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What trees won't damage a retaining wall/ paving?

wemyssgardenwemyssgarden Posts: 7
in Plants
I have a border which is in front of a retaining wall and I want to add a few trees in for privacy but worried the roots could cause damage. 
What small ornamental trees could be planted directly in front of (within inches) the retaining wall and close to paving slabs without risk of damage? 
The trees would also be quite close to other plants in the border - is this likely to cause these plants problems? 

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  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It comes down to the usual things - when you say the border's small, what exactly does that mean?
    What sort of plants are in there already?
    I'm guessing you're up here near the west coast, judging by your user name, but what is your soil like and what prep has been done? 
    Amelanchiers can be planted close to walls etc without any problem, and aren't fussy as to soil type, but you'll need to prep the ground really well for any tree, and do a lot of watering to make sure they establish.
    I certainly wouldn't try planting just now, even though it normally wouldn't be a problem, but it's been far too dry for ages, and it's a waste of water to start establishing trees. Autumn is better, unless the weather goes back to it's usual setting.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    What sort of height and width are you hoping to achieve with your trees? A photo would also help with recommendations. I agree with @Fairygirl, it’s not the best time to be planting trees but worth deciding on what will be suitable now and preparing your soil in advance.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    edited June 2023
    I wouldn't plant any ornamental tree 'within inches' of paving and particularly not a retaining wall. I get the feeling from your post that the border is less than 2 foot wide, which is probably too narrow for a tree if backed by a wall IMO. You could plant a small tree in a very large container (60cm+) on the paving, or remove a section of paving.
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited June 2023
    The new series of Garden Rescue goes to Wales. The lady was a keen gardener new property. There was a wall in the small garden with three Mountain Ash growing right next to it. Ignored  by the Garden Rescue Team. Take them out and the garden wouldn't look so good maybe? Either the wall or the trees will be gone in the next few years.
    The owner loved wildlife and was interested in ecology which the team loved. Surely sustainability should have been thought of too. They were young trees that could have been moved to live out a full life elsewhere.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Bear in mind that the roots will want to spread out as far as the canopy so planting "inches" from the wall is probably too close for any tree or shrub.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • wemyssgardenwemyssgarden Posts: 7
    edited June 2023
    Fairygirl said:
    It comes down to the usual things - when you say the border's small, what exactly does that mean?
    What sort of plants are in there already?
    I'm guessing you're up here near the west coast, judging by your user name, but what is your soil like and what prep has been done? 
    Amelanchiers can be planted close to walls etc without any problem, and aren't fussy as to soil type, but you'll need to prep the ground really well for any tree, and do a lot of watering to make sure they establish.
    I certainly wouldn't try planting just now, even though it normally wouldn't be a problem, but it's been far too dry for ages, and it's a waste of water to start establishing trees. Autumn is better, unless the weather goes back to it's usual setting.  :)
    Thanks. It's about 90cm wide by 6m long. Plants already there include lavender, salvia, peonies, poppies, delphiniums, lupins. Nope I'm on the east coast. The border is new and I have recently dug out the existing soil completely (as it was full of bricks and rubble) and refilled it with a 50/50 mix of topsoil and organic compost. 
  • wemyssgardenwemyssgarden Posts: 7
    @Plantminded thanks... not wanting anything too big. Probably around 2-3 metres tall and preferably something that stays quite small width-wise to avoid taking too much ground space.
  • wemyssgardenwemyssgarden Posts: 7
    @Loxley thanks... planting on, or removing, the paving isn't an option as it's a path. The border is between a retaining wall and a path and the space is 90cm wide


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @wemyssgarden Sorry but I think it is back to you. Planting a tree to dig it up in a few years should not be an option.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    wemyssgarden said:
    @Plantminded thanks... not wanting anything too big. Probably around 2-3 metres tall and preferably something that stays quite small width-wise to avoid taking too much ground space.
    If the width is more important than height, an Amelanchier Obelisk might suit, the narrowest of the fastigiate forms with an eventual width of about 1.5m. I planted one earlier this year close to a fence and paving to obscure my neighbour’s view of the steps leading down to my lower garden. There’s a large mature Acer japonicum nearby in the same border which has caused no problem to the fence or paving over many years. As already mentioned it’s not the best time to plant a tree at this time of year but if you do, top the surrounding soil with a thick organic mulch and be vigilant with watering. It is a very attractive little tree by the way!
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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