The power of solitude

In the weeks around Christmas, when daylight hours are short and the world sometimes seems to slow down, many people feel more strongly than usual what it is like to be alone. Outside, in the winter landscape, trees tell a similar story. Sometimes there is that one tree, standing alone on a plot or at the edge of a garden, a solitary silhouette overlooking the surroundings like a silent witness. While loneliness can feel heavy for people, such a tree has a special power: it provides character, seclusion and tranquility through its freestanding position. It is precisely these qualities that we can put to good use in a design.

A solitary tree often plays an almost sculptural role in planting plans. And rightly so. Its shape, especially in winter with all its capriciousness, adds a lot to a design. It captures the light in all seasons, guides the eye, and gives a place a sense of privacy. Planting sites for solitary trees are often more sensitive to wind, and to achieve the right impressive effect, the tree must be selected at the nursery itself. For a solitary tree to play the leading role in a garden, it must also be attractive all year round. Here are some of our favorite trees to use as solitary trees:

Acer  x freemanii ‘Autumn Blaze’
An imposing tree that displays spectacular autumn colors, especially in the fall. The final crown shape of the tree is broadly oval when mature, and the height of the crown will reach about 17 meters. The tree is very wind-resistant and not picky about its location, making it ideal for planting as a solitary tree.

Carpinus betulus
This native tree, used as a solitary tree, has a distinctive appearance. The base of the trunk always stands remarkably above the ground. In English, the tree is called ‘muscle tree’ because of the characteristic appearance of the trunk. Older trees develop clear ridges, twists, and thickenings in the bark, making the trunk resemble tense human muscles. This effect is particularly visible in solitary specimens due to the influence of the wind. In autumn, the leaves turn a warm yellow that lingers well into late autumn, adding to the seasonal experience.

Parrotia persica
Parrotia persica is known in Dutch as Perzisch Ijzerhout (Persian ironwood). This tree's natural habitat is in the Hyrcanian mountain range along the southern edge of the Caspian Sea in Iran. The species grows there in mixed deciduous forests on well-drained but moisture-retaining soils, ranging from loam to clay. The climate is temperate to subtropical, with mild, humid winters and hot summers without extreme drought. This makes the tree very suitable for use in our climate. In addition, the tree has enormous ornamental value, especially as a solitary tree.

Osmanthus heterophyllus
Osmanthus heterophyllus is a particularly attractive evergreen shrub to medium-sized tree that usually grows slightly taller than it is wide. It is a plant that we encounter in various forms, often multi-stemmed but also as a garden bonsai. Osmanthus heterophyllus has a distinctive appearance. Its stiff, prickly leaves provide structure and contrast all year round. In the fall, subtle, fragrant flowers appear. Its compact growth and multi-stemmed form make this tree ideal as an accent in gardens and public spaces.

Heptacodium miconioides
Heptacodium miconioides (Seven Sons Tree) is a distinctive small tree to large shrub. Its late flowering is remarkable, allowing this tree to come into its own as a solitary multi-stemmed tree where most trees flower in spring. The open vase-shaped crown, peeling bark, and fragrant, creamy white flowers in late summer give the tree year-round ornamental value. In autumn, the red/pink discoloring calyxes after flowering provide an extra accent.