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Planting Cupressus sempervirens 'Pyramidalis' Conifer between other trees

BenDoverBenDover Posts: 488
edited August 2020 in Problem solving
I have a gap at the back of the border of around 10 foot between a Sorbus (aka Rowan aka Mountain Ash) and a Ginko Biloba (Obelisk).  I was wondering to fill the space with a Cupressus sempervirens 'Pyramidalis' Conifer to provide a bit of evergreen all year-round interest and to increase privacy by adding a bit of height in the gap, but wondering if this might be a mistake.  The specs for the Cupressus sempervirens 'Pyramidalis' is that it only grows around 3 or 4 feet wide so it would fit the space, but just wondering the impact on moisture in the soil and whether it would create too much stress on the two trees either side. Being back of the border, it is already near the back fence.  The neighbour behind doesn't have anything growing on the other side as they have paving right up to the fence.  My soil is a sandy loam.  The Sorbus (Rowan) and the Ginko have been in the ground for 6 and 2 years respectively.   

Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Personally,  l think it would add to the stress either on the trees or on the conifer after it was planted.
  • BenDoverBenDover Posts: 488
    Thanks AnniD. I think I have come to the same conclusion. The soil already gets quite dry in summer especially being both sandy, near a fence and is in bright sunlight from midday to around 6pm in the summer. I think this would make it worse. Thanks for taking the time to respond and confirming my thoughts. Back to the drawing board.
  • BenDoverBenDover Posts: 488
    Just been reading up about Cupressus Sempervirens Totem, which is similar to the Pyramidalis but smaller.  It is said to only grow up to 4/5m tall and 0.5m wide.  I also understand that the root system is not that invasive.  Would anybody consider this as a suitable alternative to fill the gap?  I've actually measured the space now and the two existing trees are 2.3m apart trunk-to-trunk, so the Cupressus Sempervirens Totem would sit approximately in the middle of that so there would be around 1m apart on both sides trunk to trunk.  Still too small a gap and not enough root space for water requirements of all 3 trees??

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The canopies of the other two trees will meet when mature. 2.3 metres is less than 8 feet. There isn't room between them for another tree, even a columnar one, regardless of moisture levels. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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