Which tree?

 Hello,

I need to plant a tree to provide some privacy from neighbours. It must be
one that won't grow more than 12 tall, absolute tops. I'd like something
that is fast growing, and graceful-looking (not a conifer). The soil is
very alkaline, stony and rather lacking in humous. Is there a weeping
willow that doesn't grow more than 12ft tall? Otherwise, perhaps a cherry
tree or something. I'm open to suggestions. Ideally, it'll be one whose
branches spread out somewhat. I love on the South Coast of England near the
sea.

Thank you,

Al

 

You could consider Clerodendrum trichotomum (or Clerodendron as it is
apparently known in the U.S.)  It's a tree with really beautiful and
interesting perfumed flowers, followed by spectacular purple berries encased
in a red star-shaped calyx (is that the right word?).  I have seen one in
the garden of a pub near Bath, and it's not more than about 10 feet tall, I
think, so it might fit your requirements.  I have managed to acquire some
seeds for this tree from a source on the IoW and have about five seedlings
on the go at the moment, but I would suggest you purchase a larger specimen
if you're over 40 years old :-)

I wouldn't recommend a weeping willow, my father planted one when I was a
child and it sucked all the moisture out of the lawn and left it brown and
dry.  Weeping willows should probably be planted near a water source such as
a lake or stream.

HTH, someone

 

"AL_n"  wrote

I need to plant a tree to provide some privacy from neighbours. It must be
one that won't grow more than 12 tall, absolute tops. I'd like something
that is fast growing, and graceful-looking (not a conifer). The soil is
very alkaline, stony and rather lacking in humous. Is there a weeping
willow that doesn't grow more than 12ft tall? Otherwise, perhaps a cherry
tree or something. I'm open to suggestions. Ideally, it'll be one whose
branches spread out somewhat. I love on the South Coast of England near the
sea.

................
Willow is not a good idea for various reasons, foundations, drains, moisture
levels in the rest of the garden....
The only way to get what you want is to spend considerable money on a mature
specimen tree. As another poster has said, fast growing trees like Leylandii
don't stop growing, 100ft+ is possible, so constant pruning and trimming is
needed to keep them small. A tree as small as you want takes time to get
there.
Bamboo makes a good screen but be careful which you choose and surround it
with a deep barrier to stop it wandering.

--
Regards
Bob Hobden
W.of London. UK

 

Thanks to all for the replies. Is there a 12-ft tall bamboo?
Anyway, you've got me thinking... perhaps there is something other than a
tree that would do the trick. The problem is, that it needs to grow at
least 10 ft to provide the privacy I need, but mustn't grow more than 12 or
13ft, otherwise it'll encroach on someone's sea view.

I don't mind doing a bit of pruning each year, but I'm reluctant to lop
trees because it usually messes up their beauty, I think. However, if
someone knows of a type of tree where this doesn't apply, please let me
know...

Al

 

It does sound like a case for one of the bamboos: if they like their
quarters they do grow fast, and they do stop at a particular height.
But, as Bob says, they do need to be restrained at root level once
they get going. Plug "bamboo nursery" into a search engine, and see
what's out there. I'd start here for official basic info,
https://xxx.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?PIDy
and maybe here, but try to find somewhere cheaper to buy from:
http://www.crocus.co.uk/plants/_/bamboo/plcid.301/

--
Mike.