A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 lakes and trees ???

Weve just got hold of a new lake of an acre and a half, its been dug for about five years now.
at the moment we havent got any trees planted yet!
so here comes the ? what do you think would look good?
weve got 2 islands and im thinking of a couple of willows,
and ive got to try rhododendron's on there.
the only problem would be planting in clay.

Hi Mark,

I don't know about the willows but my rhododendrons do great in our clay soil. Hope you post some pictures, it sounds wonderful!

Joanne

i should add that the lake will be for fishing!
so i want to create something special to look at.
it may take 10 years or so to look right,but thats part of the challenge!

thanks netwiz
ive seen two rhododendrons by lakes now, and they look real good with there own reflection on the water

yes, rhody's do very well in clay.

as lovely as they are, the willow might be a problem...they REALLY like water (they're known for breaking through water pipes to get to the water running through the pipes).

i don't know if it would cause the water level of the lake to lower or not as i'm not sure how much water they take in. does the lake have a natural supply of water? or will you have to add it? definitely check into this before you plant!

heya! could you post some pics of the area - before and afters? i'd love to see what you do with it!!

thanks joclyn, the water levels are unknown at the moment,i will have to see how much it changes over a season.
its not stream or spring fed, it gets topped up over winter.
it does need planting to give it structure and some shade to sit in as well.
at the moment its slap bang in the middle of a field,
i could get some pics of it, but once its planted you wont see much improvement because the trees n plants will be small !
thats why i need the help, ive not got the foresight....

well, we need to see what you're working with to be able to give you ideas...and man! everyone here is terrific when it comes to suggestions!!

just a couple shots from different directions will do it .

i just noticed your in england...could you make a comparision of your weather conditions with our zone map so that we make suggestions that will work in the area you are in? thanks!

i think im in z-7 if that helps.

ive just ordered 31 willows.
24 for the lake, and the rest will get potted up at home, (spares)
they get delivered in november
just need to find a spare back!

WOW! That is a load of willows! In about 10 years, you are going to have so much shade. It will be a perfect haven for fishing. What is the lake stocked with?

Its stocked with small carp, roach and tench!

Ok I have heard of carp but not the other two.

i would plant trees for more effect than just shade.

flowering apple & cherry for spring color. maples for autumn color. and a variety of shrubs and perennials for summer color.

yes i want more than just willows, there are 18 swims dug for the anglers to fish from, between each of these will be a willow.
also there's 2 islands which will be the main focus!
ive planned on planting 3 willows on each, but theres more room for other plants as well.
on the little island i want to plant a couple of rhododendron's for colour in spring, but not sure what else on the big island
2 places in the island margin will have lillies as and when i can get them!
still waiting for more ideas though

I got 31 willows come today.
will be out sunday planting them
wish me luck!

I love the look of white birch reflecting on a lake. Good for shade but not too dense either.
Remember with whatever else you plant if it sheds leaves they could fill up in the water pretty fast.

I was thinking about the leaf fall today, when i was walking around
i will plant them away from the waters edge, and theres a lot of reeds in the margins, so this should help hold back the build up.
I also got 2 variegated Red-barked dogwodds today
an impulse buy