Narrow border tree

Dennis Dobson · September 2018

Hi i have a very narrow border between a concrete path and a fence .it's about 12 inches wide and I would like to grow something tallish say about 12 to 16 feet to hide neighbours garage .are there any trees that could handle this situation cheers

Paul B3 · September 2018

I would avoid conifers as they can get pretty wide ; have you thought about an upright form of Crab-Apple ?

I planted one years ago in a garden I used to work in ; Malus tschonoskii (commonly known as the Pillar-Apple) .

Nice blossom and usually good Autumn colour . Not evergreen I know , but would provide a screen of sorts for several months of the year .

Check Google Images and see what you think !

Hope this helps

hogweed · September 2018

If the border is only 12 inches wide you are going to have to start with a very small tree! Are you willing for the tree to possibly crack your concrete, make problems with the fence and also willing to wait about 10 years +, even if it does manage to survive, before it provides a half decent screen??

ZeroZero1 · September 2018

There are lots of trees thaat fit the bill. Have you thought about an espalier tree? This is a tree trained to grow against a wall. Typically fruit trees such as apple pear and cherry. Think about light too. Espaliers would be shorter of course

treehugger80 · September 2018

you need a fastigiate or columnar tree if you want height and not much width, if you have a fence what about a climber rather than a tree

tessagardenbarmy · September 2018

Hi . I'd go fastigiate or how about buying a ready pleached tree with a frame provided.

Lizzie27 · September 2018

A tree wouldn't really be suitable in that space. What about erecting an arbour with trellising (you can DIY) and then growing say an evergreen climber over it. Or two or three tall posts with rope swags between them and a rambler rose along the rope.

Fairygirl · September 2018

I agree with Lizzie. Posts and trellis and a decent climber or two, depending on the length you need to cover. It will also depend on whwether you need access to the fence on a regular basis.
A Montana clematis, once established and properly trained horizontally, will cover a good height and distance, and will cope with poorer sites and restriction. 4 x 8 foot posts would be ideal, 6 feet apart, with trellis [approx 3 x 6 feet ]attached horizontally across the top to give enough height. You wouldn't need to cover the lower parts of the posts. One montana planted in the middle and trained up and across each side will fill that if properly prepped. Although not evergreen, you have the framework over winter which will spill out over the trellis.
You could then put in some understorey planting up to the base of the trellis, even if it's just spring bulbs. It would depend on how well you prep the existing site though, but a load of manure, topsoil and some decent compost dug in will support plenty of bulbs and perennials.
If you really want trees, common rowans will survive if the spot isn't dry. Sorbus aucuparia.

JennyJ · September 2018

Don't forget that trees planted that close to the fence will eventually overhang the boundary (unless very very slim-growing), and the neighbour has the right to chop off anything that overhangs, which could spoil the look of the trees. (I can imagine the post on here - my neighbour has planted trees really close to the fence, can I cut them off?)

Dennis Dobson · September 2018

Thanks everyone for your advice think that posts and trellis seem the best bet .cheers

dappledshade · September 2018

Another idea: if the border is self contained, bamboo would do well. They are tough as anything, grow fast to create coverage, are evergreen and will colonise an area fast,
I know I normally avoid them like the plague in the main garden birders, since they are often highly invasive, but in your situation they could work well.