Laurel tree screening

SoozJ22

I've recently moved and after removing the 15 or so huge conifers at the bottom of the garden would like something to replace and give some privacy back.  I was thinking something similar to the attached with a wider raised bed and maybe laurel trees to hide the top windows of the houses.

We are on quite a slope, a 6 foot fence will screen the sheds and lower windows of the houses.  I then wanted something to screen the top without blocking all their light.

I'm wanting privacy as soon as possible and have seen 6 /7 foot laurel trees which in a raised planter would give some screening quickly.  At around £250 - £300 each very expensive though and I don't want to waste money. 

Any thoughts appreciated as I'm a novice to gardening.  Many thanks 

Dovefromabove

Hello @SoozJ22 and welcome to the forum 😊 

That sort of planter will not support large laurels without a great deal of ongoing work throughout the year every year.  In the summer they will need a lot of water several times a week. Even then I think they will struggle. 

In my personal opinion they also look glaringly urban in such a beautiful rural setting with marvellous views of the countryside. 

Planting smaller laurels will give you a good thick hedge more quickly than planting big ones. The roots of newly planted laurels just can’t sustain all the foliage and they need to be cut back or they struggle to stay alive. 

This thread contains the accumulated ‘laurel hedge wisdom’ of the regulars on this forum ... have a read through, look at the pics ... several people have followed the advice given and come back with photos of the results 

https://forum.gardenersworld.com/discussion/656523/help-needed-please-with-laurel-hedge-issues/p1  

Hope that helps with your decision. 😊 

SoozJ22

Hi @Dovefromabove thanks for the reply, I wasn't sure of the best forum to ask in ☺

I had considered laurel hedges and spent a few hours last night reading lots of threads on here, very helpful.

We had laurel hedges in our previous house and they took up such a lot of width which is why i was thinking laurel trees rather than a thick laurel hedge.  Also no matter how well pruned it seems I would be at least 3 years to get laurel hedges to a height to screen those top windows and then a lot of work pruning each year to keep from getting any higher.

I know what you mean, personally I do like the contrast of the more urban look against the views though.  

If the planter was about 4 foot wide and open at the bottom do you think there would still be issues for laurel trees?  

The other potential issue is the 15 or so conifer stumps still there 😬

So trees looking something like this but with fence behind and deeper rendered raised bed.

Thanks

Dovefromabove

If the main concern is screening the view from those upstairs windows, have you considered the strategic placing of individual ornamental trees within your garden?  This is often a much more effective and attractive solution to privacy issues, rather than a wall of foliage at the far end. Using tricks with perspective can result in effective screening from quite small trees if cleverly placed. 

This explains it better ... scroll down to the ‘Where you plant...’ section ... and the video gives you more ideas. 

https://www.themiddlesizedgarden.co.uk/the-8-best-perfect-for-privacy-garden-trees/#:~:text=The%20same%20principle%20applies%20if%20you%20use%20trees,building.%20And%20it%20leaves%20more%20light%20for%20everyone%21  

😊 

SoozJ22

Thank you great article!

Yes the main concerns are screening and safety - so fence to contain dog and children and then screening to hide the houses.

Over the next year we will be extending the house and probably tiering the garden somewhat.  Smaller trees mid way up the garden could be a really good idea... my concern is that the middle and bottom sections will be the children's play areas and I'm not sure how well trees would last with footballs being kicked around them!  Definitely something to consider though.

The ornamental pear looks nice.  Any other suggestions for suitable trees based on your experience?  It's a SE facing gatden so very sunny.

Thanks 

Obelixx

If you install a decent 2m high fence I don't think you'll need a hedge at all.  

Nor do I think raised beds are needed and, as @Dovefromabove points out they'd need to be very deep and wide to host a decent hedge, will be expensive to build and fill and need constant watering.

I'd save the time, energy and money for installing a good fence and then working over the soil in front to remove weeds and rubble and add plenty of organic matter and then plant an attractive mix of shrubs and perennials with one or two taller trees to break up the fence line and screen any windows that can still see in over the fence.  They'll do well planted in the ground rather than raised beds and only need regular watering in their first growing year while they get their roots down.

SoozJ22

I've just been looking at other screening trees too if we did go for that option.... Photinia may be a better option than Laurel, Hornbeam also looks good.  I would want evergreen as we will use the gatden in winter too.

https://kingco.co.uk/photinia-x-fraseri-red-robin.html 

SoozJ22

Thanks @Obelixx Cost is a big factor so perhaps you are right and the raised bed isn't needed.... I guess I just like that 'look' of the rendered white raised bed with the trees.  Also easier for weeding.

What would you suggest for the taller trees to screen? 

Obelixx

You don't say where you are - weather exposure - or what type of soil you have and both of those make a difference to what will grow.

For trees that grow above the height of the fence I would recommend amelanchier, forms of sorbus/rowan and maybe a maple such as acer griseum.  None is evergreen but their bare branch framework will "haze" the view without blocking light and that's important in winter.   Don't get hung up on how much time any neighbours will spend spying on you from upstairs windows - they have better things to do!   Also check eyelines once the fence is up as being seated in your garden will change the perspective and view lines and thus what can be seen.

You could also consider building a pergola within your garden and growing climbers up it as that will change view lines and privacy too and give you opportunities for colour and perfume.

When composing your new bed inside the fence make sure it's wide enough to accommodate eventual shrub sizes - some grow quite wide as well as high - and remember to allow a mix of evergreens and deciduous for seasonal variation and interest in form and colour.  Some shrubs go bare but have fabulous winter stem colour that is glorious when lit by low winter sun.

Lots to think about but it all depends on soil/sun/rain/wind......

SoozJ22

Thank you that's all really helpful advice.  I'm in Yorkshire, SE facing garden so very sunny and I would say standard soil ie not clay.  Fairly sheltered spot as it's low down & sheltered by the houses. 

I'll have a look at the suggestions you've made thank you.

It's more to screen their houses and to draw your eye to the view than worry of spying eyes 😁 As you say I hadn't really considered that a bare tree still provides some screening.

Probably best starting point is to build the fence and then try put some different scenarios using someone tall as a guide!

Dovefromabove

Sounds like a plan! 👍 Keep us updated ... we love a project