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Does this tree need support?

joe.shimminjoe.shimmin Posts: 214
in Wildlife gardening
Hi, I’ve just taken down some leylandii type conifers next to my house. I left some of the trunks in as places for birds to perch and plan to grow ivy up them for the birds. In amongst the conifers there was this sycamore which has grown by chance. Up til now it has been protected from wind etc by the other trees around it but now it is more exposed is there anything I can do to help it? Competition for light and water/nutrients has just gone down, which is a plus for it but it’s a bit gangly as it has been growing up to try to get out of the shade. 
Thanks, Joe

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Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I'd take that out as well, it's not a garden tree any more than a huge conifer is.



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    nutcutlet said:
    I'd take that out as well, it's not a garden tree any more than a huge conifer is.

    I agree with Nut ... take it out. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Have to agree with the others, that tree will never look good.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • joe.shimminjoe.shimmin Posts: 214
    Fair enough. Thanks for the advice. Any suggestions for an alternative?
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    That depends on what you want from a tree - size, shape, stem or leaf colour, blossom, fruits - as well as where you are and what soil you have and if your garden is sheltered or exposed.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923
    edited October 2018
    in answer to your question 'does it need supporting' no, it needs removing, unless you want a tree larger than your house in few years.
    i'd also remove the stumps and not bother with ivy, as if you want ivy to grow, it won't (it only seems to grow where you don't want it!) and plant some nice shrubs instead, as they're more likely to attract birds and will be far more attractive than an ivy covered stump
    if you're wanting a tree in that location, how close is it to your house?
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited October 2018
    @joe.shimmin as said above, shrubs may be a better option, certainly wildlife friendly. Is it a sunny site ? Once you've got rid of the stumps and roots, the soil will be fit for nothing, so you will need to do some preparation before replanting. 
  • joe.shimminjoe.shimmin Posts: 214
    OK, great, I’ll remove the tree and the stumps and prepare the ground for planting. I take it that means manure? 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    You can use manure - have a look at this for advice, and l daresay there will be more on here in a bit !
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=237
  • Paul NPaul N Posts: 303
    Our last garden had a number of 30ft high Sycamores along one border - utterly dreadful things. They put half of the garden in shade, shed tons of leaves in the autumn and trillions of sycamore seedlings in the spring. They have no place in a garden IMO.

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