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Pining for the right pine

Impatient_gardenerImpatient_gardener Posts: 5
in Problem solving
Hello everyone!

Im a novice Gardner and have a garden that’s about 75ft by 75ft.

I’m looking for a good fast growing pine or group of pines to block out security lights and cctv cameras (ppl love them here!) 
So a evergreen, thick tall pine is needed.

I have clay soil but Happy to add topsoil to aid growth.

I’d be so happy for suggestion as my knowledge of pines are 0. I think they are very attractive trees and the nearest I’m getting to the alps for a while :)

Thanks in advance

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited February 2021
    You'll be waiting a while if you want it big enough to block out security lights etc. They don't grow quickly, even with perfect conditions. They don't conveniently stop growing either - 80 to 100 feet isn't unknown depending on type  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Impatient_gardenerImpatient_gardener Posts: 5
    Fairygirl said:
    You'll be waiting a while if you want it big enough to block out security lights etc. They don't grow quickly, even with perfect conditions. They don't conveniently stop growing either - 80 to 100 feet isn't unknown depending on type  :)

    Thank you so much, My neighbors do not live next to me as such but a road divides us. So a tall pine would be lovely. I do not mind having someone out every year to keep it in check when it gets too dizzy heights haha.
    Thanks for you reply!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    When I said you'll be waiting a while - I did mean a very long while. It won't be twenty or thirty feet in a four or five years. 
    There are dwarf pines, but I'm guessing they wouldn't be much use.

    There are better options if you want something that grows big quickly, although there are also easier ways of screening than planting a large specimen on a boundary.
    It's a very common query on the forum  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    This is pretty comprehensive and worth a watch.

    https://youtu.be/LwW5zF5phmQ
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • Wild_VioletWild_Violet Posts: 221
    Hi I hope you find a suitable pine. Last year we had to have 4 pines (I guess like Xmas tree Douglas Fir types) at the bottom of our garden taken down as they were 75 ft high and we were told that they could double in height still.  I didn’t plant them but I did love them and it was a heartbreaking decision.  On the plus side we have plenty morning and early afternoon sunlight (when not overcast lol) and the houses behind them are sufficiently far away to not feel overlooked.  I hope you can find something suitable.  Scots pine is lovely but I have no idea of its growth rate nor final size. 🙂

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Scots pines easily get to around 80 to 100 feet @Wild_Violet. I assumed that was what the OP was referring to as it's the native one in the UK.
    Loads round here. Great for wildlife and shelter for birds, but they don't get to that size quickly.
    Not a solution for the problem IMO
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Wild_VioletWild_Violet Posts: 221
    @Fairygirl it’s my favourite kind of pine but at 80- 100ft in the garden - no thanks!  😊
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're not completely dense though, and the crowns are usually high too, so they don't cast as much shade as people assume they will.  :)
    There were two just along from me, and sadly, a householder had one removed last year - no idea why. The site of them wouldn't really have affected the amount of light into their garden, and there's plenty of rainfall, so not a great problem with planting anything nearby. 
    They're really striking when there's a clear sky and the moon shows above them.  :)


    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Impatient_gardenerImpatient_gardener Posts: 5
    Loxley said:
    This is pretty comprehensive and worth a watch.

    https://youtu.be/LwW5zF5phmQ

    This Ladies great isn't she? I've seen a couple of videos of hers previously.

    I'm now thinking maybe a fast(ish) growing hedge with some trees that hold onto their leaves? I've got a weird hatred for Leylandii and laurel (I like Portuguese laurel weirdly.

    I may plant a pine with a time capsule underneath with apologies to the next owner. But they are lovely but you are right not suitable for this issue!

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Pining for a pinus on Valentine's Day but has gone off the idea by the day after. It's a tale many will be familiar with :#
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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