Tree Suggestions

Hi Folks

Does such a thing exist - looking for a fast growing (preferably slim style) conifer which wouldn't grow more than 10ft?

Maybe asking too much?

We had to remove a very tall old hedge and now have lost a lot of privacy.

Hoping to replace it with something which would grow fast but not get too high.

Thanks in advance
Alan

 

Hi Alan. I'm afraid that things that grow pretty fast tend to go on growing... Your best chance is resigning yourself to getting something moderately fast and then clip it very regularly. But the faster it grows, the more often you will need to trim it... If you have had a hedge removed, remember also that the soil will be pretty exhausted and will need lots of extra feed and humus (eg manure) to help the new plants to grow.

 

Hi CarolineL

Thanks for that. Its what I thought really.

Perhaps then to look at the long term future, is there a confider type tree which has a max height of about 8-10ft?

Even if it did take a while to grow?

 

Hi Alan - well yew is the classic hedging plant for quite tall hedges, because you can get such a neat finish on it. But there are people around here who know better than me and can give good advice.
I used to have a mixed hedge of hawthorn, golden privet and cotoneaster simonsii but that was in a rural setting - if you are in a suburban setting, conifers are probably better.

 

Italian Cypress, Cuppressus sempervirens is what you want I think.

 

Not fast, but Irish yew is a good one for not getting too tall and staying narrow.

 

If you want it tall and narrow I love the Serbian spruce. Picea omorika
Steve

 

Shrubby honeysuckle (lonicera nitida). It's a classic hedging plant, looks a bit tidier than box or privet IMO, and whilst the flowers are tiny they do smell nice.