Maybe an ornamental pear tree such as Pyrus calleryana chanticleer would have been a better choice than the tillia? I don’t really want to remove them now if I can make them work!
Because of their potential size, they are not really suitable for a small garden and won’t look natural if pollarded which is the only way to manage them in that space, as I indicated in my earlier reply. Ornamental pear trees are lovely but the branches can snap in high winds. My neighbour has had to remove two of them recently. I suggest a fastigiate tree would suit your situation better. There’s a few listed here which might help https://www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/search/fastigiate-trees.
I've seen them in a property on one of my walks. They look good but don't offer any privacy in winter as those chosen are deciduous. There have been reports on the forum in the past of problems with the frames acting as sails and getting blown about in high winds resulting in damage. If your garden is sheltered this would be less of a concern. They can offer you the screening you need, depending on height, but will need careful maintenance and care. If I were you, I'd seek out a specialist supplier and ask for their advice about choice of species and the potential wind problem.
Sorry, I don't have any first hand experience of pleached trees. I think they are quite high maintenance as regards pruning.
I would have planted small trees, such as crab apples. They give blossom in spring, fruit for the birds in autumn, but they aren't as elegant and they don't have leaves in winter, but then tillia don't either.
Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
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I would have planted small trees, such as crab apples. They give blossom in spring, fruit for the birds in autumn, but they aren't as elegant and they don't have leaves in winter, but then tillia don't either.