Garden trees

[EYDavis]

We are moving to a house with a large garden and would like to plant some trees. It looks as if it's possible to buy mature (or semi-mature) trees online but can anyone suggest any that might be particularly suitable for a residential garden?

We also need to secure the back of the garden, which backs onto a very large field with livestock. Again, we would welcome any suggestions as to what could be planted to discourage ramblers and sheep from straying into the garden? Is there an alternative to leylandii?

Barcham Trees has a really informative website and will answer any questions you have if you email them. I had a garden. make- over, 2 years ago and their help was invaluable. I bought two trees from them and the rest from other suppliers. The telegraph Garden Shop, Crocus and Majestic Trees for the mid priced ones. I also bought some from Wilko, which I highly recommend for any garden plants, for a small price they are good quality and great value.

For your back fence I would plant a pyracantha hedge, it is beautiful all year round and very easy to maintain. Alternatively Cockburnianus (white bramble) spreads very quickly and has vicious thorns.

Anything that goes on the boundary and might be accessible to grazing animals needs to be something that isn't poisonous. I'd steer clear of conifers anyway, so maybe go for something native and prickly like hawthorn or blackthorn along there.

How big is the garden - are we talking space for ultimately huge trees like oaks or cedars, or smaller garden ones like birch or cherry?

I'd start by working out what kind of garden you want. Do you want to attract wildlife and birds? Do you want to see the view through the trees or use trees for some extra privacy from the field? How broad and tall should the trees grow and do consider leaf fall, it's a chore that comes round quicker than you think. Leaf fall is just a price to pay though when you can have fantastic Autumn colour. If you prioritise that, do you want reds or yellows, or both? Would you like fruit trees and blossom in the Spring? or something ornamental like Lilac or Magnolia?

If you go for fruit trees be prepared to enter into a war with birds and squirrels and if you choose hedging or trees with berries check they're not poisonous to any children or pets.

All that decided you can start tracking down what to plant.

You could use native mixed hedging, beech or plant thorny shrubs as mentioned above. I like www.hedgesdirect.co.uk/acatalog/cotoneaster-hedge-plants.html because you get flowers and berries and bees love it.
On that link there are tabs giving you lots more information about different types of hedging and some trees too.

Same here. This Spindle is very pretty
Beechwood Nursery link and you can mix in with more thorny species.

If you choose something like Silver Birch then consider planting a few together in a small 'grove'
Beechwood Nursery link Other specimen trees will look better alone. Just be aware of root spread and any drainage lines in the garden or nearby.

Hope that helps

Forgot to spell out the obvious things of aspect, soil and drainage.

www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/amelanchier-lamarckii-tree-p278
This is very pretty as it has both blossom and berries, which the birds love, although the blossom isn't particularly long lasting.

Plant a linden tree if you want the best summer scent ever.,

Tell us more about the garden, or take a pic/draw a plan etc.

Thank you for all the replies so far. Photograph and satellite image (property marked in black borders) attached. Google says that the rear garden is 517 square metres (5,562 sq ft or 0.13 acres in total). There is also a small patch of grass at the front of the property that is calling out for a pretty tree, although ideally not one that will block light from the front windows!

I will take a look at the links provided so far...