Recommend a tree?

[Glen]

I'm looking for a tall evergreen that will deliver privacy to the 2nd floor. It must survive in moist clay soil, and its mature roots must not endanger garden walls.

The tree will live about 10' from a house, will be shaded by 6' brick walls, and nearby smaller plants include (possibly drowned) acers and roses.

I previously planted Picea abies in a similar garden and that reacted to the light shadows of nearby brick walls by growing top-heavy. Eucalyptus nicholii is an unusual alternative and I'm not familiar with its root system. I'm open to suggestions.

Many thanks!

[Glen]

Yes - hopefully this explains my need for your help.

I perceive the perfect tree as an investment and hopefully I'll live long enough to see the benefits..

I'm also due to receive an unspecified "large deciduous tree" from a house builder, which I'm led to believe will be upwards of 8' at delivery. I may be to wrangle an change of species if a more suitable species can be identified.

Last edited: 12 October 2016 22:51:49

Dovefromabove

There's no way I'd site a tree of that type and potential size anything like 10 ft or even twice that from a house and if you do and have close neighbours I'd expect them to be taking legal advice as the impact of its roots on the subsoil is likely to affect their home as well as yours. 

If you're not convinced I suggest you consult your property insurers. 

Last edited: 13 October 2016 07:29:33

Fairygirl

Ten feet? I'd agree totally with Dove - your household insurer will have a field day, not to mention the neighbours having a hissy feet of biblical proportion.....

pansyface

NET CURTAINS?

[Glen]

If the 2nd floor needs to be written-off, then can you please suggest evergreens that would provide privacy to the 1st floor with the same garden constraints?

[Glen]

Dovefromabove says:

There's no way I'd site a tree of that type and potential size anything like 10 ft or even twice that from a house and if you do and have close neighbours I'd expect them to be taking legal advice as the impact of its roots on the subsoil is likely to affect their home as well as yours. 

If you're not convinced I suggest you consult your property insurers. 

Last edited: 13 October 2016 07:29:33

See original post

Builders and planners required a large tree to be present at the plot, and project delays meant they missed the original planting season. This creates today's options.

Whatever happens, a tree will be delivered. The landscaper called me with the spec of a deciduous tree that will inherently fail to provide year-round privacy - the company was unable to provide the scientific name, which does not bode well and the little I know is that (1) the common name of their specced tree contains "sun" and "gold"; and (2) that the young tree will be over 8' when planted.

There is a possibility that I can request (or perhaps add) a different species hence the thread.

Last edited: 13 October 2016 11:51:08

Dovefromabove

8 foot is not necessarily a large tree - an 8ft crab apple does not have the growth potential of an 8 ft ash or cedar.  

However, a crab apple will never screen your upstairs windows. However a crab apple is the largest tree I would consider planting within 20 ft of a house.  You really do need to find out the type of tree the developer intends to plant

You suggest that an evergreen tree would be preferable - remember that an evergreen will be far more susceptible to damage and rocking or worse by strong winter winds - yet another reason why a large evergreen should not be planted near a house.