How can we improve garden screening

5 years ago

Our house backs on to some land that is about to be redeveloped and the developer has taken out 3x extremely large yew trees. We have gone from having a very private leafy garden to a very open garden and would like to add some sort of screening to the end to improve our privacy and security. What would you suggest? The fence is already at max height so I’m guessing it needs to be trellis or fast growing planting but I’m reluctant to lose too much space at the end. Any other bright ideas please?

Featured Answer

Bow Sward

5 years ago

Makes me sad for you - and for the trees - a tragedy for nature and for privacy. Not sure how much they cost or how quickly they grow but those beautiful Italian cypresses - tall and slender profile - wouldn’t take up too much depth and a few of those along your fence might be relatively quickly achieved privacy without growing too tall perhaps?

Comments (17)

PRO
Mel Weber Interior Design
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you. Yes it’s horrendous, those trees were a couple of hundred years old and home to lots of wildlife. Thanks for your suggestion, will look into those.
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Chris Goodchild
5 years ago
Something like a fast growing Berberis would give you security, looks and can be trimmed back in terms of depth into the garden but can grow to a good ten feet.

Pyracantha will give a similar effect and will grow even higher, plus you get colour twice a year, Spring with the blossom and autumn with the berries. The berries you can make jelly or jam from too.
Helen C
5 years ago
Shame on the developer, that’s an absolute travesty. Would it be wise to wait until the new development is built so you can make sure the trees are correctly positioned to provide maximum privacy?
E D
5 years ago
That's so sad.

Are there no local planning / tree preserving rules broken by the developer?
PRO
Mel Weber Interior Design
Original Author
5 years ago
There's nothing that can be done now they've come out unfortunately. If the developer had put planning in we would have put TPOs on the trees to protect them which would have jeopardised his development plans, but they came and took them out on a Saturday when we couldn't call the council and stop him and he will now put planning in. It's incredibly sneaky but common practice amongst developers apparently. Scandalous.

I'm now wondering if a temporary measure (trellis) might be a better option until I know where to position the trees as you suggest.
E D
5 years ago
I appreciate your pragmatic stance but I'd still contact the council.

Perhaps, if the rules allow, they can force the developer to come up with a solution.
PRO
Mel Weber Interior Design
Original Author
5 years ago
We are in contact with the council don’t worry!
Helen C
5 years ago
Just to add another suggestion, pleached hornbeam. It would be nice to think that the developer would foot the bill though for his brazen actions as mature trees can be expensive.
dianahartaboyne
5 years ago
Elder grows very quickly...you could plant a few along the back to get screening within a year and plant something more substantial at the same time. Bay trees grow prolifically and Sycamore too although a more bushy shrub would give more thick cover eventually. Good luck, breaks my heart to see them felled. Same happened to us between buying our house and moving in...neighbours felled a huge oak in our garden that was taking their light...no discussion though!
Carolina
5 years ago
Pleached Photinia trees would be a possibility. Evergreen, young leaves are red.
Sonia
5 years ago
It’s one thing to fell trees that are diseased or encroaching paths or buildings, but to do that for no reason is sacrilege. What a sad day. As there are no buildings nearby (yet!) you could plant a couple of trees at the bottom. My favourites are birch (Betula), Mountain Ash (Sorbus), twisted willow (Salix). The birch is host to hundreds of insects which the birds feed on and they love to nest in them. Creates a lovely dappled shade. However, if the buildings are going to be built near your fence line then trees are not a good idea as the roots can cause damage. Shrubs such as evergreen Viburnums tinus or, as Carolina suggested, Photinia may help create a screen. I do hope you find a good remedy.
dorsetdor
5 years ago
Pleached trees work well because they don't take up much depth (cant tell how much space you have behind shed and trampoline. Hornbeam is gorgeous though deciduous (they can retain their leaves in the winter and its nice to see the seasonal changes - but there is no guarantee). Quercus Ilex is another evergreen and looks lovely pleached. They're not cheap (nice if the developer coughed up) but they do the job well.
Moni Burns
4 years ago
hello Leo and Grace. I am in a similar situation as you. what did you decide to do in the end
PRO
Mel Weber Interior Design
Original Author
4 years ago
Moni Burns we decided to wait to see if the planning was approved or not and it’s been a long process but planning was finally refused at appeal after almost a year. We decided pleached trees would be best but are yet to put them in. The land behind slopes upwards so even with pleached trees in I think we’ll still be pretty exposed. Good luck with your situation.
Jules Mc
4 years ago
Nice news to start the day..... Their planning app refused. Justly deserved for sneaky tactics. Good luck with your pleached trees. They will look lovely i'm sure.
Gabby Wong
4 years ago
Really pleased for you! That’s great News! Such a shame about the trees... we had conifers at the back that we had to take down before we started our extension - was gutted! And yea we’re thinking pleached trees as well

How can we improve garden screening

Bow Sward

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How can we improve garden screening

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