Whether as an accent in a formal garden or as a source of shade in a Mediterranean garden, the ball trumpet tree is a real eye-catcher outdoors with its picturesque growth. The deciduous tree comes from the USA, where it traditionally decorates public parks. The ornamental tree is also enjoying increasing popularity in Europe, especially because of its spherical crown. In the article you will find out what you need to consider when choosing the location, planting and care, as well as what plays a crucial role in the design.
Find the right location for the ornamental wood
The right location for the ball trumpet tree is in partial shade and is well protected from wind - for example next to the garden fence or the hedge plants. It prefers slightly moist, nutrient-rich clay soil, otherwise its roots will dry out quickly. A minimum distance of 2 meters must be allowed for from the other plants - although it can be under the ornamental woodshade-loving ground covercan be planted, but its generous, wide crown can prevent the growth of perennials and flowers.
The right location also plays a crucial role because the tree will grow over the next hundred years. If the owner later decides to have it cut down, he or she must obtain a permit from the local authorities. Even more so – felling trees is prohibited from the beginning of March to the end of September. Trees that have reached a certain size or age are also protected. In the case of border trees, even the neighbors have to give their consent.
Our tip: In this first planning phase, a detailed garden sketch should be created with all plants, flowers and trees marked. This way, the hobby gardener will always have an overview and can then gradually add the sketch. Gardening work can be listed in a daily diary and problematic areas in the garden (for example if a tree is infected with fungus) can be reported.
Growth, leaves and flowers
The trumpet tree can grow up to 50 cm per year until it reaches a height of around 12 meters. Its impressive spherical crown can be up to 10 meters wide and is perfect as sun protection for the terrace or the cozy seating area in the middle of the garden. The egg-shaped tree leaves taper towards the front and reach a maximum length of 18cm. They are poisonous and give off an unpleasant odor when crushed. At the beginning of autumn, the first yellow-green tree leaves fall off, almost without changing color. The flowering period begins in spring - the first snow-white, bell-shaped flowers usually open at the beginning of May. They attract bees and bumblebees to the garden. The fertilized flowers form long and narrow capsules that can reach a maximum length of 40 cm. The fruit capsules remain on the tree in winter and only open in the coming spring. The fruits are also poisonous.
Planting, cutting and propagation
The ball trumpet tree can decorate the garden as a container plant - it is quite sensitive to frost, especially in the first few years, so it is recommended to plant the tree in a container at the beginning and store it in the greenhouse in the winter. From the third year onwards it can easily withstand wind and snow. The optimal season for planting is early autumn or late summer - from September onwards the ornamental wood has enough time for its roots to grow and for it to survive the winter outside. First, the roots are placed in water, then a hole is dug so that the upper part of the ball is below ground level. The roots should be provided with a thick layer of mulch. Before planting in autumn, the soil can be additionally enriched with compost. If necessary, a support can be used. The hobby gardener has to give fertilizer one week after planting. The soil should also be checked regularly - it should neither dry out nor be too moist. From November onwards, the tree bark must either be shaded or painted white. Very young trees can be protected from frost with foil.
The trumpet tree tolerates pruning without any problems, but pruning is not necessary. The experts recommend a rejuvenation cut every two years to maintain the spherical shape. After cutting, new shoots quickly form, so that nothing stands in the way of a lush crown. The ornamental wood is usually cut in sunny and dry weather. Cuts heal faster in summer. In any case, if they are more than 4 cm in diameter, bacteria or fungi can contaminate them - which is why every wound should be treated with closure material to be on the safe side.
Propagation occurs either by seeds or by planters. Individual branches can sink into the ground and take root - this type of natural propagation is rather unfavorable in the garden, as this way two trumpet trees will grow right next to each other. Propagation by seeds is therefore preferred by hobby gardeners. First, the seeds are placed in water so that they swell, then planted in humus-rich soil in a pot and then covered with foil during the germination period of six to nine weeks. The pot is ventilated every four days to prevent mold from forming.
Healing and preventing diseases
The ornamental wood is susceptible to fungal infections. Gray mold rot is particularly dangerous and primarily affects new branches. Fungicides (i.e. chemicals) can help, otherwise the entire tree can die.
Strangely enough, amateur gardeners can cause damage themselves - road salt can cause leaf spotting and leaf drop, sometimes even several years after the last application. This is because the substrate seeps into the earth very slowly. In this case, the tree must be watered and fertilized regularly - if these measures do not help, replacing the soil makes sense.
