Biggest, tallest, fastest growing evergreen trees

Hi

I am a total non gardener and my house backs onto a train line. Unfortunately in all the houses along the road we have the biggest gaps in what is currently there.

Therefore I would like to know what are the tallest, fastest growing evergreens I can get please. Its 20 metres from the house so hopefully roots not a problem

Also are there any tips or tricks to stop the newly planted trees from being overcome by the ivy thats currently killing whats already there

Thanks

 

@martin123321

Probably Leyland Cypress: unfortunately. You will probably need to improve the soil and they will need regular watering until established, consider some form of drip irrigation or a leaky hose type system, to save carting lots of water around.

Yes remove as much Ivy as possible before planting and keep it under control.
Ivy is unlikely to be killing healthy trees, but if the trees are already ailing it doesn't help them.

 

Thanks

When you say improve the soil. What's best? Mix in a bag of manure?

Also whats the best time of year to plant or when to avoid?

Cheers

 

Whilst most Gardeners wouldn't want leylandi, they sound a good choice for a railway screen. They are fast once the roots get established.
As said.. Give plenty of water to the newly planted trees.
They will also suppress a good amount of train noise.
Bear in mind, that unchecked they can grow 40 odd feet high and also very large in diameter.
So you either need acres of space, or be prepared to trim them as a tall hedge.

 

Thanks

When you say improve the soil. What's best? Mix in a bag of manure?

Also whats the best time of year to plant or when to avoid?

Cheers

 

I would hold off planting until spring and prepare the site over the autumn/winter period. Dig the manure in and clear away as much of the ivy as possible. If you want to use irrigation for the young trees install that.
How big is your bag of manure and how many trees are you thinking of?
As Jymi said they can get big, there is a superb example at Kew. They can reach 100ft plus.
When you do trim them remember that they do not regrow from old wood, so if you cut too far back they will remain bare and brown.

 

How tall do you want the hedge, is the rail line level with your garden or sited above it. Fast growing also means more maintenance. I'd tend to go for an evergreen hedge that has more interest with flowers and berries.

 

Much as I'm no fan of laurel, think I'd prefer it to leylandii.
You can hack it back and it will recover quickly.

Grows perhaps slightly slower in height than leylandii, but rapid growing hedges rapidly become an embarrassment if you don't trim 2 or 3 times a year
Have you taken into account
how much shade it will ,or will not, cause to the rest of the garden.

 

This thread is nearly two years old and the OP has not responded since he asked the question.

 

I didn't notice that,

 

Ooops

 

You led me astray.