annually, immediately
after flowering. Often requires spraying to prevent leaf curl.

20. Acer pentaphyllum - Chinese Maple Tree
A very lovely elegant maple, has distinct five-lobed deep green leaves.
From China, this maple is considered to be perhaps the rarest maple in
the wild and deserves a place in the garden.
Height: 6 metres.
Width: 5 metres.
Growth rate: Slow to moderate.
Tolerances: Adaptable to a range of soil types once established, but
prefers a moist, well drained soil.

21. Weeping Maple Viridis (Green) Acer palmatum dissectum
A graceful weeping Japanese maple, Viridis is the widest spreading and one of the
fastest growing of the weeping 'laceleaf' types. An excellent cultivar (equal to the
better known purple-leafed weeping maples) suitable as a specimen for protected
parks and gardens where there is space for it to reach its full potential.
Height: 3 metres.
Width: 5 metres.
Growth rate: Slow to moderate
Tolerances: Adaptable to a range of soil types once established, but prefers a moist,
well drained soil. Should not be planted in exposed areas where hot summer winds
may stress the tree and leaves may suffer scorch in very hot sun. Transplants easily.

22. Questions?