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Guidance on Growing Trees in Containers

11 April 2017

Wyatt Patterson

Although growing a tree in a container may offer a great deal of convenience down the line, there are a number of factors to consider before you take this course of action. A tree that is planted in the ground, for example, will not require any re-potting or regular feeding. However, a tree that is in a container can be moved around easily and relocated without necessarily damaging the plant's root system. You can even take one with you if you move home so long as it is in a robust enough container for the journey! Examine some other factors that you should bear in mind.

Choose the Right Trees

Some trees grow to a very large height and are not really suited to a life in a container. A wholesale nursery will offer you the best advice on which plant supplies to opt for. Wholesale trees that are designed for containers include species of apple tree, Japanese maples and olive trees. Yew and bay trees are also quite happy in containers and tend to grow to fit the size of planter they are in without needing to be upgraded to a larger one.

Container Factors

You should ensure that the container you are selecting for your tree is not too large when it is first planted. Although your tree will grow over time, it is better to select a smaller container and then re-pot the tree after a few years of growth. Saplings can look out of place in a very large container that is too big for them. In addition, containers should be wide with a solid base rather than tall since this will help them to resist any wind that may hit it the tree. Tall containers tend to blow over if the wind picks up, which can damage the tree's branches.

Caring for Container Trees

If a tree is growing in a container, then it will drain the fluid in the soil much more quickly that it would do if it were growing in the ground. Therefore, you need to make sure that you are watering the container regularly or have an automated irrigation system that does the job for you. In addition, trees in containers will use up the nutrients in the soil rapidly without being able to access any more for themselves. As a result, you need to make sure that they are fed regularly with plenty of fertiliser and new compost added to the material already in the container.

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