The top 5 from Tree Nursery E. de Jong |
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"Try choosing a different tree for once"
Trees. The choices are endless—for public spaces, along roadsides, in avenues, or to dress up a park. And of course, for gardens. We asked Tree Nursery E. de Jong from Dongen to highlight a few trees they believe deserve more attention, whether for their striking qualities, shape, or other visually interesting characteristics.
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Jacco de Jong is co-owner of the family business Tree Nursery E. de Jong. Together with his parents Erwin and Janny and his brother Luc, he runs the Brabant-based nursery. The range is broad and includes field-grown trees that have been transplanted three times, multi-stem trees, and shaped trees. They also grow many avenue trees, shaped trees, and multi-stem trees in containers. A large portion of their trees is shipped across Europe and beyond. From this assortment, De Jong spotlights five trees. "I've selected trees that are less commonly chosen but are climate-resistant or offer attractive features in part of the season, or are particularly effective in purifying the air."
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Palo Alto'
This tree, also known as the sweetgum, ranks high on De Jong's list: "The Liquidambar styraciflua 'Palo Alto' has an elegant shape and a deeply grooved trunk. In autumn, the leaves turn from warm yellow to fiery red and deep burgundy—a stunning color display. In summer, the tree shows fresh green foliage. The 'Palo Alto' variety has a robust structure and is largely free from pests and diseases. If you want to make a statement, 'Palo Alto' is the perfect choice. The deep grooves in the trunk and branches add ornamental value in winter as well."
 | | Liquidambar styraciflua 'Palo Alto' |
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This tree prefers sandy soil, possibly mixed with some clay, but does not do well in heavy clay. Tree Nursery E. de Jong supplies it in sizes ranging from 12-14 to 18-20 cm girth. A mature Liquidambar styraciflua 'Palo Alto' can reach a height of up to 15 meters. The tree is most commonly used in parks and public spaces, as it's a bit large for most gardens. It is tolerant of both wet and dry conditions.
Magnolia 'Big Dude'
"This one is available as a standard tree, but my favorite is the multi-stem version. The Magnolia has large, sturdy, glossy green leaves but is, of course, best known for its abundant flowering. The flower color shifts from lilac to creamy white. The tree loves sun and copes well with heat. The multi-stem form needs plenty of space to fully develop," says De Jong. "It's important to prune the tree regularly to maintain a full, healthy crown. That's often neglected in gardens and even along roadsides. Pruning and removing deadwood keeps the tree beautiful and strong."
The multi-stem form can reach 4 to 5 meters in height, but this can be controlled with pruning. As a single-stem tree, the magnolia can grow up to around six meters. 'Big Dude' has a light fragrance and is used not only in gardens but also in parks. "For me, this tree marks the beginning of spring, when nature awakens again."
Tree Nursery E. de Jong supplies this Magnolia both as a standard and a multi-stem tree.
Quercus warei 'Nadler': a great tree for extreme conditions
"This tree can withstand drought, heat, and wind," De Jong explains. "It requires little maintenance. The foliage is a fresh green, turning golden yellow in autumn. The leaves only drop in spring, so the oak retains its ornamental value through winter. It's a slender tree, making it ideal for streets and avenues. This oak is significantly less prone to issues like mildew or caterpillar infestations compared to the common oak."
Quercus ×warei 'Nadler' can grow to a height of 10 to 12 meters with a width of about 3 meters. Its characteristic columnar shape remains intact. This oak tolerates both wet and dry conditions but prefers a slightly heavier sandy soil. De Jong says: "It's a great tree for extreme climate conditions. Because of its shape, it's often seen along roads and in avenues."
Zelkova serrata 'Urban Ruby'
"This Japanese Zelkova has beautiful dark green leaves, a slender, elegant form, and a spectacular autumn color. The deep green of summer turns into deep red and ruby in fall—like autumn fire has descended. This is a very robust tree, unaffected by diseases or limb breakage in storms. It grows quickly yet remains compact. The tree can reach 10 to 12 meters in height. Its bark may start to peel slightly. It's an easy tree that tolerates both clay and sandy soils," says De Jong. "You often see this tree along streets and avenues, but it's also suitable for containers. We offer this Zelkova both as a single-stem and as a multi-stem tree, in sizes from 12-14 to 18-20 cm girth."
Pinus wallichiana, weeping pine, Himalayan pine
"This sturdy tree is also called the weeping pine or Himalayan pine because the needles hang slightly downward, which some associate with a 'sorrowful' appearance. But it's truly a showstopper. It also purifies the air very well. The gracefully drooping branches have soft needles that emit a resinous scent. This tree can grow up to 15 meters tall, but pruning is important. However," De Jong emphasizes, "you should break the young shoots by hand rather than cut them with pruning shears. That way you get a full, strong crown. It's best to do this annually."
This tree is also tolerant of both wet and dry conditions and thrives on both clay and sandy soils.
The needles of this Pinus wallichiana are bluish-grey, and as the tree matures, it produces long, banana-shaped cones. "We stock this Pinus as a solitary tree, which means the branches grow from the base all the way up. It's best to give this tree plenty of space so it can be fully appreciated. By breaking off the new shoots, you'll grow a beautiful, strong tree."
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"With Pinus wallichiana, you must break the young shoots—not cut them with pruning shears."
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This article was originally published on May 3, 2025 on the Boom In Business website.
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