How to choose the best trees for wet soils
Selecting the right trees for your site can feel daunting, especially if you’re dealing with challenging conditions like wet or waterlogged soils. Many trees need a careful balance of water and oxygen in the soil to thrive. But with increasing rainfall, standing water, and flash flooding, some areas are saturated for days or even weeks each year — and only certain hardy species will cope.
What Are the Best Trees for Wet Soil?
If your site stays wet or waterlogged for more than a week each year, stick to trees that are naturally adapted to these conditions. The best genera for wet soils are:
- Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
- Willow (Salix alba ‘Tristis’, Weeping Willow)
- Poplar (Populus tremula)
- River Birch (Betula nigra)
- Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum)
These trees are known as wetland species and have evolved to survive in environments where oxygen in the soil is limited.
Apart from the Swamp Cypress, all can be planted as either standard trees or multi-stems. Multi-stemmed trees are especially useful on windy or erosion-prone sites because they are naturally more stable and rarely need staking.
Why You Shouldn’t Experiment with Other Species
Tempted to plant something else, like Prunus? Unfortunately, you can’t outwit Mother Nature. Choosing tree species that aren’t suited to wet conditions can lead to poor root productivity, root decay, and even complete tree failure — sometimes in a surprisingly short time.
Selecting wet-tolerant trees from the start will save you time, money, and disappointment, ensuring your planting scheme thrives for years to come.
Tips for Planting in Wet Soils
If you’re set on planting a species that doesn’t naturally tolerate wet soils, you can try mound planting. This technique involves planting the tree with part of the root ball raised above ground level, then mounding the surrounding soil to cover it. By planting slightly proud of the ground, you help the roots access more oxygen, increasing the tree’s chances of survival.
When you plant Barcham Trees, you also benefit from immediate results — thanks to our unique container-grown production method, which produces trees with a complete root system that readily establishes and continues to thrive.
If you need help or advice, please don’t hesitate to contact our team via chat, email, or telephone. We’re here to help you make the best choice for your landscape.