Garden design tips needed! Pictures attached.

[ellabellabetsyboo]

We have just finished knocking down an old garage and (nearly finished!) building a new outbuilding to the back of our garden. We have a beautiful old apple tree at the front of our garden that I love. However, I think it might have canker and if we ever get round to extending our bungalow along the back it would have to go. We will probably be staying at this house for many years so would like to plant some new trees (including perhaps another fruit tree?) and so would love some tips on what plants/ bushes/trees we should plant and where to plant them. We were thinking about having a small seating area next to the building at the back? We also have a very bright street light that shines from high up in the far right corner ( a busy main road is 2 streets away) that we would like to block. We do like the feeling of the garden being quite open.If anyone has any suggestions of what to do with the garden they would be much appreciated!

How much sun does your garden get? Most fruit trees like a fair bit of sun, so it would help to know which direction your garden is facing,

No design tips from me, but if you are thinking of another fruit tree, have a look at Orange Pippin website: www.orangepippintrees.co.uk/ . The tree finder tool in particular is great for finding a fruit tree that will be happy in your garden.

It faces South East. It seems to get a lot of sun.

With your back to the apple tree I imagine I am looking SE and the street light is on my right.
Street lights are most noticeable in the winter when the days are dark but to screen that you would need an evergreen. But I doubt you would want a fir tree there. A weeping birch is a nice architectural tree, but they do get tall, and, although deciduous, would screen it a bit. Put some daffs round the base.
You could put a shrub area on the left towards the shed to screen the left of the shed and make it less stark. Perhaps with a tree nearest the fence. Amelanchiers don’t grow too big and are quite attractive. And some fruit trees on the right. They will flower in the spring and look pretty. Then a climbing plant or two of decent size on the fence on the left
It depends how much ongoing work you want. The more flowerbeds or shrub beds you make the more weeding and edging you have to do, although a mulch would help with that. The more trees you plant the more you have to mow round and strim round (which risks damage to the tree).
But it is definitely worth getting some trees in as in 5 years they will have transformed the garden. I wish I’d planned and planted more in mine. If they do get too big you have them cut down!

Thank you both for your suggestions. That Alamenchier is a great idea and I have never heard of it before so that was very helpful. The 'shed' is much larger than I expected it to be so I would really like something disguise it a little! We would be looking to plant shrubs along both sides of the garden rather than flowers as we hope these would give more privacy and be easier to maintain?