Spacing of Conifers when planting

BenL

Hello

I was wondering if there are any gardeners out there who could help with a spacing question for some conifers.

Moved into a new house a few months ago and there is only a small back fence at the moment.

A lot of wind comes through the back so I am going to plant some conifers (focus have 3 for £10 at the moment).

I have a 9 meter stretch at the back dug out this afternoon.

How far apart do you plant them???

30 cm or is that too close, should I aim for 50 cm?

Any advice appreciated.

Cheers

BenL

Nile

Hello BenL

Wouldn't the best advice come from the supplier? Why not ask for advice at the garden centre before you buy the conifers? You'll want to know how tall they're expected to grow too.........won't you?;)

Regards

Nile

coolagarry

I had the dreaded leylandi at my previous house. I planted them a metre apart and after about 5yrs I ripped out each 2nd one to give them more room.
Anything less than a metre apart seems very close. Bear in mind that only allows them to grow 50cms each side to the trunk.

never_enough

Depend what you're planning on planting! Not sure that conifers are necessarily your best bet either. They're not all good as windbreaks.You may be better going to a decent nursery & having a chat with someone explaining what you want.All hedging requires work to keep it looking good, but if you're prepared to put a little effort in at the start this shouldn't become too much of a problem. Conifers can take over if left to their own devices & you can't renovate them as you'll end up with unsightly bare patches. Some will require a trim 2 or 3 times a year!

Copper beech makes a beautiful & very wind resistant hedge, but don't even think about planting if you're not going to trim it in the autumn as it can grow huge! It is, like most decent hedging slow growing though.

You might even be better putting in some shrubs that will give you the fullness at the top & not so much at the bottom. I have a Berberis that acts as a good windbreak, it's about 2.5mx2.5m & wont get much bigger. A pyracantha would also be good.

ajsdoc

The correct spacing between conifers is at least 2 miles apart - with my house in between!

We had about twenty conifers down one side of the garden when we moved in - cost us much effort & money initially trying to keep them under control and then finally having them ripped out.

Chester_Draws

The correct spacing between conifers is at least 2 miles apart - with my house in between!

:T :T :T :T Couldn't agree more.

Maybe the only answer to better it would be 3 miles apart and planted in Sweden.

Fast growing conifers are ugly, they stink, and become a nightmare for owners and neighbours alike.