Screening trees - fast growing but not too big?!

[PullingMySocksUp]

Ideally I’d like something that grows really fast, to about 4m and then stops. So like eucalyptus or leylandii but self limiting. Ideally evergreen.
What’s the closest I might get?!

I’ve spent forever googling and not really got anywhere.

No tree actually just stops...the closest you will get is one on a specific rootstock but they tend to be fruit trees and not quick growing.

What about bamboo? Lots of different varieties but they meet your criteria.

Leylandii? Seriously, you think they stop growing OP?

And if you want to keep it to 4, you need to be prepared to get up a ladder or pay for pruning regularly.

Can you grow shorter trees and have them closer to the house if you need to screen the house from neighbours?

No need to be rude sunshine
You haven’t read my post properly. I’d like something fast growing, like leylandii, but that then stops.
I’d just go and buy leylandii otherwise.

I’m kind of guessing with 4m, it’s just a feeling.
Probably up to errr 8 would be fine.

I don’t think bamboo would be tall enough, I’ll have a look at that though.

sunshinesupermum, she said like leylandii BUT self limiting. OP like the fast growing, evergreen, bushy screening qualities of leylandii but not the propensity to get out of control.

Fast growing evergreen trees/hedging with a terminal height of around 4m? Hmmm.

Maybe there’s a reason my googling didn’t find anything

Bamboo also has a liking for going wild and popping up all over the garden, even the clumping types (rather than the ‘spreading’ varieties) can be a bit unpredictable and should be planted with root barriers in situ.

Doesn’t planting them in pots (very large ones, obviously) limit their growth?

I’d go for something pleached but that is expensive and they tend to be deciduous varieties (though the pleaching gives a degree of screening year round).

I have mature leylandii in a short section at the end of my garden (about 5m long) and I manage to keep it in check at a height of around 8ft but it does require regular hacking. I have it done professionally once a year and trim them myself a small amount around twice a year, just to keep it neat.

Entirely What does self limiting mean other than to put them in pots? OP didn't mention pots (I wouldn't recommend growing a tree in a pot personally)

OP Bamboo makes for good screening and does grow fast in pots or otherwise but it does need watering (if in pots obv) It all depends on how tall you need the screening to be.

Root barriers, that’s what I was trying to think of. Below ground pot, if you like

You could try planting the trees with root restrictor pots? www.gardenselect.co.uk/rootex.html/

Given that she put ‘not too big’ in her title and then mentioned leylandii which is famous for growing incredibly tall, incredibly quickly, I assumed ‘self-limiting’ meant in terms of terminal height.

I don’t know how people get on so well growing bamboo in pots, I know they do but I’ve never had any success with it. In the ground, brilliant. In pots, useless.

Not a tree, but pyracantha are great for screening.. they are very easy to prune and are beautiful all year round. You can buy quite tall ones for a reasonable price. If you really want a tree, then I suggest you email Barcham Trees. They are very helpful. I made a similar request to them and they supplied me with 15ft Amelanchier which have been perfect. They are not evergreen, but you could alternate them with the pyracantha.

Pyracantha are ‘easy to prune’ if you have full body armour on. Vicious spiky stuff!

Not all of them have vicious spikes. I keep more pruned with sheers to form a wall of berries.

This ceanothus goes up to 6m but it won't get there overnight!

www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/3253/Ceanothus-arboreus-Trewithen-Blue/Details

I was going to say ceanothus too. We have one for a gap in fence Between us and neighbours that grew surprisingly quickly

I have the best tree ever for this! Ligustrum Japonicum. Looks deciduous, beautiful light leaves, not overbearing. Described as either evergreen or semi deciduous, it goes through a period of a few weeks every year where it drops leaves every day but it never looks any different, so still has a full canopy in January. I have one but in a larger garden a group of 3 would be lovely. If you can have them in from the end of the garden their screening impact will be even better as they'll seem bigger iyswim. As they have a lollipop shape they don't take up much garden space v conifers. Highly recommend!

Ceanothus gorgeous but that's more a big shrub than a tree.

You can buy LJ quite tall so instant impact.
Hope this works...
www.google.com/search?q=ligustrum+japonicum&client=ms-android-samsung-gs-rev1&prmd=isnv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiXq6bD0avkAhUytHEKHdqICGgQ_AUIGCgB&biw=360&bih=612#imgrc=MykrO-ur4GgS0M&imgdii=xCo6VyNXHKDAiM

I agree with Ligustrum standards but they are quite rounded so need some space but they are easily pruned.
Another suggestion is the taller Pittosporum cultivars - I have two which have got to around 4m and have slowed down, they have small leaves so are great for screening and much easier to manage than evergreens which shed large waxy leaves.
Barchams trees is a good place to look and they offer helpful advice.