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Planting birch in patio

13

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're popular for a good reason. Easy to establish and maintain, tolerant of any soil, and good range of interest.  :)
    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
    Aye, I have two in my garden and I love them.
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm awaiting one to come back into stock for a specific spot.
    Had a nice  'tree shaped' one in a previous garden, in a corner by the hedge, and the new owners chopped it down along with the hedging. Fortunately, it seems to have grown back well, and the latest owner hasn't done the same butchering  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • These sound wonderful. My only issue by the looks of things is cost. I’m reading they’re pretty slow growing, and cost for a 4m is well over a thousand pounds. 5 x that of the birch. Ouch!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    You'd find a young version of all those trees would be fairly inexpensive, although Magnolias always tend to be a bit dearer due to the growth habit. 

    Buying mature trees is also pretty risky, as well as expensive, unless you know how to establish them properly.  :)
    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
    See this firm Steven, it gives choices of trees, sizes and prices. As Fairygirl says, it's dicey to buy fully grown trees.

    https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/amelanchier-lamarckii-tree-p278
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • Thanks @Fairygirl if I buy a young tree - what sort of time am I looking to get a 4m height as I really eventually need??
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    edited January 2022
    Another possibility is a fastigiate tree, developed to be tall and narrow.  There's a fastigiate birch which grows to 5m high with a 2m spread at maturity:

    Betula pendula Fastigiata Joes | Buy White Upright Birch Trees (ornamental-trees.co.uk)

    Or an upright Golden Elm (4m x 2m) :

    Ulmus x hollandica Wredei Tree | Buy Golden Elm Trees (ornamental-trees.co.uk)

    You could also get more sun onto your patio by raising the crown of these trees which involves removing the lower branches to give you a more contemporary look. This styling would complement your very smart house extension!


    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    I love birch, they are probably my favourite tree family but they are incredibly messy. This isn't a problem in my wilder garden but in a smart garden you might regret adding them. They do have lovely winter colour but you could get that from a cherry, which also give you a spring display. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    That's a 'how long is a piece of string?' question @steven.g.garner 
    Conditions, climate etc will dictate. However, many young trees will reach a height of 3 or 4 metres within a few years, but they won't be filled out and mature.
    I've got a rowan here, courtesy of the birds, which I moved last spring into the main garden, from it's location in a cramped little corner behind the shed .
    It probably took around four years to reach the height it is just now, which is about 7 to 8 feet, from being a small sapling, but it won't be mature, and have a reasonable size of canopy, for many years. Trunk is only around an inch in diameter.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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