Upright or Column-Like Trees

Columnar or fastigiate trees

Botanically speaking, fastigiate refers to trees with parallel, erect and densely-clustered branches; this term has since come to refer more widely to narrow-crown trees derived from natural sports that do not produce true seed; instead they are propagated as cultivars instead and generally require careful pruning as young trees develop to ensure upright growth.

Fastigiate trees require great care in their placement as their unnatural appearance can make a statement about what matters in an outdoor space. Fastigiate conifers work particularly well when planted in formal gardens-reminiscent of true cypress in Italian Renaissance gardens-and when placed along formal rows. Fastigiate trees can also add verticality on sloping sites; placing one pair either side of an entrance can add steadiness. Other less upright-growing varieties make great choices for plantings on narrow roads or at the centere of lawns where space may be limited; for instance when space constraints dictated this option was chosen over others!

Broad-leaved ACER SACCHARINUM PYRAMIDALE An upright form of silver maple that’s great for street planting.

BETULA PENDULA FASTIGIATA This slow-growing form of the common birch, similar to an upright besom.

CARPINUS BETULUS FASTIGIATA This cultivar of CARPINUS BETULUS FASTIGIATA stands out as an exceptional pyramidal rather than truly fastigiate species of hornbeam.

CRATAEGUS MONOGYNA STRICTA has an upright crown with narrow leaves.

FAGUS SYLVATICA FASTIGIATA
The Dawyck beech tree makes an attractive erect specimen.

LABURNUM ANAGYROIDES PYRAMIDALIS This is a species of upright laburnum.

LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA FASTIGIATUM
is an upright form of the tulip tree.

MALUS HUPEHENSIS ROBUSTA has large white flowers on an upright growth. M. prunifolia fastigiata, commonly referred to as the Fastigiate Siberian Crab is another interesting species with fastigiated growth characteristics.

POPULUS ALBA PYRAMIDALIS is a fast-growing, effective form of the white poplar; P. nigra italica is its larger-growing Lombardy counterpart.

PRUNUS ‘Amanogawa’ is an exceptionally fastigiate and small-growing cherry with double pink flowers; P. hillieri ‘Spire’ grows to Sm (25ft), producing pink blossoms as well as good autumn foliage; while P. ‘Umeniko’ produces single white blooms with foliage coloring in autumn.

PTELEA TRIFOLIATA FASTIGIATA An upright form of the hop tree.

Quercus robur fastigiata makes an interesting tree with its broadly columnar form and striking form.

ROBINIA PSEUDOACACIA ERECTA Is a narrow form of the false acacia with few leaflets; pyramidalis varieties feature upright, spineless branches.

SORBUS ACUPARIA FASTIGIATA Is an exceptionally narrow form of the rowan.

ULMUS CARPINIFOLIA SARNIENSIS
The Wheatley Elm is a large tree with flame-like form, ideal for street planting; U. glabra exoniensis is a slowgrowing, upright form of this variety, often featuring disfigured leaves.

CEDRUS ATLANTICA ARGENTEA FASTIGIATA The Atlas Cedar has an upright pyramidal form.

CHAMAECYPARIS LAWSONIANA This variety offers several narrowly upright forms, including allumii with blueish foliage; columnaris very narrow and glaucous blue; fraseri slender grey-green leaves; Kilmacurragh’s bright green; pyramidalis alba with white tip branches in springtime and wisselli (a fine tree reaching considerable size).

CUPRESSOCYPARIS LEYLANDII is a quick-growing tree with densely-foliated leaves. It can grow large but remains narrow.

This narrow shrub with medium height and almost grey foliage has very narrow leaves that appear almost grey-blue when watered regularly.

GINKGO BILOBA FASTIGIATA This upright form of the maidenhair tree makes an excellent street planting option.

JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS HIBERNICA The Irish Juniperus communis is columnar and requires support.

LIBOCEDRUS DECURRENS The Incense Cedar makes an eye-catching large columnar tree. –

Taxus BaccATA FASTIGIATA. A classic Irish churchyard yew, with golden leaves; known by its scientific name of fastigiata aurea.

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS FASTIGIATA is a slow-growing, very narrow tree.

THUJA PLICATA FASTIGIATA A narrow form of western red cedar that forms a tall tree.