Newbie to the forum, and advice needed for privacy tree!

Hi, very new member with my first question for this forum I'm looking to 'plug' a gap to bring back some privacy for us and our neighbours opposite our house, we had to remove a huge Ivy bush that was out of control and had destroyed the previous fence. We don't want to put typical fir type trees in there as my wife doesn't like them, and height isn't an issue as the neighbour really wants their privacy back.. Id rather something that is all trunk up to the top of the fence then grows outwards and covers the gap highlighted, preferably something that comes out in colour but also stays fairly green for as long as possible (if something would stay green the whole winter that would be even better)

We do not have green fingers at all hence the question on here! We also want to be able to buy a mature plant that can be planted and pretty much fills some of the gap from the off if this is possible? All suggestions welcomed, and any suggestions on where to buy a good mature tree from would be even better!!

Many thanks in advance!!

 

Depending on your climate I would always suggest something edible. Cherries, apples, plums or others are readily available and feed both your family and potential wildlife without growing too high.

If you want something a little bit different, you could go for an almond tree. There are hardy variants out there which are more resistant to frost. And they bloom really nice.

Lastly something even more exotic. May an afghan fig tree would be interesting. Although they don't bloom anywhere near noteworthy, growing figs is always something you don't see everyday. And if it grows in the Highlands of Afghanistan, it will grow where you live.

 

Many thanks for the advice, will look at these types and see if readily available in 'mature' sizes, Thanks. Sean

 

The usual plants to go to are shrubs like Photinia - Mahonia - Eleganus - Ilex ( holly ) .

You could try pleached trees but expensive

Not all conifers are unattractive - ones like cryptomeria sekkan sugi is a nice one but will need reining in to keep it from growing to big .

I do like the idea of a fruit tree like blackdog has mentioned - crab apples are usually very nice .

 

Hello seandaytona, welcome to GC It would help us to advise you if we have an idea of whereabouts in UK you are, and roughly what the soil's like, and which way the fence faces. A couple of evergreen trees that spring to mind are Eucalyptus gunnii and Arbutus unedo 'rubra'. The Eucalyptus would certainly fill the gap quickly and is best planted as a young specimen so the roots get a good hold. The Arbutus is either flowering or fruiting nearly all year round, but not sure whether large specimens are available.

 

Hi, yes that makes sense!! My garden is North facing so the fence is in the sun pretty much all day during Spring and Summer. Soil is fairly heavy clay which makes growing certain things a pain.... we basically want something that is 10-14 foot high and fairly large coverage from one tree ideally and ill be putting it quite close to the fence to minimise the loss of garden. Many thanks, will check out the trees you mention

 

Oh and in the south east of the UK, in west Sussex!

 

Hi @seandaytona and welcome, if affordable I would go for a pleached tree as it wouldn't encroach on the garden space. As mentioned though they are pricey.pleached trees uk - Bing