Where would I buy large trees to provide shade (& which trees should I choose)?

[Katymac]

It is to provide dappled shade for small children

I am also interested in Living fences - but I don't know much about them...please enlighten me

tia KMC

and how much will they cost?

Bump

Whereabouts in the country are you?

Norfolk

It's a large unsheltered area - with very few wind breaks to shelter the trees

mostly large tree do not move well, they need very careful prepartion for the move, and most nurseries don't do that. you would probably be better off bying smaller cheaper trees, which should establish just as quickly, but not instantly - you shouldn't be planting any trees at this time of the year anyway - need to wait until autumn.
Willow is inexpensive, grows well, and could be used either as a feature tree, if far enough away from house, or to establish a living fence,

I will be planting in November (I hope) - both the trees and the fence

i will need to buy fairly large trees as I will need shelter for the children in the summer next year

You need to be careful with trees as they can be very thirsty plants - which, in the modern climate, can be a major drawback. Also, many plants which will grow in shade - including grass - will not grow under trees as the trees take up too much water and the shade is therefore arid. Willow are particularly thirsty trees.

You don't necessarily need a tall tree to provide effective shade, a tall shrub planted in the correct location can be just right. This is something I'm looking into myself, but haven't yet found 'the' tree.

That does worry me

But I feel a tree would be better for shade than a tent?

But at what time of the day are you concerned about providing shade? A tall tree may only provide adequate shade near it during the middle of the day, when the sun is overhead, and, in any case, would take years to reach a good height and spread. Whereas a shrub will be a good height and spread within a couple of years and provides shade near it when teh sun is lower. I imagine that when the sun is at its highes tyou'll keep the children indoors in any case, so you want shade before and after this.

We are in a field with no hedges or shelter at all

I doub in the summer that we will be out between 11 and 3 - but if we follow one type of govenment guidence we will need free access outside all the time.

I am hoping that the living fence will provide some shade - but I feel we will need additional shading

Bushes and shrubs maybe the way to go

I may have to involve a landscape gardener in order to get the effect we need as I feel a portacabin in a feild surrounded by a small fence is going to look a bit silly

Hi katymac, we have just had a simple structure built onto the back of the house to provide dappled shade. Italians might call it a loggia but we call it the Thing. It's made from 3 tree trunks planted into the edge of the lawn, with simple battens along the back of the house and then 3 angled 8 foot by 4 foot willow panels as a roof. It's great!

Willow can be used to make fantastic 'living' fences and structures like arbours, tunnels etc. and bamboo is another option if you want a fast-growing clump which can create some shade.

I'm hopeless at links but if you Google willow arbour or willlow structure there are some great companies out there

The list of trees is endless, But whatever you decide make sure you have planned where you want it, as it is long term and expensive to remove if you then decide you wanted your lawn, veg patch or whatever where you have planted a tree.
When you are buying try and find a wholesale nursery to buy from not a garden center you will get alot more for your money. Most wholesale nurseries will deal with private individuals if you are spending £100 + I usually buy from Chichester tress and shrubs (in Chichester) They do deliver but you might be to far away. You could request a catalogue anyway to get an idea of prices.
If I had the money and space an Indian bean tree would be top of my list for dappled shade though it may want some protection from the wind. Have a look around local parks ect. and try to identify the shape, size, leaf colour ect. that you want from your tree If you find one you like and don't know what it is you could always post a photo for people to identify.
I must admit I am of your situation it sounds as if you have a blank palate to paint.

It's a garden for children to play in - so it must be special

I think we do need some trees (maybe smaller than I have suggested here)

I think maybe I do need some advise (or maybe groundforce?)