Ornamental Planting of Trees

Ornamental tree planting can be traced back to c. 2000 BCE in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, where trees like sycamore figs and date palms were planted in palace gardens purely for aesthetic and symbolic value rather than for food.

In ancient China, ornamental landscapes were already highly developed by the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE), where trees were arranged to represent harmony between humans and nature – a principle still central to East Asian garden design.

Japanese cherry blossom trees (sakura) are a classic example of trees planted for a brief but intense seasonal moment. The beautiful tradition of hanami (flower viewing) dates back to the Nara period (710–794 CE). Occurring from late March to early May, this two-week celebration represents the appreciation of life's fleeting beauty, often involving food, drinks, and socialising.

Sakura trees may be replanted every few decades, even if the tree could last for many years more, so that the blossom density remains visually consistent, demonstrating the significant ornamental value of the tree.

After complaints about fallen fruit and pollen, many cities began planting sterile cultivars in the mid–late 20th century. Therefore, some of the most healthy-looking and ecologically beneficial trees may actually be more often found in parks and arboretums.

In the 1960s-80s, parts of the US, Japan and Europe widely planted male ginkgo trees in urban areas to avoid the strong-smelling fruit produced by females. However, this aesthetic decision had unintended ecological consequences. Male trees release more allergenic pollen, and without female trees nearby to trap it, the residents were affected by the high-pollen environment. Furthermore, many of the planted male trees were clones, reducing the genetic diversity and increasing the risk of disease or pest infestation.

During the 17th century, French formal gardens treated trees as part of the architecture. At the Palace of Versailles, trees were planted in straight rows to create forced perspective, making paths appear longer and grander than they actually are!

Many ornamental trees have been cultivated by humans and do not actually exist in the wild. For example, numerous cherry blossom varieties were hybridised in Japan during the Edo period (1603–1868) to maximise flower size at the expense of fruit production. These trees are effectively living sculptures, designed for appearance rather than ecological function.

Designer Capability Brown famously planted trees to hide and reveal views as visitors moved through the landscape, a technique strikingly similar to cinematic blocking!