Trees very close!

These 3 trees are planted very close together! It's such a shame as I love all 3 and don't think I could move them.
I think the best thing to do is prune them to different sizes so they can all be seen.

What would you do?

One is a magnolia the other a maple and I don't know what the third one is at the back.

 

Re. the one on the right (83.4 KB), is it possible to see the top of this tree i.e. with leaves? The photo is showing what appears to be bracken growing around the base.

 

Do you mean the trunk that is at the back?

 

Looking at pic 83.4 KB, this is the tree on the left, a magnolia.

 

This is the middle trunk, a maple I think.

 

And this, I think is the one you are asking about, trunk right next the the maple!!

 

In the photo that is 83.4 KB (the one on the right of your attachment files). Oh...perhaps I have it wrong. In the photo there are 2 trunks. I assumed it was the nearest trunk - with bracken at the base. Sorry.

 

The trees should never have been planted that close together, they are also to close to the fence. When planting trees the over all spread of the canopy and the root system should be considered taking into account how large it will be when fully matured. So many people make this mistake.

Pruning won't make any difference as it's more likely to encourage stronger growth. At the risk of losing the trees I would attempt to move them during the winter months when they are dormant, digging out as much of the root ball as possible.

 

I feel a little sad as I really like the 3 trees! When you first look at the garden it looks lovely, but once you start to explore I feel this mistake as been made many time

Also near these 3 trees is a Christmas tree (sorry don't know names), another large bush like tree that I cut down, and others you would be amazed if I showed you!
Thanks for advice.

 

It's a common mistake to make Dianne. My neighbour has planted an Aesculus (horse chestnut) in a 4 x 4ft retaining bank in their garden right next to our adjoining fence. The tree is only 15ft from their house. It's growing very quickly and if it survives will reach approximately 80ft in height, can you imagine the root spread on it! They've also planted a willow just 2ft from the fence, 10ft from their house and 15ft from mine. Willows are notorious for creating damage to foundations and drains as their root spread can be more than their over all height.

For years I have said that the labels attached to trees and shrubs that are being sold should contain the root spread of these plants, but that only works if people read the labels, which many don't!

Obviously it's up to you whether you move the trees, they don't look as if they are very old so the chances are they will survive. It looks as though you will have to think about removing other plants from your garden too. Over crowding can look attractive but it's not healthy for plants when fighting for water and soil nutrients.

If you put the Christmas tree (fir) in the Id forum, somebody will be able to tell you what type it is. Again this is a tree that will eventually put on a lot of height. You have a lot of thinking to do about the future of your garden and I'm sorry, that's probably my fault!

 

Looks like you have two Acers (Japanese Maples). They don't look too big so you should be able to move one or both, but wait until after the leaves have dropped and the plant is dormant

 

I was already thinking what you have told me was just hoping I could have got away with leaving them, thinking (as a total newbie) by pruning I could keep them small ha ha.

The fir tree is also close the the house and could block out light!
I'm constantly planning and re-planing the garden in my mind thank you for you advice

 

This is useful, thank you.
I'll need to get the hubby to help with the digging up! Not sure if I have a place to put them but I could always give them to a friend

 

One last question, (for now) will the roots of both trees be twisted together?

 

This is the area I'm talking about!