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Advice on tree planting

nhfnbcz2swwb2Owo-Inhfnbcz2swwb2Owo-I Posts: 4
in Plants
Hello :) I'd love some advice on what kind of tree to plant in our garden. I want something fast growing to create more privacy after our neighbour cut down all their trees and bushes. We have a lot of mature trees already in the garden, so the spot is shady but will get sun for most of the day once the tree gets higher than the 6ft fence. The spot we're thinking of planting is around 2 metres from the mature trees - will this be ok or will there be competition for water from the established trees? 

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @nhfnbcz2swwb2Owo-I Is it possible to post a photo please. Trees that are fast growing continue to grow fast.
    Just to say not a quick easy solution.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • nhfnbcz2swwb2Owo-Inhfnbcz2swwb2Owo-I Posts: 4
    Thank you :) I know what you're saying with the fast growing trees. The ongoing maintenance would be an issue. We want to fill the gap circled below. Neighbour is threatening to remove his final 2 trees which takes away a huge amount of privacy so trying to get ahead by planting our own. Could be tricky with all the roots below but hopefully there's a solution. 


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited April 2023
    @nhfnbcz2swwb2Owo-I Welcome. I am not sure there is a solution. Getting anything going in such a difficult spot is more or less impossible. The conifers will take all the light/ water/ nutrients.
    I can see you are a very keen gardener, your garden looks lovely. I wish I could offer more confident advice.
    Perhaps you could add something in the foreground and improve the prospective but it may also hi light it. @Dovefromabove is an artist any thoughts please? 

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think I'd do a pergola or something similar in there and have climbers. From the fence on the right hand side and across to the path.
    That would also help to hide the unattractive trunks of the conifers ,and provide a backdrop to the other planting. The ground would need a bit of prep, and the climbers would need to be chosen accordingly, but it wouldn't be difficult, as many are more than happy in shade. The ground looks very dry, but that isn't necessarily a problem either with the right choices, and if they're planted in the best sites and trained up and across  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited April 2023
    @Fairygirl has made a good suggestion something to the right of your dog to draw the eye away from what is behind. If your neighbours remove more trees you could also be faced with different growing conditions for plants. Those in shade could be in sun.
    Perspective is to do with having something in the foreground to take the eye away from what is going on behind?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • nhfnbcz2swwb2Owo-Inhfnbcz2swwb2Owo-I Posts: 4
    Thanks so much @GardenerSuze @Fairygirl - It's a tricky one for sure! I like the idea of a pergola/structure to draw the eye away. Much less risky than investing in a tree that may fail. I'm now thinking we could also build up some (huge) tall wooden planters by the fence and plant some tall shrubs to help with some privacy :) 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - large raised beds will do a good job, although I'd be putting some along the back to hide those conifer trunks  :)
    A pergola on the right hand side will pretty much screen the garden next door if you position it correctly - the length of the space from your existing planted bed, along to the pole near the conifers. It wouldn't need to come out too far - length rather than depth.  :)

    This kind of thing - sorry it's a bit wobbly. I don't have my usual facility for editing on this new laptop

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



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • nhfnbcz2swwb2Owo-Inhfnbcz2swwb2Owo-I Posts: 4
    Yes, the dream is to have a wall of planters along the back filled with ferns and shade loving plants to hide all the trunks and bare soil. If I can source enough pallets I think we can do it fairly cheaply :) 
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