Conifers

I've always been sentimental over the fact that a tiny seed that I had planted would become a fully grown tree that would be planted anywhere in the world, most likely in the UK. When the world is constantly chopping its trees down in deforestation and local councils are felling old trees that they can't afford to look after, I, foolishly maybe, believe I can repopulate Mother Nature's source of oxygen givers. We should all plant trees where we can. They provide homes, shelter and shade for wildlife, filter pollution, prevent flooding and remove excess CO2 from the atmosphere. Research shows that people prefer to live and work nearer green spaces so imagine what it feels like to work with them everyday!

Specialising mostly in conifers, The Secret Orchard also supplies British trees, hedging, shrubs and some unusual tropicals including palms. Almost everything has been grown from seed and some are taken from cuttings. With over 15 years experience in growing they have been lovingly cared for by myself and only the best quality will be sent out to customers. If you can't see what you want please contact me to see if I will have availability in the near future as we are continuously growing new varieties.

Abies - Fir Firs are mostly hardy and evergreen, growing worldwide particularly in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. With over 40 species, it is one of the largest genera of conifers. They have smooth bark when young and furrowed, thick bark as it ages, with swellings that contain a fragrant, sticky resin. The needle like leaves are flat and are attached to the branches individually. Seed cones grow upwards like a candle and the scales fall off after the seeds are dispersed.

KOREAN FIR

Right

BALSAM FIR

Left

Cedrus - Cedar Cedars are native to the mountainous areas of the Western Himalayas and the Mediterranean including Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria and North Africa. Evergreen, needle like leaves are arranged in dense spirals on short shoots and more open on long shoots. Seed cones are round shaped. They are held upright as are the pollen cones with the latter being slim and ovoid. Cedar was used in ancient times for construction and furniture making and many are used for the art of Bonsai. The name Cedrus originates from Greek meaning highly resinous and the resin is highly fragrant.

Chamaecyparis - False Cypress Chamaecyparis is a genus of conifers native to North America, Japan, China, and Taiwan. It consists of only 6 species but has produced over 1500 cultivars, particularly dwarf varieties. It prefers cooler climates and grows best in areas with mild winters and cool summers. The leaves of Chamaecyparis are needle like when young and scale like with flattened sprays when mature. Its cones are globose in shape. Chamaecyparis is known for its ornamental value and is often planted in gardens and nurseries.

Cupressus - Cypress Cupressus is an evergreen tree with trunks that can be single or multiple. Its young leaves are needle like, while adult leaves are scale like and arranged in pairs. It also produces globose seed cones. Most species of Cupressus are native to North America but many of them are also cultivated in the Mediterranean region where the climate is more favourable for their growth. It also produces globose seed cones which have adapted to fires and only release their seeds when exposed to high heat and the parent tree has most likely died. This is one of my favourites as the Cupressus Macrocarpa comes from this genus and it produces a wonderful rich lemon scent when brushed against.