Time to put down roots

Trees can bring benefits to gardens of all shapes and sizes. Carol Klein explains what to consider when choosing one for your plot and reveals her favourites

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Trees are the lifeblood of our planet. By taking in harmful carbon dioxide and pumping out oxygen, trees make it possible for us to breathe. Without them, we would eventually run out of oxygen. Planting a tree in our gardens might seem like a tiny contribution to the overall picture of a healthy planet, but it is the combination of all trees from a lone oak to an entire rainforest that provide us with the air we need to breathe.

Every garden is better for having a tree.

Even the smallest plot can accommodate one, but the question is, which one? It is estimated there are more than 73,000 species of tree on Earth, some yet to be discovered. And that is just the species; the number of cultivars must be enormous.

Give and take