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I need some fast growing attractive trees

• Message 1. 

  Posted by Lizmunstone (U6711031) on Tuesday, 16th August 2011

  Our town garden backs onto an industrial estate, and now we have cleared away an old shed we need to plant a couple of trees, which I hope will distract the eye from the industrial units beyond the fence.
  
  The soil is stony, neutral and well drained. We have had fusarium wilt in a nearby part of the garden so I would want something which is resistant to that, just in case. I would like to put in trees at about 6-8', and would like them to grow at least a foot a year. I don't want evergreen, just something with a nice shape and maybe a few flowers or berries.
  
  Am I looking for the impossible? I'd be interested in any suggestions people might have.
  
  Thanks.

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Ginglygangly (U14874813) on Wednesday, 17th August 2011

  Hi Lizmunstone
  Not impossible, but a tricky one! Probably the key thing to consider, rather than the rate of growth, is how big trees are likely to get - leylandii is a classic example of something that seems a good idea, provides an effective screen, but can become a bit of a monster.
  As yours is a town garden, you also need to think about how far tree roots will extend towards your property - the bigger the tree, the further the roots extend and they can cause all sorts of problems in their search for water. Birch is good for a town garden - very pretty silver bark, small leaves that don't block out too much light and shallow roots.The other benefit is that they are great for wildlife, many birds and insects dine on birch. I'm not sure how quickly they grow though.
  As trees are in a garden for a long time it's really worth thinking about what sort of look you are after - do you like flowers or Autumn colour? Would their shade effect your garden? If so, you want to think about how big the leaves are. Do you want a traditional garden, or are you interested in a more "exotic" look? Are you interested in encouraging wildlife? All these considerations will help you find the right trees for you.
  It would definitely be worth a trip to a specialist nursery in the Autumn - ideal time to plant trees, better range and better value than in general garden centres and you could get some expert advice. In the meantime, maybe have a look at the selection in your local garden centre and check out what your neighbours have planted. Also have a look at reference books. I dont know much about trees myself and have found the Readers Digest Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of Britain (Boot Fair bargain!) really useful in identifying the trees that are in my garden. You should be able to find something similar in your local library, and there may be some info online.
  Good luck!
  GG

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• Message 3

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  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Wednesday, 17th August 2011

  I would forget Leylandii for ever and a day. It is just about the worst possible hedging tree, is very unwieldy, dies without warning, all sorts...!
  
  You may well need to plant more trees than you actually end up with, to see which does best. How about looking at the local by=pass. see what they have got there and do similar?! Plant quite close together, some won't take.
  
  the size of trees for sale varies so much and the price goes up proportionately, you may want to economize, and grow from small. I bought a bundle of yew saplings in a winter sale 3 years ago and they are all doing quite well 6 for £30!
  
  If you bought a six foot yew, it would cost you £80, or moreand then you would get your 1' increase per year, straight away.
  
  10 trees at £8 ea is £80 10 trees at £80ea is £800.
  
  Which do you prefer?
  
  Ten tree seeds in a pack, £2.80
  
  

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• Message 4

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  Posted by blueberry77 (U14703896) on Saturday, 20th August 2011

  I don't want evergreen, just something with a nice shape and maybe a few flowers or berries. 
  
  Rowan is the first thing that comes to mind. Possibly flowering cherry - how much space do you have, how far away from the house ?
  
  Weeping pear is nice too.

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Saturday, 20th August 2011

  Japanese double flowering blank cherry.

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• Message 6

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  Posted by Colin (U2252951) on Sunday, 21st August 2011

  Eucalyptus Gunnii or Phyllostachys Bissettii or chusquea Gigantea?

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• Message 7

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  Posted by elouisa (U14293070) on Sunday, 21st August 2011

  How about an Amelanchier?. This is a lovely deciduous tree which has beautiful pale pink leaves when coming back to life in spring, followed by lovely white flowers, followed by leaves which turn from shades of green to pink to organge in the autumn. It is very hardy and will grow in almost any conditions. Mine is in an area which is overlooked by an elder, but holds its own and flourishes.
  
  Another alternative could be Euonymus Europaeus. This is a small tree with beautiful red and orange seed pods in summer followed by brillian red autumn colour. It will gorw to a heigh to two metres in any situation.
  
  Hope this helps.

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• Message 8

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  Posted by Lizmunstone (U6711031) on Monday, 22nd August 2011

  Thanks everyone, that has given me a lot to think about.
  
  Definitely not Leylandii, we took 8 mature ones out of the garden when we moved in and don't regret it for a minute.
  
  Luckily we have a longish triangular garden so whatever we put in, roots won't be a problem. Nor will a bit of overhang, as we border onto a car park at the side and a grassy bank in the industrial estate at the back. And a bit of shade would not be a problem as we have a bed of ferns next to where the trees would go.
  
  I like the sound of rowan, birch, amelanchier, and cherry. I'm not averse to putting them in quite close to start with and then taking one or two out as they grow; then I can see what thrives best and keep those.
  
  

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• Message 9

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  Posted by Papa Nopsis (U14479902) on Tuesday, 23rd August 2011

  
  
  

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