Trees in Small Garden - May have to remove?

shardy · September 2023

Hello.
I live in a new build estate with very few trees, so my family and I are keen to have a couple in our garden, should space allow it.
Our garden is probably 10m x 12m.

When we moved in, we were gifted 3 "dwarf fruit trees" (Apple, Pear, Plum).

I'm assuming they are in fact "dwarf" and the person who gifted them knew what they were talking about.

Anyway, 18months in and the Plum grew to 12ft at least. Apple to 8ft. Pear to 5ft.

This week I've had to move them, because the neighbours were concerned about how close they were to their house. (I was actually planning to move them anyway over the summer, as this was already a concern for me).

I've moved 2 of them so far to the most central point I can (about 6m away from the rear neighbours house (right building in photo), 6m away from our house, and 1.5m away from adjacent neighbours retaining wall (left wall/fence in photo)).

Here is a picture (Plum left, Apple right):

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/ys/7ypk495mox7j.png

Anyway... they don't look too healthy since I've moved them, so they probably won't survive.

BUT... If they do survive, how big will these roots grow? I can't seem to find definitive/consistent answers online - and that's assuming they are in-fact dwarf trees.

If they don't survive, what would be suitable trees for this location?

Ideally something tall and bushy, but thin with minimal roots? Any recommendations/root sizes?

It's probably worth mentioning the soil is very clay-like about 2-foot under the grass.

The idea of having some small trees is so our little boy has something to run behind, hide in, and play around as they grow, rather than having a square, straight garden surrounded solely by fences.

Any advice about these trees, or more appropriate trees would be amazing.
Or maybe you recommend scrapping the idea of trees altogether?

I'm looking forward to your thoughts.

Thank you for your time.

bcpathome · September 2023

Must it be a tree in the garden ? Why not some bushes to encourage wild life and can be used to camouflage your child in playtime .You could have two or three and the roots will cause no worry .Let them grow tall or cut them small ……your choice . Trees in a small garden can be a worry whatever sort they are

Loxley · September 2023

An actual dwarf fruit tree will be on a root stock that ensures it doesn't get beyond a certain height. For example M27 gives you about 8ft. M26 is probably the one you want though if you want a "real tree". https://www.chrisbowers.co.uk/guides/apple-trees.php

robairdmacraignil · September 2023

Not a good time to move trees but they might recover well if you were careful moving them and keep them watered. With the remaining one if you want to move it then waiting for the leaves to drop will mean it would be under less stress and so should make the transition to the new position more easily. Roots of trees tend to mirror the size of the top growth of the tree so if you prune them to not get very big the roots should at the same time not need to get very big and so not be a danger to buildings nearby. The plum should be pruned in summer to avoid it getting infected with silver leaf disease and pruning it now will help it survive the move. These do not sound like the types of trees that would prove a danger to newly built structures in the area but keeping them to a modest size by pruning should avoid any potential issues and complaints from your neighbours.

Happy gardening!

Fairygirl · September 2023

They're terribly close together, so it's probably worth removing one anyway. It might have been better to have those a lot nearer to your own house - the centre of the plot for example, but it's a bit late for that now. A single, central specimen might have been the best solution. You also have conifer hedging behind - along the fence. That will spread and grow, as well as taking up a lot of moisture, so airflow around a remaining tree could be a problem.
The hedge will take a while to grow, and can be kept trimmed, but you need to be sure you do that properly as many conifers won't take hard pruning. If you know which variety it is, that would help with advice about that. They look like one of the very popular emerald thujas that are readily available

Your climate, as well as how good the initial prep was, will also dictate how those trees/hedges grow, and how quickly. As @Loxley says - the type of rootstock dictates the eventual size of any tree, and most fruit trees are grafted onto specific rootstocks to prevent them getting enormous, so that they suit lots of smaller domestic gardens. It would seem some of yours aren't as dwarf as would be ideal. The lady across from me has a similar problem with the tree she put in to replace a previous one. It's already at the height of the eaves of the house after about five years or so - and around ten/twelve feet from the front door.
Many trees will cause no problem at all in a small garden though. Rowans and Amelanchier for example.

StephenSouthwest · September 2023

As above, keep them pruned small and they won't be a problem.

Joyce Goldenlily · September 2023

I would ask the donor of the trees the names of the trees, was there a label with them, as that usually tells you which rootstock they are grafted onto and the variety?
I agree, they are planted much too close together. Trees that size, moved when you did will need a huge amount of water to keep them going until established. Also, they need stakes ready to support them during the winter gales, etc. The clay soil will be of benefit to most trees.
Flowering, evergreen shrubs would be more appropriate in a garden the size of yours, especially for children to play around as they can be kept in foliage to ground level. All trees will eventually have clear trunks for several feet so no hiding places etc. for small humans.
Summer pruning of fruit trees helps to keep the height under control, autumn pruning encourages growth and fruiting.

WAMS · September 2023

I have a rowan tree (at least 60 years old so no credit to me) and it is a beautiful tree.... I'd recommend it.

Fairygirl · September 2023

The problem with pruning fruit trees when there isn't enough space for them, or if they're in an unsuitable site for any reason, is - unless you're careful, you remove the very reason for having them in the first place

DaveGreig · September 2023

There are a great many easy to grow shrubs you can plant in your space but a little research is required. Shrubs come in dwarf, small, medium and large. They usually flower and with a little basic knowledge can, within limits, be pruned so they don’t out grow their space or smother the competition.

I would recommend you look at Weigelas, Elders, Japanese maple, dwarf prunus and hydrangeas for deciduous and Hebes, Laurels, fastigate ewe, tree heathers Christmas box for evergreen.

Alternatively go on line and look at what’s on offer in the dwarf, small medium to large shrub ranges. There you will find growing requirements and also the height and spread of each shrub. This is only a general guide because plants reaching these sizes can depend on a number of environmental factors but its still a valuable aid when envisioning the impact the plants will ultimately have on their surroundings. More importantly, the spread dimension gives you the spacings to plant your shrubs at, meaning you shouldn’t have to move them later so use a tape measure when planting.

Once you’ve planted, it’ll all look very bare but patience is required till they fill the space. There’s nothing to stop you interplanting with bulbs and low growing annuals in the meantime although young children are probably the best herbicide known to man and some protection will probably be required. They generally prefer the open space to kick a ball as they get older so maybe just softening the corners and edges with some planting is the way to go?

I treat trees like puppy’s in the respect that I never give them as presents unless the owner tells me specifically what s/he wants.

Trees in Small Garden - May have to remove?

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