what tree would be suitable for me at the end of my garden?

[TRE]

Hi,
Could some one please advise me has to what tree would be suitable for me at the end of my garden.
My garden size is 22 meters by 6 meters (width) and at the end of my garden is a council estate which is why I need these trees to block there view. I think I am going to need 2 or 3 trees for this but are unsure what type of trees to plant, could some one please advise me on this the tree should reach max about 10 meters high with roots that go down into the earth and NOT side ways as later I will be having rear kitchen extension put in I do not need the roots coursing subsidence also a point to notice is the soil is of clay type, I am quite like the ever green as they block all year round. A friend as said to me a fern tree is good?

[Morchella]

Well the bad news is all trees have roots that go outward to one degree or another. Provided you aren't going to build your extension right up the garden you should be fine provided you don't put in something unsuitable.

First suggestion would be holly trained as a standard, size depending on how much you have to spend. I have seen some very nice ones 4-5m high in a nursery, but you could always buy a smaller standard or bush and train it yourself. Check what variety you're getting as some don't grow as tall as the species.

Other suggestion is the Strawberry tree Arbutus unedo which is evergreen and can also be trained as a standard but is not native.

I'm not very good at conifers so wont; suggest anything there except keep away from those leylandii!

Laura

[Littlesparrow]

In various gardens I have had Eucalyptus, Apple and cherry trees . The only one that got out of hand was a beech hedge that grow far to large.

[Hedera]

Definitely not eucalyptus! The roots are far-reaching and the tree soaks up moisture terrifically. A nice holly will be evergreen, have berries (female tree) for birds and provide a safe nesting place. Cupressus varieties are evergreen or golden and tidy growing.

[Kayleigh]

I agree not Eucalyptus they grow very tall..
Holly,
Berberis is lovely about 15ft and masses of yellow flowers and birds breed/live in it.
Hawthorn..berries for the birds.
Rowan for the birds.
Bay trees my favourite..attracts insects and leaves can be eaten in stews/gravey curry ect.
Most of the above can be cut trimmed if get too big..

[Red Robin]

Originally Posted by Morchella

I'm not very good at conifers so wont; suggest anything there except keep away from those leylandii!

....I've got a fully grown Leylandii in my garden and I love it! It provides so much to all sorts of birds and insects and increases my privacy. It also provides shade for my wildlife pond which as a consequence only gets subjected to direct hot sun for about 6 hours a day. But I can see why many people don't like them. I've only got one neighbour and that's on a different boundary of my property.

[artdemole]

Nice bush or hedge will do.Golden Privit Has fragrant flowers.Leaves of green and yellow .Easy to trim or shape.Gets up to 3 meters or so in height.

[nightshade]

I like Golden Privet, either as a dense hedge or spaced bushes, I have it in my own garden. The Holly really is good ,a nesting tree, a roosting tree, expensive initially but a long lived tree.
Berberis purporea, a stock proof hedging, top security, wicked thorns.
Let us know what you decide

[Apus apus]

You could look at Robinia Pseudoacacia. It's not a British native so not much use to wildlife but it looks very attractive when in leaf (not evergreen) and grows to about the dimensions you require in UK conditions. It needs little or no attention apart from some initial support. It's a fairly common sight in urban areas these days and most garden centres will stock them. It would look very good with purple leaved shrubs, eg some species of Berberis, as others have suggested.

[b0mbus]

Its a difficult set of criteria to match by the sounds of it. Holly sounds like a good, safe bet, although Holly has always seemed to grow v. slowly for me until it is established which might take about 2 years. I was also thinking what would Scots Pine look like, Pinus sylvestris. There are some lovely Scots Pine growing in a neighbours garden by me that are about 10m.

The thing about conifers and pine trees is that the needles, when they fall, cause the soil to become acidic. I don't know if that's a problem for you, though its great if you want to grow Heather or Bilberry.

Is the location where you want to plant your tree(s) south facing? If it is you can grow common Heather at the base of Scots Pine and have a superb looking garden. I think common heather is such a stunning plant probably my favourite of all.