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Which tree privacy

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Hi im looking for ideas to obstruct the window just above my rear fence the garden is north north east

thanks

Posts

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154

    In a couple of years , that Cupressus macrocarpa 'Goldcrest' will be too large for that pot ; why not plant that in the spot you require and keep it around eight or nine foot tall with a once per year prune ?

    If you intend moving that Phormium in the corner , be prepared for quite a major task as they have a very tough root system

  • dark9dark9 Posts: 5

    Thanks Paul thanks for that will the Goldcrest grow to that hight if in the ground hadn't thought of that,the Phormium can they be moved any idea best time of year I'm not a big fan of it if honest 

  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154

    Hi dark9

    The 'Goldcrest' will get enormous in open ground in a relatively short time ; unless you want a giant , regular light pruning is essential .

    If you're not bothered about the Phormium , extricate at any time ! ( A large axe might be handy for the roots) !!image

  • You can cut the phoemium leaves to the ground with a hedge trimmer, chop a chunk out of the roots and replant as a smaller plant. 

    I am a fan of pieris for screening...very easy to trim and stays green. 

  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530

    Householders have a legal "right to light" which is sometimes called on to block planning applications when someone wants to erect a building in front of someone else's window. I don't know if the same applies to trees, but for every post on this forum from someone wanting "screening" and "privacy", there is one from someone whose enjoyment of their home and garden is blighted by a neighbour's oversized and/or invasive plants.

    Do you know the people who live behind that window?  Invite them in for coffee so they can see your end of the situation, and see whether you can negotiate a compromise.  Upstairs windows are mostly bedrooms and bathrooms, not windows people generally spend a lot of time looking out of, so is it really a problem?  My neighbours on three sides can see into my back garden from their upstairs windows, and it doesn't seem to be doing me or the garden any harm.  If my garden looked as good as yours, I'd want to show it off, not hide it!

    Last edited: 02 October 2017 14:09:45

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117

    You're actually better planting a smaller shrub about half to two thirds of the way down the garden instead of planting on the boundary. It's an age old design trick and saves having issues with large trees. 

    Or a small pergola or similar with climbers at around the same place. 

    You could hide the whirly in behind that too, so that you're not looking out at your smalls...the neighbours at the back can have that view instead  image

    The 'right to light' thing is a bit of a myth.

    Big hedges are the thing that causes more problems than anything else, and there are laws about those now. 

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • josusa47josusa47 Posts: 3,530

    Fairy Girl, I took legal advice when a large industrial shed was being built opposite my last house, thus depriving us of our sea view.  That solicitor told us, "You have a right to light, but not to a view."  He gave me the impression that we could have taken action if it had been close enough to block the light from our windows, which it wasn't.  So I think it's more a legend than a myth, ie, I think it has some basis of truth.

    However, I do think your suggestion is better than what Dark9 is thinking of doing.  Probably more effective, and much less likely to upset the neighbours.

  • dark9dark9 Posts: 5

    Thank you all for taking the time to reply it's much appreciated 

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