Can you recommend a fast-growing evergreen tree?

[ParkerKnoll]

I’d like to plant some trees at the bottom of my garden to replace some that have been cut down in the field behind me (they were rotten). I’m trying to reduce some industrial estate lighting that shines my way at night, so I’m after evergreens that will grow reasonably quickly to fill the gaps....although not Leylandii as these will be too tricky to control!
The soil is reasonably wet but does drain, gets evening sun, and the new trees will need to be happy close to some existing pines. I’m after trees with a bare trunk, so that the main tree body sits above the fence line. Preferably UK native, but not essential! I’ve looked at holly, Holm oak and bay, but these seem pretty slow growing. My budget would be about £250 maximum per tree, and I’ll buy as large as I can within that price! Any ideas from any more experienced gardeners?!
I’ve been googling but can’t seem to find the perfect fit!

The problem is in finding an evergreen that is fast growing but then stops when you want it to. You can't beat leylandii for fast growing.

If you want a bare trunk, you're probably not looking at a conifer, certainly not a cypress types conifer.

Holly is slow to start, but not too bad after the first few years.

Bay isn't native, and is expensive to buy at any size. But mine was outgrowing the cypresses each side of it.

Cherry laurel is quite fast and grows in the shade, but it's not enormously tall, and not single trunked. Pretty flowers and fruit (yes I know they're poisonous).

In the first instance I would Contact Barcham Trees. They have an amazing website and are exceptionally helpful if you email them. If they are too expensive but you like their recommendations, then Deepdale, Majestic or Chew Valley are all good suppliers.

Thanks both, I’ve had a look at Barcham (you’re right, it’s pricey!!) but there’s some great filters on the website and I’ve found a few interesting things.
Portuguese laurel looks like a good option and not too expensive.

Have you looked at pleached trees? I have a laurel that I've pleached myself over time.

Ready pleached ones might come in within budge. Echo suggestion by pp to speak to the experts

Could you extend the height of the fence in the meantime by adding trellis? It would break up the light a bit until your trees get going.

I have red robin in my garden which seems to grow quite quickly. I can't remember if it's hawthorn or hornbeam that often gets a mention on here for evergreen screening.

Neither hawthorn not hornbeam are evergreen. Denseness of twigs, at least with hawthorn, helps with screening in the winter, but that wouldn't be sufficient to block light.

Are they street lights, or floodlights attached to the industrial units which are causing the problem?

It might be worth approaching either the businesses concerned or the council to see if they can change the angle, or fit covers on the lights so they don't shine outwards towards you, but just downwards. If you mention the words 'light pollution' it could help your case. If any of your neighbours are similarly affected you could club together with a request.

Hopefully that would help a lot and wouldn't cost you anything.

@followingonfromthat I’ve thought about that - they’re a mixture of the two but they’ve increased in number over the last year so it’s a lot more problematic now, I think council contact is definitely a good idea. I do miss the lovely trees though, so still fancy filling the gap with something!

@GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat I have looked at pleached trees already (no idea such a thing existed before this tree hunt!!) but I’ve found them quite pricey and a bit too sparse to block out much at the beginning..... I love the look of the red robin trees though, price wise they’re pretty reasonable online so I could get a decent size.

Has anyone got any experience of planting established trees (ie 3m tall) and could share any success tips?!

I’ve also been recommended Sitka Spruce by a tree surgeon, apparently the woodland trust uses them for forestation - they’re not super attractive though!

While you are on to the council. perhaps you could ask them whether they would be able to plant screening trees there.

I planted two21 feet Amelanchier trees about 30 months ago. You need to make your hole just a bit bigger then the root ball. You will also need two stakes and ties for each tree. Put the stake either side away from the root ball.use proper adjustable tree ties . There should be some leeway so that the tree can move in the wind but not so,loose that the tree rocks.

Use compost that is suitable fo the tree. The stakes and compost will ensure your don’t waste money by losing the tree. Water well in the first season and try to avoid planting the tree in summer. The stakes should stay in place for two years.

Also, if you are planting for screening , don’t plant in a straight line. Stagger the trees in a zig zag shape so you need less of them. This will also lead to healthier trees.

This is the first year

The only ever green native I can think of is holly. Silver birch is relatively fast growing, native but not very dense.

I went for amelanchier, crab apple, cherry and Norwegian maple in my tree hunt. All relatively small, as I couldn’t afford lovely mature ones.

Both my, fairly established, red robins recently dropped dead for no apparent reason.

@FLOrenze Your garden is so beautiful it warms my soul

Whoops - point of me posting is was to share this link which I have spent many happy hours fantasy shopping for beautiful mature trees:
[[https://www.ashridgetrees.co.uk
www.ashridgetrees.co.uk]]

The only ever green native I can think of is holly. Holly, Scots pine, juniper, yew. I think that's all.

Thanks all, some good ideas! @FLOrenze your garden is beautiful! I bet it’s gorgeous to sit out in!

@SexNamesRFab sorry to hear you lost your red robins, I guess no matter what I choose I can’t account for nature, there’s no guarantee is there!! Fantasy tree shopping is ace - cherry blossoms are my main fantasy tree purchase 😂

I’ve had an arborist round to sort out a rotten tree that we have and he recommended eucalyptus (totally not native but I’m desperate!) and I’ve always loved these and never considered them before, not too pricey either.
It’s so hard to choose, but I think I need to get whatever I go for in the ground soon, to give them a good chance of settling in for spring/summer.

Eucalyptus is fast growing but can become enormous. Easy to cut down though. Silver birch are pretty and grow easily.

Thank you. It is a small garden 15 ft by 20 but I have a lot of trees in there which are all doing well, with no maintenance. They are
4 Amelanchier
4 Silver Birch
2 Cottoneaster
6 pyracantha
2 Robinia Frisa
Plus lots of Acers.

I am getting too old to maintain it now so had it redone to this low maintenance 3 years ago. It is bliss just to look at it without any work.