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Evergreen trees

DianaChudleighDianaChudleigh Posts: 9
in Problem solving
My friend lives in a ground floor flat in Glasgow, overlooked by a supermarket car park.  She is in discussion with the supermarket regarding the planting of evergreen trees to stop folk looking in her bedroom window.  The supermarket is perfectly amenable to this but has asked what type of tree she would like.  She knows nothing about trees and has asked for advice.  Any suggestions?
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  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    It would be helpful to give us an idea of growing conditions and size requirements. Couldn't a more satisfactory solution be with climbers and trellising so as not to make the garden dark with an evergreen tree? A photo of the space would be invaluable too. 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • DianaChudleighDianaChudleigh Posts: 9
    The planting would not be in a garden but along the grassy edge of a supermarket car park.  Along the front windows of the flat there is a pavement, a road and a second pavement beyond.  The car park lies along the second pavement, and she is hoping for a row of trees between the car park and the windows of her flat.   
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Ah that clarifies the situation, thank you. Come on tree loving forumers, what do we think? 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think it's a problem  :)
    The only evergreens are of the conifer/pine type. Forget suggestions which might be ok in the south. Even in Glasgow itself, many of those will struggle in winter wet.
    I think it would be better to simply have good, deciduous trees which won't cause all sorts of other problems.
    Rowans [Sorbus] would be perfect. Either of the Sorbus in fact - Rowan or Whitebeam. 
    Bear in mind that they won't instantly give cover - even if the supermarket plants mature specimens  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    If I am understanding correctly that she is on the ground floor, then I am not sure trees with trunks are the best way to get cover? Surely some large shrubs/bushes would be better to give coverage at the lower level? Pyracantha? Eleagnus? Or even bamboo? You want something that is going to be dense from the ground up.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    How about Viburnum tinus?  Or is it not hardy enough in Glasgow?
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It would be fine @Liriodendron. I think shrubs are probably a better bet. The windows are much lower than the ones in my ground floor flat were.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I also think evergreen shrubs would be better than trees if it's only a ground floor flat and suitably sized ones could give immediate coverage. The tenant/owner will still have a problem however with pedestrians on the pavement nearer to her flat.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • DianaChudleighDianaChudleigh Posts: 9
    Looking at the photo, I wondered if occupants further up the road had already raised the problem, as there seems to be a row of trees (too tall to ensure privacy) with under-planting of shrubs.  Viburnum tinus does look a good bet (and Glasgow is not cold, just wet) - I am not familiar with Liliodendron.  How would an under-planting of evergreen shrubs work with Rowans or Whitebeam, say?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Sorry @DianaChudleigh - the Liriodendron I was referring to is the forum member  :)
    You could have some shrubs under Sorbus. It would just depend on what the situation was with maintenance etc. Even just Euonymous fortunei or similar would do.
    There's more than enough rainfall here for a good mix  :)
    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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