Tree bare stem length
Good morning!
I'm after a bit of help. I want to know if the bare stem / trunk of a young sapling (the distance between the top of the roots and the lowest branch) changes much in the following varieties. As soon as possible after planting out, we want a good 2 meters of bare trunk before the plant bushes out (to block the line-of-sight to neighbours, whilst loosing as little space at ground level as possible). I.e. we want 'lollipop' shaped trees. When shopping for standards we want to know if we can count on the bare stem extending much over the first say couple of years or if we need to buy standards with sufficient bare stem already...
Ilex 'golden king'
Vibernum tinus
Bay
PS I understand we will be able to trim the lower branches off to get this effect, provided the tree will keep growing directly upwards...
Many thanks! Michael
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In either case, I would have thought bay was too slow and also not hardy enough to do this in the UK and doubt that viburnum tinus would be a good subject. Have a look at Copper beech, hornbeam, lime (tilia not citrus) all deciduous but the framework of branches will give you privacy in winter. Have a look at this
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=155
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
The trees @Obelixx mentions are the ones most commonly used, and work well. They adapt and respond well to pruning.
You could use fruiting trees, depending on the aspect and conditions.
Any standard will keep growing and give you a bit more trunk over time, but it's a very expensive way, usually, of doing it.
@Borderline's comment re Photinias, shows how expensive it can be, as 60 quid is nothing in these terms. They can indeed cost hundreds and hundreds for mature standard specimens, soif you need several, it's a big investment, and you need ot be sure you can maintain them.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Another alternative would be to erect tall, 3 metre high posts with wires or wooden bars tensioned between the top metre or so to make a framework. Builders' wire mesh for reinforcing concrete would be wheap, sturdy and discreet. Then a good rambling rose or 3 could be trained over it. Some, such as Snowgoose, Lady of the Lake, Malvern Hills are repeat flowerers. Wisteria would very quickly grow to cover the framework or honeysuckle or clematis for colour.
Depends on budget and style. The roses and honeysuckle would be more cottagey. Pleached trees would be more formal.
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Thanks again!
If you go down this route, you need to bear in mind whether the area is exposed to cold winds. Many mature size shrubs are grown in controlled conditions, and tend to suffer a bit when planted without back protection.
Photinias are tough shrubs when they establish and are adapted well to their surroundings, but, sometimes pre-trained shrubs are so large, they will require careful planting and watering for many years until they are established. It's always best to grow younger shrubs if you can be patient. Older shrubs can sometimes fail to 'take' even with a lot of care.