Which Trees Are Appropriate For My Soil?
Hello there.
I'm looking to plant some screening trees along my fence line. My plan was to plant some Ligustrum Japonicum (Japanese Privet Tree), These would be container grown in a nursery and transferred into this soil at around 9-12 foot tall.
They're supposed to be suitable for most soil types, but I'm not sure whether my soil falls into that category. Perhaps it's too chalky for most tree types?
It's worth noting that we're near the top of a hill, and we frequently get very high winds especially in the winter months. I'm a little concerned whether the trees will be able to root sufficiently deeply given the almost solid chalk from around 20 inches down.
I dug an exploratory 2ft hole and took soil samples every 4 inches. I'm not an expert by any means, but I tried to analyse the soil as best I could. Below is what I found.
Can anyone advise me whether this would be suitable for Privet Trees?
My wife would also like to plant an apple tree and a pear tree (eating). Can anyone advise species which would be suitable for this soil type?
Many thanks.
Posts
...very cleverly done..! I like that very much.... your soil wouldn't give me cause for concern regarding Privet.... varieties of Ligustrum grow well on it... however I understand your concerns as these large plants you are aiming to buy are not cheap.... Ligustrum japonicum tends to grow as wide as it does tall...so I've read...which would be in its favour considering the windy conditions... but I've not grown it myself.... maybe someone else has experience of it...
...having lived near the chalkland that is the South Downs... there are so many plants that thrive on the windswept downs there....on thin chalk soils... have a look at Highdown gardens and see what they grow.... seriously though.....I don't think you need worry too much....
Many thanks for your comments Salino.
That particular privet isn't too fussy. Impressed by your preparatory work. Soil looks fine to me. I understand the evergreen requirement (much as I prefer the deciduous natives). Considered prunus lusitanica? Still not cheap if you're buying that big, but a lovely hedging/screening shrub. Too exposed for pittosporum. Holly? A variegated cultivar such as Ilex x altaclerensis 'Golden King (female, despite the name) or ilex aquifolium 'Argentea Marginata' (another female). Re the apples, take your pick. I'd do apple rather than pear, more reliable when it comes to cropping, Bear in mind that a windy spot will deter pollinating insects. HC
Fantastic advice, many thanks. I'm looking to plant 24 of these at £130 a pop, so I wanted to be pretty sure they weren't going to keel over after a few months. The Privet trees I'm looking at have a 6ft trunk with a 4-5ft crown. They're intended to screen above the fence line.