Planting Trees According to Your Birth Month: A Guide for Your Home Garden

Planting Trees According to Your Birth Month: A Guide for Your Home Garden

When it comes to choosing trees for your garden, there are many factors to consider. One popular approach is to select trees based on your birth month, as dictated by the Celtic Tree Calendar. However, finding trees that provide privacy and symbolic meaning can be a challenge. Here's a guide to help you make an informed decision.

Birth Month Trees (Celtic Tree Calendar)

The Celtic Tree Calendar links 13 trees to specific birth date ranges, each representing different qualities and symbolism:

1. December 24 – January 20: Birch
2. January 21 – February 17: Rowan
3. February 18 – March 17: Ash
4. March 18 – April 14: Alder
5. April 15 – May 12: Willow
6. May 13 – June 9: Hawthorn
7. June 10 – July 7: Oak
8. July 8 – August 4: Holly
9. August 5 – September 1: Hazel
10. September 2 – September 29: Vine
11. September 30 – October 27: Ivy
12. October 28 – November 24: Reed
13. November 25 – December 23: Elder

Best Trees for Privacy Screening

For effective privacy and screening, the best trees tend to be fast-growing, dense evergreens that grow tall enough to block views:

• Leyland Cypress: Fast-growing (up to 3 feet per year) and dense, excellent for screening and privacy, commonly planted around homes for this purpose.
• Green Giant Arborvitae: Another fast-growing evergreen tree, often recommended for privacy screens.
• Other dense shrubs like Skip Laurel can also be used but do not typically reach tree heights.

Combining Birth Month Trees with Privacy Purposes

While some birth month trees might not be ideal for year-round privacy, combining symbolic birth month trees with fast-growing privacy evergreens can provide a practical and meaningful approach:

• The Rowan (Jan 21 – Feb 17) symbolizes protection and intuition, which metaphorically fits the idea of privacy.
• The Oak (Jun 10 – Jul 7) is a strong, majestic tree that can provide shade and some privacy but may grow more slowly.
• The Holly (Jul 8 – Aug 4), an evergreen with dense foliage, could be suitable as a privacy tree for those born in July.
• The Elder (Dec 24 – Jan 20) is known as one of the best shrubs for privacy.

Summary

If you want privacy trees with symbolic birth month significance, focus on evergreens from your birth month, like Holly for July, or plant fast-growing privacy-evergreens like Leyland Cypress or Green Giant Arborvitae regardless of month. The Celtic birth month trees are more symbolic and may be less practical for privacy screens compared to modern privacy trees known for rapid, dense growth.

[1]: Source: Tony O'Neill, gardening expert and best-selling author [2]: Source: Various gardening resources [3]: Source: Crocus, Thompson & Morgan, Gardening Express, B&Q [4]: Source: Tony O'Neill's YouTube channel and award-winning website

1. Incorporating aesthetics into privacy considerations, one could opt for the Rowan tree (January 21 – February 17) as it offers symbolic protection and intuition, complementing the idea of privacy.
2. For individuals born under the Oak tree (June 10 – July 7), the majestic and symbolic Oak tree might serve as a suitable option for providing some privacy while offering shade.
3. Considering the Elder tree (December 24 – January 20) can be a practical choice not only for its symbolism but also its qualities as one of the best shrubs for privacy.
4. To ensure year-round privacy and celebration of one's birth month, planting fast-growing privacy trees like the Leyland Cypress or Green Giant Arborvitae, regardless of birth month, can offer both privacy and decorative appeal.

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