Purely hypothetically, obviously, if you were going to plant a 100m long double avenue of trees in a field leading to a lake, what would you choose?

[mintydixcharrington]

The idea being that the rest of the field would be planted with parkland specimens (oak, atlas cedar, etc)
I have thoughts (Tilia Cordata, Juglans Nigra but would the nuts be a pain) but would be interested in seeing what the gardeners/landscapers in here suggest

We planted a short avenue of oaks about 4 years ago, they are now about 15 feet tall and the trunks are about as thick as a mans wrist. It's coming on nicely and is very exciting!

I also considered a white blossoming horse chestnut and copper beech/maples for the autumn colour - but we already have a lot of acers etc and I thought it might be overkill.

Limes - you won't ever sit under them because of the sap and you have to wade through the leaf debris, it's so prolific.

Blackthorn/false acacia send up shoots everywhere and are the bane of my life. I would like to shoot the idiot that planted them so close to the terraces (which as a result now resemble the East End c1946).

Oak. Beautiful when bare, lovely leaf shape, acorns for the wildlife, and stunning in autumn.
Good all rounder!

Oaks are amazing trees. They grow 2 loads of leaves every year because so many little beasties live on and in them. That would be lovely too.

In fact anything at all!! I want an avenue...

duchess, what size did you plant them? 8/10? and did you bother watering in the first year or just let them get on with it? and are you fanatical about grass/weed growth or just let them get on wtih it?

I think Oak....

ah right.
yes, i agree with oak. so majestic.
mind you, that beech pic chocolateteapot posted looked really nice.
and i still love the walnut idea. our walnut tree has the most lovely leaves. seem v slow growing though - theres a younger one here and tis same size (more or less) as about 4 yrs ago i reckon.

I see that you've discounted horse chestnut as you've got several elsewhere - what about sweet chestnut - avenues of these look fantastic, and you never know, you might even get some chestnuts in time. Beautiful leaves, beautiful trunks in time.

Otherwise, for formal I'd go for beech, oak or lime...

Another vote for beeches here, there are some utter beauties in the park around my parent's house. Are you on limestone, Minty? They always do well on limestone.

Sweet chestnuts also appeal to the greedy pig in me. Walnuts nice too, but take farkin ages to get to any size.

We aren't on limestone, we are about 3 foot of fantastic slightly sandy topsoil over clay. Neutral.

beech is lovely - but I keep hearing that because beech is so shallow rooting it will be the first to suffer with global warming. do you think that is true? makes sense to me. Definitely planting some sweet chestnuts around (inspired by a trip to a local park last month where we filled our pockets with sweet chestnuts and then came home and made the most delicious soup!).
I think i've been persuaded with Oak. Will also plant some walnuts and sweet chestnuts and beech in a nutty sort of grove and see how they do.

Hmmm, yes, I do see what you mean about the shallow rooting. The beeches in the park at home are on very sandy soil and tend to be the first to go down if there's a big blow, too - mind you they are thoroughly ancient.

A little nut grove sounds very nice: maybe you should get a few pigs to whiffle around in it as well .

oh god don't you start, dh is always on about getting pigs
It's not going to happen!

Get some small ones and let the dog eat 'em

he he

I told DH this morning on his return from where-ever-hes-been about your mum's advice to tie the corpse of the deceased bird around the pooch's neck

as predicted he LOVED the idea .."where is the body now? if I was here I'd have done that" and about 10 mins later apropos of nothing "we are DEFINITELY doing that if she does it again" lololol

mind you this is a man whose favourite possession is his Larsen trap, inherited from his dad who was equally obsessed with it and kept a BOOK detailing how many it caught each year

Well, let's hope she doesn't do away with the christmas turkey next.

How sweet - the bond between a man and his larsen trap is a beautiful thing .

So your nutgrove is going to be a bit devoid of any crows, then, Minty?

we are going away for xmas so no turkey thank god
and she isn't coming!

the crows and jackdaws have free rein around here - it is the magpies who get trapped

there are still billions of them though

billions of squirrels as well, who presumeably will be delighted with a nut grove for their delectation

Being cheap very green-fingered, we uprooted several saplings from elsewhere on the estate and planted those. They were all just around 6ft. We did water them during the first two summers but now they're on their own. We haven't lost a single tree yet (trespassing deer had the new orchard trees instead ). We give the ponies occasional access to cut the grass although this summer we did mow a couple of times.

sounds excellent
some fucker naughty animal has taken the heads off 5 of my horsechestnuts

mind you they were about 2 ft tall and unfenced so not surprising really
must buy some protectors and replace them

my friend says redwoods

Oh, lovely thread!

Am I too late to add my 2p?

I'd plant a double avenue. On the outside, oaks, and on the inside, (with bigger intervals between trees) acers (or any other small tree with seasonal interest).

Have you made your decision, MDC?

i was inspired, PPH, by your thread to go out and get 2 different liquidambers, and 2 different largish white flowering cherries to replace casualties of last summers draught which were supposed to line the new(ish) driveway.

nearly got carried away and had (iirc) a red oak, an evergreen oak, about 4 more cherries, some flowering crabs and loads of acers etc on top... but contained the urge. one thing at a time, eh? will get this lot in, then think further.

what did you decide on?

I'm still dithering!
I need to go out and pace around the place and imagine... but I haven't had a second in the last few days. Will do so this weekend.
The double avenue is an interesting idea Welliemum, will add that into my imaginings...

Delighted that you were inspired nappies, they sound wonderful. I've planted Tai Haku and Shirotae flowering cherries (both white) before now, they are lovely

shirotae was one of the cherries. planted it today [proud]

its supposed to be rubbish weather all w/end which is good news i guess for watering in newly planted trees.

am planning a few oaks i think to break up one of the fields. and a hedgerow to line the driveway... dunno what of yet though.

i am so into gardening now! who knew it was this much fun??