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Finding a tree for a raised bed

EmmieDEmmieD Posts: 3
in Plants
I live in a 400 year old house situated on a hill with a higher hill also running parallel up behind the house, so the back garden was essentially dug out (by hand and a wheelbarrow I hear!). We have lots of layers of stone and slate crazy paving, being basically under ground! But we have several small beds which I have built up small walls and filled to about 18 inches deep. I would really love to have a couple of small trees ( maximum 10ft tall ish) but I'm wondering whether the beds would provide enough depth or would they be able to penetrate the gravelly stony layer underneath in order to keep growing successfully?

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Have you got some photos of the site @EmmieD ? Also, what aspect are the beds, and what sort of climate do you have - wet, dry, windy etc?  What area of the country are you in - roughly?
    That can all have a bearing on what might suit.  :)
    If there's enough moist soil available below the bit you've built up, then it might be possible to get young trees established well enough. They might need a bit of extra help for a while, and won't grow as large as they might in perfect conditions, but it should be possible to find something to suit.  :)  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • EmmieDEmmieD Posts: 3
    I'm inland Cornwall, on a hill but the garden itself is very sheltered. The bed I'd be planting a tree is a N-NW facing aspect and I'm surrounded by other gardens up the hill which overlook mine so it's quite a shady corner. Also very cool but gets some later afternoon sun. I will try to get some photos once the kids are in bed!
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