I am thinking....

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Fat Controller, Apr 16, 2024.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    Messages:
    26,510
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Public Transport
    Location:
    At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
    Ratings:
    +49,707
    This year isn't the year to take down these conifers, so I am going to tidy up their 'legs' a bit, and I will leave them as they are, but...

    WhatsApp Image 2024-03-30 at 16.32.41_c7499e9e.jpg

    I think it is fair to say that even with bare trunks, the are going to look a bit shhh.. rubbish.

    I also have some spare wood left over from creating the fence and gate around the veggie plot:

    IMG-20240413-WA0005.jpg

    So, I am wondering if I should make a planter to sit underneath those trees, line it with landscape fabric (already in hand), and plant something there to detract from the bare stems? It wouldn't need to be too high, I wouldn't think.

    Daft idea, or not?
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Punkdoc

      Punkdoc experienced

      Joined:
      Apr 19, 2020
      Messages:
      290
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      retired doctor
      Location:
      S. Yorks Derbyshire boundary.
      Ratings:
      +893
      Almost anything might look better than those stems, so I would go for it.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • Agree Agree x 1
      • ViewAhead

        ViewAhead Gardener

        Joined:
        Mar 14, 2024
        Messages:
        390
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        South of the South Downs, north of the sea!
        Ratings:
        +1,083
        Good idea. :blue thumb:
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • Dovefromabove

          Dovefromabove Keen Gardener

          Joined:
          Mar 13, 2024
          Messages:
          504
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Central Norfolk
          Ratings:
          +1,466
          On one of my routes from here down to Suffolk I pass by a Leylandii which has had the equivalent of its crown lifted followed by a sort of ‘cloud pruning’. It ain’t great … but it’s a heck of a lot more attractive than what you’ve got at the moment.

          I suppose it depends on whether that much effort is worth it :noidea:
           
          • Like Like x 3
          • On the Levels

            On the Levels Gardener

            Joined:
            Mar 17, 2024
            Messages:
            234
            Ratings:
            +583
            We had a similar situation so once the lower branches were cut we planted out some clematis that climbed up the trunks and gave us colour and hid the bare trunks. Yes it was back to bare in the winter but early Spring the leaves would start growing again.
             
            • Like Like x 4
            • fairygirl

              fairygirl Keen Gardener

              Joined:
              Oct 3, 2020
              Messages:
              787
              Occupation:
              retired
              Location:
              west central Scotland
              Ratings:
              +1,517
              I frequently remove lower branches from the conifer at the end of my garden - three trunks.
              It definitely helps the appearance, and allows a bit more light in, although I've done it for a different reason.
              A raised bed of some kind could be ideal, with suitable planting. I can plant stuff directly below mine as there isn't a shortage of moisture getting in, but I can't see it being a problem with the right soil and plant choices. :smile:
               
              • Like Like x 3
              • Angie Jones (nut)

                Angie Jones (nut) Gardener

                Joined:
                Mar 13, 2024
                Messages:
                47
                Gender:
                Female
                Occupation:
                well retired
                Location:
                in the sticks near Peterborough
                Ratings:
                +85
                If you remove all the dead stuff so the trunks are clean they won't look so bad. Not good but not so bad
                 
                • Agree Agree x 5
                • Like Like x 1
                • Plantminded

                  Plantminded Keen Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Mar 13, 2024
                  Messages:
                  300
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Retired
                  Location:
                  Wirral
                  Ratings:
                  +1,026
                  I tidied the trunk on an annoying conifer once and it annoyed me even more @Fat Controller! It had to go!
                   
                  • Funny Funny x 2
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • AuntyRach

                    AuntyRach Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Mar 13, 2024
                    Messages:
                    189
                    Gender:
                    Female
                    Location:
                    South Wales
                    Ratings:
                    +927
                    If you clip and brush off all
                    the dead bits (dustpan brush works well) then at least the stems will be clean and something in front will distract nicely.
                     
                    • Like Like x 2
                    • Agree Agree x 1
                    • Fat Controller

                      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

                      Joined:
                      May 5, 2012
                      Messages:
                      26,510
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Occupation:
                      Public Transport
                      Location:
                      At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
                      Ratings:
                      +49,707
                      I would like to get rid completely, but I have neither the time nor the funds currently, so am looking for a sort of stop-gap measure for a year or two really. I certainly don't have the ability to use a stump grinder, so even once they are given the chop, whatever goes in there will need to be in some sort of raised bed anyway as nothing would grow there - the ground is as dry as the desert.
                       
                    • pete

                      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

                      Joined:
                      Jan 9, 2005
                      Messages:
                      48,335
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Occupation:
                      Retired
                      Location:
                      Mid Kent
                      Ratings:
                      +86,324
                      Paint them blue and call it a fence.:biggrin:
                       
                      • Funny Funny x 9
                      • shiney

                        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

                        Joined:
                        Jul 3, 2006
                        Messages:
                        61,436
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Occupation:
                        Retired - Last Century!!!
                        Location:
                        Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
                        Ratings:
                        +118,710
                        Grow some ivy up them. You can get some nice larger leafed variegated ivies.
                         
                        • Like Like x 4
                        • Fat Controller

                          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

                          Joined:
                          May 5, 2012
                          Messages:
                          26,510
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Occupation:
                          Public Transport
                          Location:
                          At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
                          Ratings:
                          +49,707
                          I did wonder about something like Boston Ivy...
                           
                        • shiney

                          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

                          Joined:
                          Jul 3, 2006
                          Messages:
                          61,436
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Occupation:
                          Retired - Last Century!!!
                          Location:
                          Herts/Essex border. Zone 8b
                          Ratings:
                          +118,710
                          It's not evergreen :noidea:
                           
                          • Agree Agree x 2
                          • Fat Controller

                            Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

                            Joined:
                            May 5, 2012
                            Messages:
                            26,510
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Occupation:
                            Public Transport
                            Location:
                            At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
                            Ratings:
                            +49,707
                            Not sure that would worry me so much - but I see where you are coming from to cover the trunks more permanently.
                             
                          Loading...

                          Share This Page

                          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                            Dismiss Notice