Losing my cherry trees, need a fast growing replacement?

[UNKAL]

Well I knew it was coming but two of my three gnarly old cherry trees need felling. They've got canker, fungus, rot you name it...

The main problem is we have a dastardly developer building a block of flats right behind our garden so once they're gone we'll have no screening from them.

Not being an expert on trees I need some advice in choosing some new fast growing large trees that will give good screening and be attractive to wildlife, the current cherry trees are loved by the bird population as good source of food so I don't to replace them with conifers.

I don't know how old the trees are (got to be at least 20 years old) but they are at least 30ft in height so we've got a lot of cover to replace.

I'll post a pic when I figure out how!

Thanks
UNK

[Kayleigh]

Rowan's are good for wildlife, I think they grow quite quickly too.
But I don't think they grow that tall..
I'm sure you will get lots of expert advice.

[RobinP]

Just some amateur advice I'm afraid, hybrid poplar and willow trees grow up to 8 feet a year, not sure how benefuicial to wildlife they are though.

[Tursiops2]

On reasonably well drained soil, Silver Birch is fast growing, good looking, and one of the best native trees for wildlife. Alder and willow are also good, but do best on dampish/clay soil. Don't plant them too close to buildings as the roots can cause problems to foundations.
T2

[the green man]

Hi unkal hazel is a good replacement,quick growing. nuts for animals and birds munchie leaves for insects plus straight rods for tha garden eg bean poles

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Rowan's are good for wildlife, I think they grow quite quickly too.
But I don't think they grow that tall..
I'm sure you will get lots of expert advice.

They are slow growing Kayleigh. We have a 12 year old, which is about 12 feet and was about 6 feet when planted.

[steve_nova]

How about say three trees. One Birch (our native Betula pendula) but plant it as a small tree, no more than five foot as it will actually establish better.

One Cotoneaster 'Cornubia' for its evergreen foliage and plenty of berries for birds and it's pretty quick growing too.

If you want a quick, fast growing "nut" type tree, then put a Nothofagus procera (Raoul) in. Four foot a year when young. As it's native home is southern Chile, it's quite at home in the UK.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by ron1863

They are slow growing Kayleigh. We have a 12 year old, which is about 12 feet and was about 6 feet when planted.

oops, well I got the good for wildlife bit right..

[Jez]

Why not grow more Wild cherry, it grows at a reasonable rate & Hazel is copsed and comes back quickly, Ash is good + Wild Privet. In a shady spot these plants will compete & grow quicker but grow much more thinly as opposed to a sunny situ where they will grow slower but much denser.

[UNKAL]

Blimey, thanks for all the suggestions.

I have found some info on the hybrid willow which seems to be very fast growing, and will form a very effective barrier between us and the new development of flats. It also seems to support a good variety of insects, good news for the local birds, and can also be coppiced for firewood, which is a bonus as I am in the process of investigating a wood burning stove for our lounge.

I might put in a small berry bearing tree/shrub as well to make up for the cherries.

Will let you know how this progresses.
UNK

[maggot at toad hall]

Hi try this site for some good info on trees:
Flora For Fauna Blog: 10 Native Trees for Small English Gardens Archives

Before you plant anything perhaps it might be an idea to see if any of the fungus problems you mention could spread to the new trees. Maybe you need to treat the ground first. I'm not an expert on this, but it sounds like a reasonable precaution.
Does anyone have knowledge on treatment after fungal problems?