Trees can very often be treated like optional extras in a garden – they’re nice to have, but they’re not essential, right? But the truth is they play a much bigger role than people realise, and a garden with trees comes with all sorts of benefits. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about why every garden needs trees. 

Photo by David Vig on Unsplash

Trees Give A Garden Structure 

One of the first things trees do is give a garden the structure it really needs because they create height, shape, and a fantastic sense of scale that flowerbeds and lawns can’t do on their own. So without trees, gardens can feel quite unfinished, even if everything else is well designed. 

When you think about it, a single well-placed tree can do so much to make a space feel more interesting, and over time, as it grows, that feeling only gets better. Of course, in order to keep the structure safe, it’s wise to hire experts in commercial tree surgery from time to time as well. 

They Create Extra Shade And Shelter 

Gardens are meant to be enjoyed, but the problem is that things like direct sunlight or strong winds can make the space much harder to use, and end up limiting the time you can spend outside. But when you’ve got trees around, they’re going to offer you natural shade that changes through the day, making outdoor areas more comfortable in warmer weather. 

They also act as windbreaks, which can make a surprising difference. A sheltered garden feels a lot more relaxing and inviting, especially if you spend time outside on a regular basis. 

Trees Support Wildlife 

Something else to think about is that a garden without trees often feels quiet – and not in a good way, necessarily. Yes, you’ll want a peaceful garden, but a totally silent one feels wrong and even uncomfortable, and since trees provide homes, food, and shelter for birds, insects, and small animals, by having them you’re attracting wildlife – and the comforting sounds they make – to your outdoor space. 

They Naturally Improve Privacy 

Of course, fences and walls do create great boundaries, but they can sometimes seem quite hard and strict, whereas if you’ve got trees to do the job (or at least add to what the walls and fences are doing), it’s different because you’ve got a softer finish to things. 

The best thing is that trees offer a nice layer of privacy without totally cutting you off from the outside world because the leaves filter your view rather than block it, which often feels a lot more natural and relaxing. 

Trees Help Gardens Age Well

Gardens are bound to change over time – it’s just how nature works – and trees are always going to be one of the elements that improve with age. While plants come and go, trees mature much more slowly, and they’ll keep adding character year after year. This long-term value is actually one of the reasons why trees are often seen as an investment rather than just a (admittedly good) design choice. 

So if your garden is looking a little unfinished, planting trees now is certainly something that can pay off in the future.