More privacy in back garden advice

Hi there,

This is my first post in the group. I am after some advice please? Our neighbours have cut down a tree which gave us some privacy. I have attached a picture of our backgarden.

What can I plant to provide some privacy?

Thanks

James

 

You need to tell us more about your garden please:-

Which way does it face - goes to how much sunlight there is; what is the soil like - sandy, lomay, stony, clay, alkaline, neutral, acid, well-drained or moisture retentive; whereabouts are you - goes to temperature extremes and exposure and which neighbours do you wish to be screened?

Then we can advise on what tree or structure eg pergola will best answer your needs.

 

We are North West Facing, so the garden does get sun in the summer but less than the front of the house during the winter etc.
The back garden is generally well drained and the soil is clay but not too bad.
We live in the North West of the county.
We want more privacy at the end of the garden as a start (I have uploaded a picture), whilst we don't have anyone directly overlooking us, the tree that was removed covered up the townhouses to the right.
Is that enough information for now?

Thanks

 

Hello James, welcome to GC Here are a few suggestions for evergreen trees that might help to provide a screen. Eucalyptus gunnii, Arbutus unedo 'Rubra', Eriobotrya japonica, Laurus nobilis (Bay), Magnolia grandiflora. The fastest-growing in that list is the Eucalyptus.
Whatever you plant, you'll need to stake it while it's young to make sure that it doesn't lean away from the fence in search of light. Once the crown is above fence height, it should be OK.

 

Sorbus - mountain ash - do well in the north west. "Joseph Rock" is a good one for clay soils.

Sorbus &s;Joseph Rock&s; | mountain ash &s;Joseph Rock&s; Trees/RHS Gardening

It's native so excellent for wildlife, providing blossom with nectar and pollen, then berries later on. It won't get too tall or too dense.

Hawthorn is anther native that's good for wildlife and this form is great in small gardens - Crataegus persimilis &s;Prunifolia&s; | broad-leaved cockspur thorn &s;Prunifolia&s; Trees/RHS Gardening

Amelanchier is another good tree for small gardens - Amelanchier lamarckii | snowy mespilus Shrubs/RHS Gardening

Something to bear in mind tho is that trees are best planted from mid autumn to late winter so they have a chance to get their roots established over winter so they can better sustain all that energy needed in spring for new foliage and flowers. If you plant one now you're going to have to water it all thru its first growing season.

It's best to make a square hole, 3 times the width of the pot the tree comes in and the same depth. You need to improve the soil with some well-rotted manure to improve fertility and stake it at the base for the frst year or three depending on how strong the winds are.