Many people prefer to screen their garden and home from neighbours, overlooking windows or unsightly buildings.
This can be done with fast-growing evergreen hedging, or by planting trees with a clear stem that rise above a fence or wall with a bushy canopy above. This type of screening is particularly useful if you are overlooked by neighbouring properties, would like to draw the eye towards a specific feature, or would like to retain lower level exposure, for example, of an attractive wall or area.
Feathered trees that have full growth from the ground upwards offer similar screening ability without leaving lower levels exposed. Generally, evergreens are preferred for this purpose and can be planted densely to achieve maximum effect from the offset. However, planting a selection of trees, if space allows, can provide rich contrast and seasonal interest.
Evergreen trees (which remain green throughout winter) include:
Cupressoocyparis leylandii ( Leyland Cypress and other varieties), Ilex aquifolium (English Holly), Magnolia grandiflora Gallisoniensis (Evergreen Magnolia), Prunus laurocerasus (Cherry Laurel), Taxus baccata (English Yew), Thuja plicata (Western Red Cedar), Photinia (Red Robin, Pink Marble), Pinus varieties ( Scot’s Pine and others),
Deciduous trees (which loose foliage in winter)include:
Acer campestre ( Field Maple), Alnus cordata (Alder), Fagus varieties (Green and Purple Beech), Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam), Pyrus chanticleer (Ornamental Pear), Quercus varieties(Oak), Populus nigra (Poplar),and others
Bamboo (Phyllostachys) and Tasmanian Gum (Eucalyptus) can also provide good screening and can lend a peaceful oriental feel to a garden.
We import framed trees from Italy which are popular for screening gardens to achieve instant privacy. Most of these are Photina Red Robin and Laurel, though Eleagnus, Ilex, Magnolia and Hornbeam framed trees can be available to order.
If you are looking for trees for screening and need some ideas, please visit our nursery or call us on 01332 517600 and we would be very happy to advise you. Many options can be ordered if we do not have the size or variety of tree you are looking for. The trees below are just a few examples of screening possibilities. We look forward to seeing you to discuss your requirements.