Yes, why not plant a fancy tree or two now and then? The late Alan Mitchell, one of the best known experts in these islands, had a serious article, with some playful asides and slight exaggerations, on this theme in a recent book. ("Exotic" was the adjective he used.) Native trees, he argued, almost all seed themselves and none is in need of conservation (and he put that word - in inverted commas, which is nowadays, he went on "mindlessly attached to everything growing". Jays - and there aren't so many in Ireland - planted hundreds of millions of oak trees every mast (i.e., abundant) year "Yet I am begged every so often to go and save an oak seedling from eradication since they are now so rare." And he tells us that a hundred thousand seedlings of Scots Pines are removed from Frensham Common to save the heathland for snakes and natterjack toads. Anyway, for a change, plant some exotic trees. They won't plant themselves, he urges.
And another reason: no attractive native tree is particularly suited to city life. They are nearly all forest edge species, needing woodland soils and clear air, a cool temperature and high humidity. For areas of paving stone, heat reflected from buildings, and drying winds of polluted air, other species are needed. And he names gingko, robinia, planes, honey locusts and others from various parts of the world.
But what would you use to brighten up your fields or garden or serious bit of planting? Well, the handkerchief tree, often mentioned here, davidia involucrata, also called the dove tree, both of which terms give a mental picture of one of the brightest adornments to any (biggish), garden. After one failed effort, advice was given that it could do with some side shade from a bigger tree.
Have you a warm corner, and are you far enough south, to indulge in a mimosa? In a cold greenhouse even, it is one of the few good things about January. A tulip tree, next. You all know it. If you have plenty of clear space, and some normal sized trees, why not give your descendants a thrill by planting giant sequoiadendron, known as Wellingtonia. Came to Europe only in 1853; you'll find some today of about 40 metres, soaring still. They may live for 4,000 years. Rising like a church spire. Robinia, with its huge hanging pods in autumn. The Judas tree, more properly tree of Judah, is seen in France. Maybe in Kerry it might grow, with its pink flowers and crimson stalk. Too risky?
Alan Mitchell was writing in The Tree Book by J. Edward Milner, a Channel 4 book. Dick Warner presented the TV series on which this is based. Back to fancy trees another day. Arbutus is taken as a native.