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Planting birch in patio

24

Posts

  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    My honest opinion is that 2 Himalayan birches would be 1 tree too many for the space. Apart from height, the spread has to be considered and each tree has a spread of about 25ft. How wide is your garden? If you placed the trees in the position in your drawing they would grow over into your neighbours gardens.

    If you prune the height and the width you run the risk of spoiling the shape of the trees. Have you considered planting just one smaller tree that would stay in the confines of your garden and that you wouldn't need to prune? 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • Thanks @Uff totally appreciate your view. My only issue is I’ve looked so much into trees that will give me some privacy but also let light through and only ended up with the birch. Any other reccomends would be appreciated 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Amelanchier lamarckii ?

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





  • @Dovefromabove oh how funny! A friend mentioned this to me - is never heard of them. They seem more of a ‘bush’ though but I may be looking at the wrong thing??
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    Ok, changing the goalposts slightly, I'm sure you will get some good recommendations from members using their own experiences. 

    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited January 2022
    Thinking about the height you want … Amelanchier canadensis  might be better … they go up to 8 metres. 
    Spring blossom and then pinky new leaves, then green foliage with  berries which you can eat if the blackbirds spare you any, and then the most glorious autumn colour. 
    And they don’t shed leaves all summer in the annoying way that birches do. 
    A lovely small tree. 

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





  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    I planted a magnolia stellata in a special hole we left for a small tree when we built the patio in our last house, and on the other side we had a sorbus (sorry, can't remember the variety).  I loved both of them and they broke the expanse of patio up very nicely.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    Crab apple-tree?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd go with Amelancher. Provides everything you'd need.
    2 birches is two too many IMO. [a lot of twos there! ]
    Even a rowan would be fine, if it gets enough moisture. Lighter canopies.
    The stellata Magnolia is also a good shout.
    Euonymous alatus is also a lovely specimen. Great for autumn colour and well behaved.

    You may regret having something too big in that space. It isn't very large  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    I was going to recommend Amelanchier too. They can be kept in a shrub like size or allowed to grow to whatever size you want them. As Dove says, the leaf colour is lovely in spring and autumn and the blossom is very pretty. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
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