trees to plant for privacy that won't take over?

pamelab21

Hi all
Our house, like the whole estate (10-15 years old) is built on a hill. We had decking put up about 3 years ago to allow us somewhere level to sit outside! However I do feel a little overlooked when I'm out in the garden. Can anyone suggest a tree or plant of any sort that would be suitable to give us some privacy in the summer months? Don't really want leyandi (sp?) like one of the neighbours has put in the garden as I can see some arguments coming over the height of them and how close they have placed them to our property.
Would bamboo be effective, although from what I have read they spread and I really want them to spread in a straight line around the fence line which cannot be guaranteed and they are rather expensive to start with.
I did think about putting up a lattice trellis but with the winters and winds that we get I don't think it would last very well.

I_have_spoken

a tree or plant of any sort that would be suitable to give us some privacy in the summer months?

For an immediate effect, you can get evergreen Prunus laurocerasus "Novita" grown as standards, so all the foliage is above the a 6' fence.

Load cheaper to buy smaller and train then up, but that'll take years.

lostinrates

pamelab21 wrote: »

Hi all
Our house, like the whole estate (10-15 years old) is built on a hill. We had decking put up about 3 years ago to allow us somewhere level to sit outside! However I do feel a little overlooked when I'm out in the garden. Can anyone suggest a tree or plant of any sort that would be suitable to give us some privacy in the summer months? Don't really want leyandi (sp?) like one of the neighbours has put in the garden as I can see some arguments coming over the height of them and how close they have placed them to our property.
Would bamboo be effective, although from what I have read they spread and I really want them to spread in a straight line around the fence line which cannot be guaranteed and they are rather expensive to start with.
I did think about putting up a lattice trellis but with the winters and winds that we get I don't think it would last very well.

If you like bamboo you can put root guards in for them. They make nice screening and a beautiful gentle noise. We're adding some to a mixed screening.

[Deleted User]

How high do you want the trees to grow and how large is your garden? This will make a difference to what plants may be suitable.

Buddleias, lilac trees, rowans may all be suitable, but it all depends on size. If you do plant bamboo be very careful. It can be invasive and certain types will even come up through concrete. Have a look at the RHS website for advice on bamboo.

lostinrates

OP,

Are you interested in doing any work?

We are pleaching pear trees ( dual benefit, privacy screen and fruit) but for height there are other trees that might be more suited. You can buy trees ready pleached, plant and then just maintain, but its rather expensive. To grow them after a structure is put in is not hard. We've managed it for example!

moneyistooshorttomention

What does "pleaching" mean please? Am wondering whether "pleached" pear trees might be useful for me..

[Deleted User]

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

What does "pleaching" mean please? Am wondering whether "pleached" pear trees might be useful for me..

It is where you plant trees in a line and train them so that their branches grow into each other. You end up with something similar to a hedge on stilts.

lostinrates

Pleaching generally refers not to fruit trees.


It means growing as a raised hedge, so , flat, narrow growth, that screens. Googling image for 'pleached trees' will show what that looks like. I knew I wanted something productive though.

In fact, what I have ended up doing essentially is espalier-ing my pears, but I am training them to grow rather tall. Because its inside my boundary ( just) I have wired to nine feet. We're tieing some into seven foot wires this year, one lingers at five foot...the slow coach. He gets the best sun too!

lostinrates

Certain trees are certainly more used, and no doubt because of ease. I'm quite tempted to try some hazel pleaching somewhere else we have. I think any think that grows as a hedge or a tree would be worth a go.

Its easy to go crazy with it. I'm having to restrain myself from pleaching all the way across our back garden ( I'm planting a mixture of trees to keep in more natural growth there, because I think it will better soften into the landscape behind, but its such a GREAT solution for gardens / privacy.


I'd be keen to try it with something like yew too, if I wanted year round screening but not something like leylandi. Or holm oak, that could be beautiful were it successful. Laurel, as you say, though I' not that keen on laurel.

( I am so buying a holm oak this weekend!)

Davesnave

lostinrates wrote: »

( I am so buying a holm oak this weekend!)

As they are seed raised, there is quite a bit of variation, so choose one with the habit you require.

We have two bought as very young plants, when habit wasn't very apparent. One is now tight and upright, and the other is much more spreading.

lostinrates

Davesnave wrote: »

As they are seed raised, there is quite a bit of variation, so choose one with the habit you require.

We have two bought as very young plants, when habit wasn't very apparent. One is now tight and upright, and the other is much more spreading.

Thanks dave!

Where I am hoping to buy from the trees are about eight to ten feet tall. They are really friendly and let me get all the trees out to see 'who' I like best, And they have even given me plants in the past. So I'm hoping to get a 'spreader' . For the north boundary at the back. Starting to tree myself back in now.