It would really help to have a photo, so that suggestions can also be more targeted. It becomes quite difficult to envisage areas, and when you say you want to screen the bottom third of the garden, the overall size of the plot is very relevant. A third of half an acre is quite different to a third of forty yards. As you've said you can't afford to buy mature specimens and you'll need four, we may be able to save you more unnecessary expense, and also possibly a very shady garden if the site isn't big enough to sustain larger trees or shrubs.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
It would really help to have a photo, so that suggestions can also be more targeted. It becomes quite difficult to envisage areas, and when you say you want to screen the bottom third of the garden, the overall size of the plot is very relevant. A third of half an acre is quite different to a third of forty yards. As you've said you can't afford to buy mature specimens and you'll need four, we may be able to save you more unnecessary expense, and also possibly a very shady garden if the site isn't big enough to sustain larger trees or shrubs.
The work has started today so I'll post pics when they have finished. I appreciate your help. I have family in the West Highlands and Dunfermline but I think that's not near you?
The west highlands aren't far. I'm about an hour's drive from the most southerly Munros at Arrochar/ west of Loch Lomond. South side of the central belt. I can see the hills on a clear day Dunfermline's on the other side - east, and on the north side of the central belt. Very different landscapes and climate, despite not being that far apart.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Any idea what this tree is? It's not very old and was planted by our local council (I've asked them but no response). My plant app says black acacia but it's oftern wrong. I like its lollipop shape.
It's hard to tell at distance but the street tree is either a robinia or a gleditsia. Interesting that it's in full leaf when the other trees around are not. I can see it's newly planted and suspect it's either been imported from warmer climes or been in a very protected nursery situation. Whether it's a robinia or a gleditsia it will be deciduous.
Field Maple? You do realise what size they make don't you?
(The reason I suggested field maple is because it's an acer that can take a hacking and not look awful. They makes a good screen / hedge. Like hazel you can coppice them if they get out of control. I love their natural shape though. Doubt I'll see some of mine as full grown specimens! I'm going to coppice mine this winter.)
Pleached hornbeam is nice, where space is an issue. But I like flowers.
I'd like to partner a winter flowering cherry with something like a cornelian cherry for a winter flower mix of pink and yellow. The latter looks to be bushy number in the summer.
Field Maple? You do realise what size they make don't you?
Too big huh?
Field maples are large trees of field margins and woodland. The clue is in the name. 😉
They can be grown as an informal tall hedgerow, with proper regular management ... but as Wayside describes above, this involves more than the twice yearly going over with shears that most people expect of a garden hedge.
I feel those wee field maples are being a little singled out here! A beech tree can grow enormous. But it can also look good in a hedge. Did we acertain how much screening was required and at what height?
Fiona no, you haven’t said yet what height you need the trees to be, also the length and width of the bed. Also what type of soil are you filling it with? Some trees need a more neutral to acid soil, others are happy in any PH. Some can cope with windy/exposed positions, others, like acers, need it a bit more sheltered and ideally not in full sun. If you don’t need them to be evergreen, there are more options but, as @Fairygirl has said, knowing what you want to screen and what distances we are talking about would help to make more targeted suggestions. There are lots of choices, but if you want them to do well, they have to suit your location and conditions. Sorry that sounds a bit nagging, but as you say, you want to get it right and we don’t want you to waste your limited funds!
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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It becomes quite difficult to envisage areas, and when you say you want to screen the bottom third of the garden, the overall size of the plot is very relevant.
A third of half an acre is quite different to a third of forty yards.
As you've said you can't afford to buy mature specimens and you'll need four, we may be able to save you more unnecessary expense, and also possibly a very shady garden if the site isn't big enough to sustain larger trees or shrubs.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Dunfermline's on the other side - east, and on the north side of the central belt. Very different landscapes and climate, despite not being that far apart.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.