Thanks Nut, I agree about the bottom too. I think when the slabs are removed, ( if not it's going to die ) the tree might well fall over and snap because of that damage.
If it were mine, I'd remove all the slabs and trees and have a clean slate.
I'm really annoyed about information given to non-expert gardeners wanting to plant trees.I bought a rowan as plant label quoted mature ht. as 26ft by 10ft width.
RHS literature gives the ultimate ht & spread of this tree as 50ft by 22ft which is twice that of growers label.
Even so called experts in magazines give inaccurate & misleading information.
Many thanks for all of your replies and suggestions.
I am coming to the conclusion that is better to go with my head rather than my heart and to remove all of the trees. I went out this morning and measured the garden, The main bit is about 5m x 5m. As such I agree that it is too small even for one rowan. I didn't plant the trees there, they had grown through the paving slabs and other "jungle" before I moved in to this house. I've yet to persuade my hubby to lift more of the slabs, but without the trees I want more of a bed to put shrubs and flowering plants in.
Hostafan1, yes you are right, the photo included a glimpse of a laburnum that was up by the house. The bottom of the trunk has been squeezed thin as it grew through the slabs and jungle. It blew over in the first high winds and it was disposed of 5 years ago.
I don't think I'll replace them with anything else, certainly not for a while. I see many people suggest cherry blossoms, but these make far too much mess. I have fun watching the birds coming to my feeders, and their little bit of poop left behind is a small price to pay for being able to see their antics (all I need now it to deter the local moggies!).
I used to look after a garden with a rather lovely cherry under which I parked. I remember being there one Friday and it was covered in unopened buds. When I went back the following Thursday, there were already flowers on the drive. 6 whole days.
Even flowering cherries have very vigorous root systems. I'd not have one that close to any wall of mine.
I remember reading of a house which had to be demolished because of cherry root damage.
In a small space, plants really have to earn their keep MJSR. Choosing wisely for the bulk of the planting means you can have a bit of fun with seasonal stuff - whether it's perennials, annuals or bulbs. Get the structural planting in first, which will give you value for the bulk of the year, then add bits and pieces to go in front of those.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
Yes, I know seeds do that but I wondered whether MJSR had planted them, or the previous owner. They just don't seem in the right places.
Thanks Nut, I agree about the bottom too. I think when the slabs are removed, ( if not it's going to die ) the tree might well fall over and snap because of that damage.
If it were mine, I'd remove all the slabs and trees and have a clean slate.
I'm really annoyed about information given to non-expert gardeners wanting to plant trees.I bought a rowan as plant label quoted mature ht. as 26ft by 10ft width.
RHS literature gives the ultimate ht & spread of this tree as 50ft by 22ft which is twice that of growers label.
Even so called experts in magazines give inaccurate & misleading information.
Many thanks for all of your replies and suggestions.
I am coming to the conclusion that is better to go with my head rather than my heart and to remove all of the trees. I went out this morning and measured the garden, The main bit is about 5m x 5m. As such I agree that it is too small even for one rowan. I didn't plant the trees there, they had grown through the paving slabs and other "jungle" before I moved in to this house. I've yet to persuade my hubby to lift more of the slabs, but without the trees I want more of a bed to put shrubs and flowering plants in.
Hostafan1, yes you are right, the photo included a glimpse of a laburnum that was up by the house. The bottom of the trunk has been squeezed thin as it grew through the slabs and jungle. It blew over in the first high winds and it was disposed of 5 years ago.
I don't think I'll replace them with anything else, certainly not for a while. I see many people suggest cherry blossoms, but these make far too much mess. I have fun watching the birds coming to my feeders, and their little bit of poop left behind is a small price to pay for being able to see their antics (all I need now it to deter the local moggies!).
Thanks again.
Good plan. and cherry blossoms have 5 minutes of glory followed by months of boredom
In the sticks near Peterborough
I used to look after a garden with a rather lovely cherry under which I parked. I remember being there one Friday and it was covered in unopened buds. When I went back the following Thursday, there were already flowers on the drive. 6 whole days.
Even flowering cherries have very vigorous root systems. I'd not have one that close to any wall of mine.
I remember reading of a house which had to be demolished because of cherry root damage.
In a small space, plants really have to earn their keep MJSR. Choosing wisely for the bulk of the planting means you can have a bit of fun with seasonal stuff - whether it's perennials, annuals or bulbs. Get the structural planting in first, which will give you value for the bulk of the year, then add bits and pieces to go in front of those.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...