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Scotland's Native Trees and Shrubs
Companion, clumping or bundle planting
Many tree species have distinctive colonisation patterns. They grow in clumps of 5, 10, 20 or even 30 trees. The clumps may be of a single species or a mixture of several different species of trees and shrubs all growing as one unit. Natural variations and combinations are endless, giving each site its own identity and distinction. Classic examples are the single species clumps of alder commonly seen growing along riverbanks, birch in both isolated clumps or with others in woodlands or the hardy rowan growing defiantly where other trees cannot grow. Birch also blends seamlessly with pine or holly to form multi-species clumps typifying vegetation characteristics of NVC type W18. Yet how often are they planted in this way?
Naturally occurring clumps may have been formed as a result of coppicing, browsing, natural damage, pollarding or because they seeded in such a way. In any event, trees and shrubs growing in clumps have become an established feature in our landscape. Many veteran and celebrity trees started life in clumps or were planted as bundles. The young trees often become pressed together as they grow and often form a single fluted or convoluted trunk making it difficult to determine if in fact it originated from one tree or a single species clump.
Surprisingly, landscape designers seldom use trees and shrubs in this way. An exception is specimen clumps of birch, which are usually used as architectural forms in the built environment. Alder are commonly planted along riverbanks, usually for functional reasons but also to simulate the natural landscape characteristics. Seldom do they achieve the latter objective for they are not planted in clumps as naturally occurring alders usually grow. There is a curious resistance to accepting that they actually do grow in this way. There is an even greater resistance to planting mixed species companions in clumps as indeed they do grow naturally. Natural associations of plants attract natural associations of wildlife - insects, birds, animals, fungi and soil micro-organisms. These natural associations of both plants and animals have evolved to live and work together. The belief that such natural associations and processes have evolved for mutual benefit is central to the philosophy of learning from nature. 'Nature does nothing without purpose or uselessly' Aristotle.
The bundle planting technique is not new. Evelyn recommended it in the 17th century to create wide spreading crowns quickly. Despite the relatively common existence of notable specimens in earlier designed landscape and specimens growing naturally in almost every semi-natural woodland, many of today's designers hold a curious suspicion that trees, other than birch do not grow well in bundles. Or is it that they have just gone out of fashion or are not readily available?
A massive multi-stemmed bird cherry by the A9 at Ballinluig.
Companion or bundle planting was a landscape design technique commonly applied during the last century. Helen Read in her book 'Veteran Trees: A guide to good management' distinguishes three main types of trees growing in clumps.
- a naturally occurring clump, the result of natural seed fall or an animal burying a cache of seeds
- the result of a forester or landscape gardener slipping several trees in one hole to finish a task quickly
- the result of a planned decision to create a multi-stemmed tree for a specific purpose
- to create a wide spreading crown quickly. (Bundle planting was incidentally, a technique recommended for this purpose by Evelyn in the 17th century.)
- to mimic natural characteristics
- to create a distinctive landscape feature
- for agricultural purposes, providing shade and seed for cattle
It is likely that bundle planting of both single and multi-species units will play an important role in future roadside planting. Trials are underway to assess the performance of commercially available multi-species units and discussions are taking place within the hardy nursery stock industry to develop further products based on natural characteristics.
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This is how rowan develops naturally. | Rowan can easily be grown and planted in clumps to simulate natural characteristics, provide early effect and look right by the roadside or elsewhere. | Multi-species unit of pine and birch planted on the A9 south of Aviemore to simulate the naturally occurring semi-natural plant communities in the vicinity. |
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