Hedging Tree Selection

Hello. Firstly apologies if this has been asked before but I am looking for advice on best selection of tree to provide some privacy around 2 sides of my back garden. I am looking to achieve the following:

1. From planting, a tree with a suitable height i.e appx 6ft from the start to provide some much needed privacy from neighbours.

2. A Tree that needs only perhaps annual trimming but which would reach a preferred height of around 8ft.

3. Importantly, and hopefully somebody can advise me, a tree that puts down as little root as possible so as not to potentially cause any damage to neighbouring land. At this point I would point out that the 2 sides of my back garden "back and side on" to 2 neighbours gardens which happen also to be at the bottom of their gardens so there are no structures within appx 18ft.

4. An evergreen tree that I would need to space appx 2 per meter as I will be looking at covering appx 4m on one side and appx 6m on the other side.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated including advice on correct planting, feeding, maintenance etc.

A lot to ask I know but I'm sure with the expertise available on this site, somebody should be able to advise.

Tks in advance.

 

1) Do you mean you intend to plant 6 foot high trees? Because if you do then it will be very expensive and the trees will not establish as well as smaller trees.
2) You can get away with one clipping with most.
3) With those distances no problem with the maximum height you intend.
4)With evergreens you have holly - slow, yew - slow .....or the dreaded leylandii, that I would avoid like the plague.
Personally I would go for beech. Its cheap, grows to its allotted height fast and you can trim it to a narrow hedge, so saving space. Its not evergreen but does keeps its leaves over winter. More importantly it looks nice.

 

Thanks for the reply Geoff.

Never even thought of Beech. I take your point about planting 6ft trees to begin with, they are massively more expensive than smaller sizes. I also take your point about the dreaded Leylandii but did give them a sneaking sideways glance as they would be up around 8ft in no time - but then of course onto 20, 30, 40ft and beyond if not kept under control.

After posting my initial request for advice I have had a re-think about continuing my hedge a little closer to my neighbours property and estimate the hedge finishing somewhere around 8ft from the corner of their Conservatory. 1. What issues could I have? 2. And also the hedge would be appx a fence width away from their wooden decking which has been traditionally installed on raised wooden posts?

Talking about Beech as an option. 3.What size plants would you suggest initially? 4. And what is the best time to plant them? I also note that you can buy root-ball and potted - 5. What is the difference? 6. Can you trim them with a standard hedge cutter or is it more like pruning in the early days?

7. What about spacing and ground preparation?

8. And how long do you think it would take a Beech Hedge to fill-out and reach a height of appx 8ft when planted from say 3-4ft?

Sorry to ask so many questions but complete novice here not wishing to make too many mistakes from the start.

Lastly, do you recommend any good suppliers....

Regards :confused:

 

a good supplier is
http://hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk/
They give you full instructions in their catalogue about planting distances, and everything, and have a good range of sizes of plant. Basically, the younger the plant the better in the long run, as it will have more time to establish itself in your ground undisturbed.

Your questions reminded me of the RHS exam!! :eek: :D

 

Thanks for your reply dendrobium.

I will certainly check out the website you suggested.

Regards.

 

You're welcome, Climber!
If you have a look at these 2 sites, you'll find them a wealth of helpful info
RHS,
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/calendar.asp and particularly

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1100/hedge_planting.asp

and the BBC one
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/

You can get hold of some of the tv footage here, when they explain techniques. Well worth a browse around both those sites :D

 

Thanks again dendrobium - Great advice and the excellent website recommendations.

Time for me to do some background work.

Thanks again.

Regards

Climber.

 

DO NOT PLANT LEYLANDII - I have over 200 foot of it to cut. It is a pain in back side, it looks ugly, takes up a lot of space and the roots extract nutrients for yards around.
I would not think there is an issue about planting at those distances to neighbours property as long as you keep the height reasonable. Use Leylandii and they will be having nightmares and thinking you are a neighbour from hell because of those TV programmes.
Type of plant - bare rooted in winter from a specialist hedge and tree supplier. Size 40-60 cm. Smaller plants establish quicker cause there is less shock to the system when dug and catch up with the bigger and more expensive plants. Sometimes I think they make better final plants. Yes use an ordinary hedge cutter but get the blades sharpened regularly so they cut cleanly.
Ground preperation - dig over and ensure is fertile. Beech needs well drained soil. I think 18inches apart but check suppliers.
I think it would probably take 3 - 4 years to reach final height. Plant green beech. Purple is slower.
Suppliers - notice that you are in Cheshire. Good supplier down road from me in Higher Heath - Heathwood Nurseries. have bought a lot of hedging and trees from them and always been excellent. Also Shropshire C.C. has bought saplings and I was told they were one of the best for quality http://www.heathwood.co.uk/2004/products_and_services.htm

[ 05. November 2006, 12:13 PM: Message edited by: geoffhandley ]

 

Thanks Geoff. Good Advice. I will be looking at the sizes you suggest on the website link and pricing up.

Thanks again for your help.

Regards.