Tree advice

Ritchie · October 2015

Hi folks, need some advice and suggestions please. I'm looking to plant a row of trees at the top end of my front garden ( 10 metres in length )however these trees whatever I choose would be planted about 3ft from a fast busy B road as Im planting at the other side of my D rail fence ( I have planted beech hedging this side of the fence ) Could you suggest any suitable trees that will grow upright and narrow rather than a large canopy. I dont want to use conifers? Would appreciate any suggestion. Or realistically would this be too close to the road? Thanks

Buttercupdays · October 2015

You need a columnar or a fastigiate tree (columnar are narrower than fastigiate in their growth habit). The RHS lists 8 possibilities (under 'Trees for smaller gardens') but looking up individual nurseries will produce more. The one that I have is the cherry Amanogawa, but there are naturally narrow versions of many tree species, including beech, birch, liquidambar and crab apple, so you could have spring blossom or autumn colour or even, I suppose, both!

The eventual height and spread does vary so do your research carefully - like most of us, trees tend to get wider as they get older! My cherry is definitely suffering from middle-aged spread, but I rather like its somewhat raffish air. You will need to start with small trees as these establish better, so you will not see them for a while. You will have to give them a really good start and extra attention if they are to cope with competition from the hedge too. They are almost certainly grafted trees, so won't come cheap either. Good luck with the hunt!

Fairygirl · October 2015

I'd like a tree with a 'raffish air' b'cup!

Is there a reason why you need trees as well Ritchie, if you already have hedging, or have I got that all wrong? ( Quite likely ) Double 'layer' for noise baffling for instance?

Dovefromabove · October 2015

Poplars grow into huge trees - up to 30 metres tall - and they're fast growing. I wouldn't be keen on a row of them at the end of my garden.

Ritchie · October 2015

Hi Fairygirl, good point but im thinking the beech hedging will take years to reach required height of around 6ft where the trees will give me some instant privacy as it is a busy road.

Ps how can I upload photo to show here?

Dovefromabove · October 2015

To upload photos you need to click on the green tree icon on the toolbar above where you type your post and follow the instructions. Afraid it doesn't work for iphones ... yet.

Another option is to upload your photos to a photo-hosting site and post the link.

My thought is that your beech hedging will reach 6' much faster without the competition of trees growing nearby. Beech hedging grows quite quickly

Dovefromabove · October 2015

Another thought is that if this is the road verge there may be another problem - the local authority have a duty to maintain the road verges, cutting back foliage/shrubs etc which may impact on visibility.

You can't just plant things on the road verge if it doesn't belong to you - it'll get cut down.

Welshonion · October 2015

Three foot from a busy B road is not feasible.

Ritchie · October 2015

Having looked at the area again I think I might have to knock the tree idea on the head, it is very close to the road.

As you said Dovefromabove the hedge will have less competion and hopefully grow faster without them.

Thanks folks for your opinions.

Fairygirl · October 2015

As Dove says - beech grows quickly, and will fill in the space within a couple of years, thickening up well after that. It makes a lovely hedge which doesn't need loads of clipping to keep it looking good.

Tree advice

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