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Help me pick a tree for my garden 🌳

Dinnerplatedahlias🌸Dinnerplatedahlias🌸 Posts: 99
in Problem solving
I’m planning on planting 2 trees in my garden both near my north facing fence. Mainly to try benefit wildlife and look nice. 

I’ve chosen varieties that grow 3-4m high with an ‘average’ rate of growth. 

The issue I have is buying a tree at under £50 gets me one around 1.5-2m tall therefore at this height the tree would be shaded by my fence for most of the day only getting 3-4 hours direct sunlight tops. 
Once it’s over 2.5m (the height of my fence) the canopy of the  tree will get nearly full sun. 

The question I have is do I plant something for shade or sun? 
I would love a crab apple/ desert apple tree but I doubt it would get enough sunlight to flower/ fruit well until it’s taller. 
Or do I get something that can tolerate a little shade like a Rowan tree? 

Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts. 
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Posts

  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    My "go to" answer is always Amelanchier. There are various varieties, but you might find something here
    https://www.paramountplants.co.uk/blog/index.php/amelanchier/
  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 782
    You are talking about getting a tree that is only 1-0.5m short of being free from shade so I don't think you need to look for a particularly shade tolerant tree variety. Most trees are adapted to start life under larger trees in a forest and can put on that much extra growth in a year once settled in. Rowan, amelanchier, apple and crab apples can make very nice trees.
    Happy gardening!
    https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableveg/videos
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Rowans and Amelanchiers would certainly be excellent, but I'd agree with @robairdmacraignil - I think you're worrying unnecessarily. 
    As long as you prep the site well, and give them adequate care and attention in the following year or so, most trees would be fine. A crab apple should certainly cope well. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • SydRoySydRoy Posts: 167
    One of my favourite garden trees is Liquidamber - available in a number of forms. Might be worth a look?
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Echoing what a few have said above, I'd opt for Amelanchier and Liquidamber.  I have neither in my garden, and can only dream.  Paramount Plants, referred to above, are very local to me.  They have incredible plants, but are very, very expensive.  You'll find much cheaper nurseries elsewhere.  
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The hedging nurseries often supply single trees too, although they make not have stock. It's been tough for them all this year.

    Look at Hopes Grove nursery for a few ideas. There will be other sites too, but I've used them several times and they're very good.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • mgpriorityfufXeS9XmgpriorityfufXeS9X Posts: 3
    My vote also for the liquidambar styraciflua, the colours in spring and summer are overwhelmingly beautiful
  • Dinnerplatedahlias🌸Dinnerplatedahlias🌸 Posts: 99
    This is wonderful advice thank you all for your help. 

    @robairdmacraignil what you’ve said makes perfect sense you’ve really put my mind at ease ☺️

    To all the liquid amber voters I absolutely love your suggestions but the eventual height of this tree would just be too tall it wouldn’t be fair on neighbours to plant one this big. Maybe one day I’ll have the land/ space for it.

    An amelanchier sounds like a fab suggestion I’m going to check if I can get a variety that doesn’t go over 4m.

    Open to all other suggestions as it may not be planted till early spring 🌳 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    We have a multistemmed amelanchier ... it’s beautiful ...the pics were taken this autumn and last spring (quite late in the evening). 
    If it starts to get too large we will take out one stem every few years ... they’ll still be at a manageable size to cut out at the base. Then a new stem or two will sprout from the roots, keeping the tree at a reasonable size. 😊 




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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The thing is that the height isn't always the main factor with a tree - it's also about density of canopy. Sorbus [Mountain Ash[ rowan]  not Whitebeam ]and Amelanchier have nice light, airy  canopies, so if they're taller, it doesn't mean they're a solid barrier  :)
    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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