Trees for privacy?

[G-Force]

Hi there,

Could anyone tell me what the best trees to plant in a garden which is fairly overlooked in an attempt to make it more private please?

Ideally we would want the trees to grow about 8 to 10 metres high 12 maximum and no more than 2 to 3 metres wide and would need them to be evergreen.
We would also need them to be fast growing.

Any suggestions for this would be greatly appreciated.

I reckon we would need approximately 10 to 20 trees and if anyone has any suggestions as good places to buy them where they are young and cheap but again
this is why we need them to be fast growing because we have a small budget.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Brian

[nightshade]

What is your general area? G-Force,broadly speaking
you are going to end up with Conifers
Eucalyptus varieties are evergreen but can bring their
own problems (depending on location)
Suitable shrubs rarely top 15ft

[Gill Catton]

well lots of people hate leylandii with a firey passion, but well, nesting birds love it and it will do the job for you, but you might want to consider where the permenant shadow will fall and be certain it won't upset anyone!

[Tormentil]

Leylandii are fast growing and if you cut the growing tip off about a foot below your required height, I would say these are your best bet.

[smartie]

Another alternative to leylandii, if you don't fancy that, is thuja plicata atrovirens, which grows about 75cm a year and needs to be kept under similar tight control. If you look at this site: Leylandii,Leylandii Hedging,Conifer Hedging,Laurel,Thuja,Specimen Conifers & Evergreen Hedging Plants from Greenshutters Nurseries & Plant Centre it might give you some ideas. Can't recommend the company particularly, as I've not used them myself.

Some of the Chamaecyparis make good hedges, but they aren't as fast growing.

[G-Force]

Thanks everyone for your prompt suggestions...

the Leylandii seems a popular choice - although I shopuld say, we have a fence to perimterise the garden but it's above this height which is overlooked.

So the trees are to be planted in front of the fence in single file rather than as a hedge so would you still advise the Leylandii as conifers? Can you get these in a dark green colour?
Excuse my ignorance please I am extremely new to gardening!

I also like Eucalyptus trees but not sure how lots of these would look.

I should point out that the sides which are overlooked have no adjacent property so the trees spiralling out of control won't be as much of a problem.

Thanks again

Brian

[nightshade]

Eucalyptus can grow to 50ft beautiful white bark dark green evergreen foliage
small rounded new leaves long lanceolate mature leaves.When in flower the tree
is covered in blossoms which bees adore.Nice sound when the wind blows the leaves
eucalyptus - Google Image Search
plenty of images on google

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by G-Force

Thanks everyone for your prompt suggestions...

the Leylandii seems a popular choice - although I shopuld say, we have a fence to perimterise the garden but it's above this height which is overlooked.

So the trees are to be planted in front of the fence in single file rather than as a hedge so would you still advise the Leylandii as conifers? Can you get these in a dark green colour?
Excuse my ignorance please I am extremely new to gardening!

I also like Eucalyptus trees but not sure how lots of these would look.

I should point out that the sides which are overlooked have no adjacent property so the trees spiralling out of control won't be as much of a problem.

Thanks again

Brian

Leylandii is mostly a dark green colour (though you can get other varieties) and they would still be suitable- but again beware even if it's just next doors garden and not an actual building they will shade, you may upset people - especially if they have planted lots of sun loving plants in that area.

Eucalyptus trees are great, very pretty, the foliage smells lovely when crushed and the wood smells good on the BBQ but I wouldn't recommend planting them anywhere near buildings or footpaths as I have heard that they can cause subsidance

[G-Force]

Thank you, looks like I've narrowed it down to two then. Both look good - will probably use the Leylandii but like the idea of having one maybe two Eucalyptus.

The neighbours aren't a problem because it;s just flats that we are wanting to block out not anyone else's gardens.

Thanks again for all the info!

[Kayleigh]

I would consider other tree's or hedges before making up your mind. Here are some helpful sugestions at a very reasonable price. They are a very helpful company you can e-mail any questions you may have.

Hedging Collections from Buckingham Nurseries