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Ideas for a 8ft column tree in a pot

Tony HironTony Hiron Posts: 13
in Plants
Hello All, 1st time in the forum.
I want to replace a 12ft lleylandi thats got far too bushy and is growing directly above a sewer pipe with something that will grow in a large container. I want something about 8 ft tall and preferably column shaped/not too bushy as we walk past it to the side alley bins. Has anybody got ideas for me to look at. I really want to get an Acer in the garden but open to idea's. Thanks
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Posts

  • MrsGardenMrsGarden Posts: 3,951
    I've been looking for similar trees, I'll see if I can find the ones I short listed...
  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    If you already have a conifer you could replace it with another more columnar type. Thuja only grows out to about 2 or 3 feet wide and can be kept trimmed to shape. Acer's, as I know them, tend to be lower growing and wider.
    A yew would also be good as they are slow growing and can be trimmed and they have nice berries.
    Whatever you choose is going to need a lot of watering if it's in a container.
  • BobFlannigonBobFlannigon Posts: 619
    Physocarpus
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    fastigiate hornbeam?
    Devon.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    You will need a very large and heavy pot to counter balance the weight and height of an eight foot tree. The slightest puff of wind and it will fall over. You must be prepared to water it heavily, we are talking gallons of water, not watering cans full, about three times a day to keep it happy as trees need a huge amount of water.
  • MrsGardenMrsGarden Posts: 3,951
    edited July 2018
    • Common name: Upright silver pear tree -  Ornamental pear 
    • Height and spread in 20 years: 5 x 3 metres



    Liquidambar styraciflua 'Slender Silhouette'



    sorbus autumn spire


    Prunus 'Amanogawa' - Japanese flowering cherry



    Acer platanoides 'Crimson Sentry' Tree



    Not sure which, if any, are suitable in containers.

  • Tony HironTony Hiron Posts: 13
    Thanks for all your suggestions, I do like the look of the Italian Cypress this would fit perfectly in the space.
    The hornbeam would be suitable too and the pot would stop this from getting too big I assume, nice autumn colour.
    Thuja is very very interesting as well, a bit of fun keeping it trimmed.
    Looking at Physocarpus from a Google search, they look more bushy and smaller then I want (was there a specific specimen you were thinking off?) 
    Hadn't thought about the wind and watering as the containers was going to be a big one so that's something to consider. Going to save the Acer for the end of the garden!

  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933

    You will need a pot preferably square, less likely to tip over, which has an internal measurement of at least 1-1/2 mtrs diameter and which has a height of at least the same, 1-1/2 mtrs. When you plant the tree you will need to leave the soil level approx. 5/6 ins lower than the rim of the pot to allow space to water into.

    Terracotta pots dry out more quickly but have more weight. Plastic pots are cheaper but allow the soil and roots to get hot and dry and are much lighter in weight. You could try using a terracotta pot lined with heavy duty plastic to help retain moisture, as long as you punch drainage holes in the bottom of it. A spare sheet of pond liner or empty compost sacks are also a possibility.

  • Hampshire HogHampshire Hog Posts: 330
    Rather than a tree have you considered a bamboo there are many on the market short, tall some have beautiful canes fast growing, slow growing the list is endless.
    "A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."
  • Tony HironTony Hiron Posts: 13
    Hadn't thought of a bamboo which coincidently I do love.
    Thanks Mrs Garden for your idea's too. 
    I'm going to pull up the drain cover and see how deep the drains are, having a container is going to be pain with watering. I have plenty of ideas now, Thanks All.
    Time to do a bit of research. 
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