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Ideas for large screening tree

Qwerty7Qwerty7 Posts: 27
in Problem solving
We have a beautiful False Acacia tree in our garden which sadly has to be felled as it's leaning due to a fractured tree root.   Can anyone please suggest an idea for a replacement tree - it is away from the houses but we need something either deciduous or evergreen that can grow up to 7m fast to act as a screening tree.  

We do not want something like a leylandi as that I think planting them is the equivalent of putting up a sign saying "we don't like our neighbours"(!) but something lovely to look that blocks the neighbours' line of sight to our garden.   I don't think we can put in another false acacia - it would be a reminder of the lovely one that we have to let go.  

Thank you for any ideas.
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  • Qwerty7Qwerty7 Posts: 27
    On reflection - I think 7m (as I said in the post above) is too small.  We need a large tree - something that would grow about the size of a beech tree etc.  I'm not sure how tall that would be in metres - maybe 20m ? Thank you 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Oooh that is big. 
    Could  you show us a photo of the site so we can get an idea of what will suit?  
    What sort of soil do you have and whereabouts roughly are you. Is it windy, sheltered, dry, damp …. Those are the sort of things that’ll help us make useful suggestions. 

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





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm afraid nothing will grow to that size 'quickly', unless you can afford a very mature specimen.
    Anything growing quickly, will be rampant, and will need constant pruning and managing to stop it taking off completely. Things like Eucalyptus spring to mind. 
    A fairly average specimen of Beech, or similar, will take a couple of years just to establish and start growing. By average, I mean something around 5 or 6 feet, which would still be considered a young tree   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Qwerty7Qwerty7 Posts: 27
    Thank you for your comments and advice.  Yes, I should be more patient with this!  We found out today that we can't save our tree which really was a centre-piece so I think i'm rushing to find an alternative....  We live in South London/Kent area and this would be for a sunny area of the garden - pretty much full sun all day.  The soil is neutral soil and probably slightly on the dryer side.  I will try to take a photo and upload.  Thanks.
  • Qwerty7Qwerty7 Posts: 27
    This is the tree that needs to be felled - only planted about 7 years ago.  Can you see how it blocks the windows from the neighbour's house from looking on to our garden but yet without being too oppressive for them.  Thank you for any ideas. 
  • CharlotteFCharlotteF Posts: 337
    Sorry about your tree! That looks to be around 8m high as a rough estimate; are you sure you want something so much bigger? It looks nicely in proportion, and given it's so close to your boundary you'll need to consider spread as well. 

    If it's delicate screening you're looking for, how about creating a little 'copse' of birches? We have 3 Betula utilis jacquemontii 'snow queen' planted a couple of feet apart from each other, and they've reached a good height fairly quickly while staying very upright and not too shading.
  • Qwerty7Qwerty7 Posts: 27
    Thank you - the idea of a few trees instead of one giant seems interesting.  At least then we have back up if one doesn't make it.   

    Please ignore my ideas about height - I really don't think I am good at measuring tree height in metres and I have either hugely under or over estimated height.   We need something tall enough to give privacy from a Victorian House with 3 floors.

    Thank you 
  • CharlotteFCharlotteF Posts: 337
    I'm really bad at estimating height too- in some ways it's a little easier with a photo! I'm just assuming your fence is around 1.8m and then roughly going from there.

    I was admiring some native field maples in the town centre today and something like that might be suitable. Hillier nurseries have been breeding several different trees to be more upright and predictable in growth habit. They've called them the 'streetwise' series. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=acer+campestre+streetwise&client=safari&hl=en-gb&sxsrf=AOaemvIdHBYUHKS8Ee0eK58E_6WVAUaIyA:1634749528808&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwin-tfHvNnzAhXSs6QKHZs3BDoQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1121&bih=728&dpr=2

    https://landscapermagazine.com/tree-cultivors-to-improve/
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    That's a nice tree. Have you been told by an expert that it needs to be felled? It doesn't look particularly thick in the trunk and I'm wondering if you can pull it straight to whack a post support in. I've seen this done with much larger trees but they have to have a bit of swing in the trunk for it to work but if it does then I'd at least give it a try. If it was my tree I'd see if this was an option first.
  • cmarkrcmarkr Posts: 142
    I'd second the birch suggestion, lots of attractive options, especially for winter interest. They're also fast growing without becoming overbearing.
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