The dormant months are fast approaching and we’re preparing to help horticultural professionals get ready for another busy planting season. With over 45 years of industry experience, we offer an extensive selection of bare root and root balled hedging in addition to container grown trees and hedge plants. Importantly, the Nursery has retained its Plant Healthy certification for another year, an essential factor when considering tree and hedging suppliers for professional projects. In this tree and hedging guide, we’ll walk you through the best times to plant, how to choose the right trees and hedging for each site, and share our top aftercare tips to ensure long-term success.

When is the best time to plant trees and hedging?

The optimal time to plant is from November to March. This is especially important for bare root and root balled hedging, which can only be lifted and planted during the dormant season. In contrast, container-grown trees can be planted at any time of year, as long as they receive proper aftercare. Each planting method has its own benefits:

Bare Root Plants: These are the most cost-effective option. They work well for large-scale planting over long distances and need less ongoing maintenance.

Root Balled Stock: These allow for larger, more mature plants at a lower price than container-grown options. Since they’re heavier, they’re often available for local or dedicated deliveries only.

Container Grown Plants: These offer the most flexibility. They can be planted year-round, travel well, and are much lighter than root-balled plants. That makes them ideal for quick, nationwide shipping.

What should you plant?

Choosing the right plants starts with understanding the site. Some species simply won’t thrive in certain conditions. For example, Laurel prefers moist, well-drained soil, while Yew tolerates dry conditions. Similarly, Hornbeam performs well on heavy clay but Beech is better suited to lighter soils.

At King & Co, we offer tailored advice to help you select the best trees and hedging for your project. Need shorter stem-height screening trees for raised beds? We can help with that too. Just get in touch with the nursery, we’re happy to recommend the right options.

What’s popular at the moment?

Screening trees are by far our most requested product. As new housing developments continue to rise, many gardens are left exposed, prompting demand for smart, effective privacy solutions.

We supply both pleached trees, with foliage trained flat onto a frame, and standard trees, which have a natural, bushy head of foliage. Standards are the more budget-friendly option. Both forms are a popular option for screening above a fence line while maintaining open space below. We offer a wide selection of screening trees with 1.8m (6ft) clear stems, perfect for underplanting.

For evergreen coverage, our most popular options include Photinia ‘Red Robin’, Laurel, and Holly. If year-round greenery isn’t essential, Hornbeam offers a classic, deciduous alternative that brings structure and texture to the garden.

How to plant?

Before your delivery arrives, make sure your site is ready to receive and store plants correctly:

Bare root plants must be kept sheltered and moist immediately upon delivery

Root balled trees should be planted with their hessian and wire cages intact

Container plants should have their pots or growing bags removed just before planting

One of the most common causes of failure is planting too deep. The basal flare of the tree should be no deeper than ground level. Planting deeper than this suffocates the roots and induces anaerobic respiration. We also recommend that stake and tie each tree with adequately sized stakes. This will help to stabilise the tree while roots establish.

Aftercare for Trees and Plants

Once your trees are planted, consistent watering is essential. Good aftercare, especially in the first two growing seasons, makes the difference between success and failure. In fact, poor aftercare is the most common reason plantings don’t survive.

To begin, we recommend giving each tree 5 litres of water every other day. This is a general guide to keep the soil moist. You may need to adjust based on soil type and species. Always water directly at the base to ensure moisture reaches the roots effectively. If regular watering isn’t feasible, consider using irrigation aids like watering bags.

Don’t forget that even frequent rainfall is often not enough to keep newly planted trees properly hydrated!

Check out our article on watering newly planted trees!

How to order?

Ordering is easy. If you know what you need, you can place your order online. If you’re unsure, just give us a call or send an email, we’re happy to help with advice, recommendations, or planting plans. Want to see before you buy? We can send photos of current stock on request. Or better yet, visit us in person and hand-pick your plants from the nursery.

Hopefully this tree and hedging guide was helpful! Remember, we’re here to support you with quality stock, expert advice, and dependable delivery.