Tree advice

D-Lo Brown · 13-03-2026 10:48PM #1

Hi folks

Looking for some advice. I live in a 3 bed semi so have a small to medium sized garden outside.

Our houses were built on a literal swamp, so the gardens are wet. We are at the bottom of a hill too. Very high water table.

Question is, what advice would ye have for a nice, native, manageable, smallish tree that would be thirsty? I'd love a cherry blossom but I have read that they don't really like waterlogged ground

Any help appreciated 😀

drunkmonkey · 13-03-2026 11:11PM

I’d get the drainage sorted in the garden, had to do it in a 3 bed semi last year, got some outlandish quotes, local guy with a mini digger came and done the work very reasonable in the end. Some new topsoil, new stone and link it all to the storm drains. Tried the trees route was still a swimming pool and they need maintenance which is another headache.

tabby aspreme · 13-03-2026 11:17PM

Alder is probably the best tree for wet ground, not very pretty but supports wildlife, and can be coppiced when it gets too big

looksee · 14-03-2026 12:06AM

I'd agree with drunkmonkey, make some attempt to drain the ground first. I would not put an alder in an urban garden, they get too big. The number of medium trees that will cope with wet soil is very limited. There is a significant difference between damp soil and waterlogged soil, very little will grow in Ireland in permenantly wet soil.

Do remember that almost all flowering trees - for wet ground or otherwise - are only in flower for a very short period so don't get too hung up on flowers. However a large shrub that will flower all summer and may well take to a somewhat wet site is hydrangea, so that may be worth considering.

SupaCat95 · 14-03-2026 01:24AM

Have Alder. It grows really fast and thick

SupaCat95 · 14-03-2026 01:29AM

Money might be well spent on drainage. Open blocked drains.

macraignil · 15-03-2026 11:04PM

In suburban gardens it would not be practical to plant some of the trees most suitable for wet soil as they will grow too big so this rules out a lot of the willows and alders and many more. There is a list on this website of trees native to Ireland that suit particular sites:

https://www.treecouncil.ie/the-right-tree-in-the-right-place?srsltid=AfmBOoo0l6OZqEiYc20kE292L9FatUehB5RtwoUnKIWH32tiLrwWdooR

Also this UK site gives a list of trees suited to wet ground:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/for-places/wet-soils

In my opinion an Amelanchier (June berry) or pear trees might suit your garden but as mentioned already the drains in the area will need to be working so the soil is not waterlogged for extended periods. These trees usually have a good showing of flowers in spring similar to cherry. This video clip shows some Amelanchier in bloom in my own garden.

Happy gardening!

D-Lo Brown · 16-03-2026 05:41AM

BBeautiful . Thank you!

Tree advice

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