Trees suitable to be planted near a house

Meely

Hi I'm looking for ideas for deciduous trees to plant along a fence. They will be 4-7m away from the house and will provide additional screening from the house behind us. Two years ago I plant a sky rocket and Italian stone pine. I have a standard red robin that I planted at the same time elsewhere in the garden and I now intend to move to to along this fence. These trees have been positioned to block the view of ours neighbours house from certain windows. Now I would like to know what ornamental trees might be suitable additions for additional screening (in summer) and interest. I'd like to plant 2-3 depending on size. Look forward to suggestions. Thanks

pansyface

You don't say how tall you want them to be. And I'm not sure if the 4-7 metres is the sum total of the space available for them to fill or if it just a nominal distance from the house from which they can begin to be planted.

However, I certainly wouldn't plant a tree closer than 4 metres to a house (roots in drains and all that) and I would allow a good 4 metres space for one tree's width. So you may be looking at one tree set 4 metres away from the house foundations.

If you want summer cover I'd recommend a Cydonia qunince. Big floppy leaves, nice autumn colour, graceful shape, no need to prune and fruits which, while not really edible in their raw state in this country, can be cooked to make a pleasant jelly.

See here

http://www.keepers-nursery.co.uk/isfahan-quince-fruit-trees.aspx

 

pansyface

Do they? Oh good! I bought some lovely apple trees off them last autumn. Well grown and wanting to flower and fruit this year. Their quince range is quite extensive because the owner is Iranian, I think.

Meely

Thanks for the suggestions!

Pansyface - I guess they should be around 6 or 7m max height. The 4-7m is the distance between house and fence (the house is probably 2m away at one end bad about 8 at the other. I will look at the tree and website you suggested thank you.

Tetley - with regard to photos I will try to do that. I'm not after shrubs tbh i guess my idea is to fill in the gaps between the evergreens I choose a couple of years ago. With regard to the amelanchier I know it's highly rated but I'm not particularly familiar with it, I don't think it's anything I've ever admired or indeed seem before.

Meely

Ok I've had a look at the suggestions. I think as a general rule I'm always drawn to the showiest thing rather than the more subtle option so not sure if either are for me. Plus I've potentially got an amelanchier already just didn't realise. Oops (it may be a cherry though will investigate).

I'd like a magnolia, some of the felix jury ones appeal but I was hoping for something 6ft plus for slightly more instant impact as opposed to waiting 25years and not sure that's going to fit the bill in terms of budget!

Cercis forest pansy also appeals as does something with a beautiful bark like some if the acers or cherries or birch.

I already have a white magnolia, various cherries and a birch they are all shallow rooted. Is this better near to a house or not - as opposed to deep rooted. The area is going to be repaved and I suspect they could lift the slabs?

Should have said earlier the site is north facing and receives some afternoon sun. Neutral to slightly acidic soil, stony clay. Moisture retentive in this area rather than boggy.

Supernoodle

I've used ligustrum japonicum where my neighbour's property is close as this website says it's ok near buildings.

https://www.barcham.co.uk/products/ligustrum-japonicum

Meely

Ok I've taken some photos there is a massive shrub that I wanted to take out, maybe I shouldn't it's been hacked about a bit but maybe if someone could id I could sort it out. Now how do I go about adding pics? I don't have a tree icon or anything like that I'm on my I phone (that's all I have)

Meely

Supernoodle - I think privet is out for me, I think our soil is too heavy for it, and since some other neighbours removed their trees we get a lot more winds. I had three privet standards and they all perished within the year. I was wondering about laurel ( still having some trees as well) as you will see the fence needs replacing and I thought it might be a good option. The fact that its only 4ft in places doesn't help with privacy!

pansyface

You can't add photos from an iphone.

Laurels are usually vigorous, unruly and not particularly pretty plants. I suspect, though I don't know for sure, that it would play havoc with your foundations in the future.

Dovefromabove

Can you save pics to a photo-hosting site and post the links?

Meely

What a 6ft hedge though? We have it 12ft high up behind an office and wall (in next doors garden) probably for 40 years + and it's fine and we also have a 30ft yew (abt 300 years old) within 2 metres which you will see if I can find a way of putting my photos up and believe it or not no problems with that either.