Van den Berk Baumschulen

Fagaceae

Quercus robur

A knotted tree, with many branches and a broad rounded crown that is more or less irregular. Specimens of this tree originating from Roman times can still be found in the Hoge Veluwe National Park (Netherlands). The bark is dark grey and, in old specimens, deeply grooved. Young twigs are reddish-brown. The variable leaves are obovate to elongated oval, 5 - 14 cm long and 4 - 8 cm wide, with 3 to 5 pairs of blunt lobes. The foliage is often densely grouped at the end of the twigs. The leaves emerge brownish-red in the spring. The ovoid to oval acorns grown in groups of from 2 to 6 and are enclosed by the cupule up to a maximum of a third: the cupule is covered with small, triangular, contiguous scales. Q. robur is frequently used in woodlands and on wooded banks. For centuries an important producer of timber.

Platanus TREEVOLUTION ® THE SWING ®

THE SWING trees are roof form trees with a striking twist in the trunk. The idea for these trees arose from the need for a green roof above terraces, without the hindrance of a trunk in the middle. This is practical, but also better for the tree, because trees prefer not to stand in paving. Planted in a border, the roots can get more water and air and will not push up the paving. A win-win situation, and also a real eye-catcher in the garden. The effect of the S-shaped trunk gives every terrace or garden an elegant character. When SWING trees are planted opposite each other, it is possible to cover an entire terrace, but also a single well-placed tree can create a beautiful effect.
Just as with ordinary roof form trees, the roof needs to be pruned every year in order to retain its shape.

Platanus, Carpinus and Parrotia
THE SWING trees are grown in Platanus x hispanica (plane tree) and Carpinus betulus (hornbeam) as both are valued topiary trees and fit into many designs. Since autumn 2020, Parrotia persica (Persian ironwood), which colours so beautifully in autumn, has also been added to the range. THE SWING trees are patented and exclusively available from Van den Berk Nurseries.

Taxodiaceae

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

A robustly growing deciduous conifer with a narrow pyramidal crown at first that becomes broad pyramidal later. Branches grow in a regular pattern on the perfectly vertical main trunk. Young twigs slant upwards slightly: older branches are practically horizontal. Width to approx. 10 m. The trunk of mature trees becomes knotted and flakes off in small sheets. Young twigs are reddish brown. The needles grow on short and long shoots and are opposed, unlike Taxodium. Turning bronze brown to orange brown and falling off along with the short shoots in the autumn. Metasequoia was only known as a fossil until 1941 and was rediscovered by a Chinese forester in south-western China. From then on, it was once again distributed throughout the world. Has superficial resemblance to Taxodium but the manner of growth is more open and the lateral branches grow in a feathery manner.

Betulaceae

Betula pendula 'Zwitsers Glorie'

Medium-size tree with healthy, vigorous growth: has a slender, narrowly pyramidal crown. First year twigs dark brown, older bark white to grey-white. The bark is only slightly peeling: only older trees acquire a grooved trunk base. Forms a nicely vertical main stem with the branches growing from the central leader at an angle of about 45°. The glossy, fresh green leaf turns golden yellow in autumn. Due to the narrowly pyramidal crown, good anchoring and fairly light side branches, the tree is highly suitable for avenues and streets. Also very useful in landscape planting. Was discovered in Switzerland by Sjef van Roessel and introduced after extensive testing.

Sapindaceae

Koelreuteria paniculata

Multi-trunked tall shrub to medium-sized tree. The somewhat irregular crown becomes steadily broader until it is practically round. The large, pinnate (sometimes doubly pinnate) leaves consist of 7 - 15 leaf segments. These are approx. 7 - 10 cm long and the lobes have a serrated edge. The leaves are a bronze colour in the spring and turn yellow to orange in the autumn. The numerous small, yellow flowers are in terminal plumes approx. 30 cm long. The plumes are open and have a loose structure. After flowering, the bladder-like fruit appear, measuring approx. 4 cm. They change colour from green to bronze and contain a few black seeds. The fruit remains on the tree for a long time. This tree prefers a sheltered site since young specimens can suffer frost damage, but recover well. Koelreuteria paniculata flowers more abundantly the warmer the summer. After flowering it produces triangular bladder-like fruits that contain the seeds.