The house tree is also very susceptible to verticillium wilt - in this disease the fungus cuts off the water supply to the crown and as a result the branches wilt and die. Since this disease cannot be controlled, preventative measures should be carried out regularly. The roots are ventilated every 2-3 years. When an attack occurs, pruning is necessary and garden accessories should be thoroughly cleaned. Young trees (i.e. under 5 years old) can be transplanted to a location with loamy soil.
Is the globe trumpet tree really poisonous?
Branches, bark, leaves, flowers and fruits of the trumpet tree contain the toxin catalpin, which can cause stomach pain, among other things. The wood also contains quinoid compounds that could trigger allergic reactions. That is why it is not used in the furniture industry. The ball trumpet tree is rather unsuitable for gardens where pets or small children play. Adults with pollen allergies must wear gloves when gardening and plant the tree at a certain distance from the terrace.
Skillfully staged
Several house trees bring variety to the garden landscape. Country house style designs are particularly popular in EnglandMediterranean plantsand flowers. The combination between young trumpet tree and lavender creates exciting contrasts - in any case, lavender cannot tolerate shade. That's why the trumpet tree should be younger than 5 years old and should not be planted directly in the garden, but in a container.
If staged correctly, the trumpet tree can become an important element of garden design - it provides shade in summer, keeps mosquitoes away and sets accents in the outdoor area. Larger and older trees should be given an individual location because of their broad, spreading crown. It looks particularly effective next to a gabion, a few meters in front of the wooden fence or on both sides of the garden gate. This way it welcomes the guests and automatically attracts everyone’s attention. The tree also looks good in a desert or rock garden - natural-looking water features can complete the arrangement.
If there is simply not enough space in the allotment, shade plants can be planted under the trumpet tree - in any case, the hobby gardener should be careful that the tree roots are not injured. Instead, he should carefully look for gaps where the new ornamental grasses and ground covers will be planted. Only then dig a planting hole and insert the root ball, then add fertilizer and water. Incidentally, the shade plants should be watered regularly, as the tree extracts a lot of water from the soil and the spherical crown serves as an “umbrella” when it rains - the soil can dry out. Ground cover plants such as cranesbills, Caucasus forget-me-nots, red stonecrop or pachysandra can grow easily in shady locations.
A house tree in the front garden is of course the absolute highlight in the outdoor area - but good planning is particularly important here. Because the distance to the neighbors is often not correctly estimated and disputes arise in a few years. Shade and foliage are considered normal for the area; in any case, the tree should be at least 10 meters away from the neighbors. If neighbors have children who might eat the poisonous leaves, flowers or fruits, this should also be considered before planting.
A cozy corner in the garden - the small deciduous tree fits harmoniously into the garden landscape with hedge plants, ground cover and potted plants. OnEvening creates the garden lightingan exciting play of light and shadow; during the day the clay garden figure spices up the niche. A lawn edge with a difference - instead of flower beds, the cozy green plants provide variety. At the same time, the ensemble appears natural and creates a happy atmosphere.
Perennials such as holly, yew or autumn anemone create a seamless transition between the lawn and the garden - they can be particularly effective next to the paved garden path. The plants arranged in this way can also shield a cozy seating area in the shade from prying eyes. Of course, a bench under the tree should not be missing - the hobby gardener should definitely avoid a completely paved root area. Instead, fine grit can be spread on fleece.
Even if it is considered the eye-catcher in the garden, only a few hobby gardeners choose an ornamental tree. They worry that the roots will lift the paved path or grow into sewer lines. The first problem can be prevented with a root barrier 50cm below the garden path. Well-sealed pipes are not at risk; if the pipe is leaking, the resulting moisture can stimulate root growth. In this case, it is recommended to draw a detailed sketch and mark the sewer pipes on it. Then determine the location of the decorative wood and seek advice from an expert.
If there is not enough space in the garden for a tree, then the large shrub offers an alternative - it reaches a maximum height of 6 meters and after a few years forms an umbrella-shaped crown that attracts everyone's attention.
The ball trumpet tree impresses with its picturesque crown. The tree is not particularly demanding and fits harmoniously into any garden. Because it is poisonous, children and pets should never be left outside unsupervised. The perfect location for the ornamental tree is in the sun; the slightly moist clay soil offers the best conditions for its rapid growth. From May onwards, the first snow-white flowers adorn the treetop, from which the fruits later develop. Propagation occurs by seeds. Pruning is only necessary in the case of illness, otherwise a rejuvenating pruning is sufficient. In winter, young trees can be stored in the greenhouse; older trees do not need wind and frost protection, but they can be painted white for safety. It is possible to plant shade plants under the tree, but it usually achieves an extraordinary effect as a soloist.
