Which evergreen trees for a hedge?

Hello :-)

We have recently moved into our new house and now have a garden! :yho:

We have a slight problem with a gap in our fence panneling. There is a mature apple tree growing between our garden and next doors. The tree is just on our side but it does prevent us from putting in fence pannels. We want to keep the apple tree but also want to fill in the gap. I was thinking a row of connifers, nice and bushy with a bit of height? What variety would we need and would they be ok near the apple tree?

Failing that I was considering some of that screening fence that you buy in rolls to fill the gap. How would I put this up?

I will have lots of questions in the spring when I start on my wildlife type section of the garden :-)

Thanks in advance. :-)

 

Lawsons Cypress is good, doesn't get too big, nice and bushy, birds roost in it. We keep ours at about 5-6', pruning once a year in early spring. Our neighbours have an apple tree on their side of it about 10' away. It seems to do OK.

 

By the sound of it, your proposed connifers would be very close to your apple tree? If so, I don't think either your connifers or your apple tree would like the competition for moisture and nutrients. It seems odd that your apple tree was planted so close to your boundary.

An apple tree, depending on type, usually needs an area free of serious competition at ground level equivalent to the spread of its branches.

I think you'd be better putting some form of fencing in the gap, if I have pictured the situation correctly. Exactly how you do that would depend on the size of the gap and the extent of your apple tree roots.

 

Hi flappinganimal,

Just get a fence. Please. I beg you. It will work out cheaper in the long run, be less maintenance, cast less shadow, not absorb water & nutrients from your apple tree, not cause soil-related problems, not cause neighbour related problems and, generally, lead to a stress-free garden.

 

P.S. Did I emphasise getting a fence strongly enough? I think it's a good idea! :thmb:

 

Am I right in thinking they should get a fence?

 

Thanks very much for the replies :-)

Would it be helpful if I took a photograph of the area to give you a clearer picture?

I think, giving what youve said, that the trees would outcompete the apple tree.

I really dont know why the apple tree is so close to the boundry. It is only a smallish garden, 1930's terrance. 80ft long about 20 ft wide. All I can assume is that it was planted way back when and grew so big that it blocked the fence pannelling line. On a side note, I know its a daft question, but is there a universal side to ownership of the fences? I mean do you always own the right or left fence?

Newbie alert! :hehe:

Thanks again :-)

 

Hi flappinganimal

Your additional information is helpful but a photograph is always best.

There is no universal rule of ownership concerning boundaries. Your solicitor should have explained which one(s) you are responsible for when you signed the house purchase contracts. You'll need to consult your deeds, I think.

 

I should have a detailed thought of it....

 

Thanks for the responses guys, very much apriciated

Just been out into the garden to take some photos, its been raining sinse October :(

As you can see it's a blank canvas realy. We havnt done anything yet other than turn over a bit of soil to plant some berry bushes.

ANyway, here is the gap in the fence in question. What do you think my options are?

Thanks

 

P.S. With regards to the fence boundary ownership. Turns out we own both fences. The previous owner had the right fence built withing the boundary of the garden, so we lost about a foot in width. The run down fence on the left is also ours :-(

 

Looks like it needs more than just a few panels replacing. If a post wobbles relace it and if a panel is showing signs of wear and tear then replace that also. Use proper fencing posts at least 3"x 3". Bed ithem into concrete. Ideally replace the fencing with the same as on the right side but that would be a lot more £s.

Trees. Cut back the lower barnches on the apple so that you can put up the fencing. Take out the final post back to the main trunk. Reduce the number of other braches to 3 or 4. reduce these by about a half - get a fruit prunning book from the library.

Identify the remaing trees and if of no ornamental or screening value take them out. get rid of most of the roots as possible out.

Its hard to tell which way the garden's orientated. But I would be looking at having a fruit and veg patch at the end. Compost bins between your shed and next door's massive cabin.

kids area next and then a sitting out/garden area - closest to the house

Good time of the year to start

 

Thanks for the reply

I will definately be replacing the fence panel that is bending in (even though that was caused by the neighbour leaning their ladder against it). I will be on rather a tight budget though. I have seen some rolls of sreening type stuff, similar to the run down stuff you can see in the picture behind the apple tree, would that kind of thing be easy to secure in place? I'm not after an amazing looking garden, I just want to block the gap without too much expense and make it look OK.

I do have plans for the gardens layout. Should I post in a different forum for that?
Anyway a very brief run down of what I had in mind; I was going to have a small nature pond at the bottom, unfiltered, no fish just plants and whatever finds its way there with a few built up natural looking rocky areas around it, some tiny bushy plants (?), maybe a small bench? with a low, picket type fence seperating the pond area and sheds from the main lawn area in the middle. The veg patch was going to go at the house end. Roughly :lollol:

I think the garden faces east.

 

I see your problem...

It may sound a bit brutal but I would clear that boundary on the left completely and put in a new fence. Growing trees on a boundary line can lead to all sorts of problems with neighbours and your poor old apple tree looks well beyond the point at which it would be worthwhile to try and rehabilitate it. I'm not "trigger happy" (I once spent about five years nursing a neglected Crimson Bramley back to health) but new apple trees need not be expensive and you could incorporate one or two into the total plan for your garden make over. Be bold!

 

I'm not an expert on fruit trees but I agree with Flinty that your poor apple is beyond restoration. If you just want it as an ornamental tree, it can be pruned back to shape over two or three seasons but I doubt if it will ever give you a decent crop.

However, if you invest in another (or two or three) of your choice, and site it (them) more conveniently you will stand a much better chance of getting some decent apples once established. Then, you can remove the old tree - apple wood burns with a beautiful scent - and restore the fence. Job done!:thumb:

Good luck, Chris