Tree to shield us from neighbours

[BandwagonsFull]

I'm looking for some suggestions please as I'm very new to gardening!

I'm looking for a tree which I can plant to give us some privacy from our neighbours. Ideally maximum height of about 7/8ft tall, non-deciduous and can be planted about 3ft away from the house (I'm thinking of tree roots?)

Does anything like this exist? I wondered about some sort of bamboo tree? Or fruit tree? I would be so grateful for any advice! 🙏🏼

You can't plant bamboo in the ground because the roots are crazy.

I've got a row of six bamboos in MASSIVE pots along my fence line and they have been brilliant. They have been there for six years and were relatively cheap and they are tall.

Agree re bamboo in pots. It's fast growing and will give you quick height. We've actually got bamboo in the ground, but it's a clumping variety - even so it is still a bit of a bugger for slow spreading, and you have to keep it in check.
There isn't really a tree that would be suitable so close to your home - trees generally have root spans equal to branch span.
Would a trellis with an evergreen jasmine or ceanothus (prob spelt wrong) be tall enough?

Why don't you put in a trellis or a pergola and grow a climber up it?

Portuguese Laurel?

Thank you all for the responses! I'm glad I asked now!

Are there any other trees which could remain in a pot? Would the Japanese Laurel be ok in a pot?

Trellis could be an option... Bit of an awkward space but maybe it could work from a raised bed.

If you could put a trellis in. A Tracheosperum jasminoides (Star jasmine) would be perfect. They do well in pots, have amazing autumn colour that lasts until the new growth is well established and they have lovely white perfumed flowers.
Otherwise, bamboo in pots is a good, fast growing screening option.

i've put in a large standard bay tree to do a similar job. Bay is fast growing and very tough and can be cut back as much as needed. and the roots won't cause trouble.

Be aware of high hedge law. You are safest with deciduous. https://www.gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes/high-hedges-trees-and-boundaries

What width and shape do you need?

eg. Bamboo is generally a column or vague fountain, a shrub will be more roundy blob shaped, a tree will be on a clear stem with a head - so more like an umbrella shape.

8ft (a shade under 2.5 metres) gives you the option for loads of things. Cotoneaster lacteus, or Mahonia charity are evergreen, vaguely clear-stemmed tree shapes.

Thank you so much everyone! Will look into bay trees too.
@Saz12 I would prefer a tree/umbrella shape really, I will look into your suggestions too, thank you!

You can buy trellis with artificial greenery for instant privacy while your garden develops. You could think about a narrow pergola and plant it up roses and clematis. You can sit under it too. Alternatively a sail awning, privacy and shade. If you plant trees in pots it's going to be a lifetime of keeping them watered.

You can buy trellis with artificial greenery

Which are terrible for the environment due to plastic run off and, in strong winds, the leaves blow off so they basically shed plastic litter everywhere.

Evergreen clematis ’jingle bells’ is good for coverage and is winter flowering.

Buddleja or elder are both pretty good in summer for privacy and can be pruned hard.

Clematis Armandi is evregreen and grows very rapidly, you can almost see it! It will need to be cut back a lot but as it only flowers on new growth that's beneficial. It flowers in winter.

Dont plant bamboo. If it escapes the pots it could cost you thousands to be rid of it.

Have you got any kind of view because we have and someone planting buddleia to block out the neighbours also blocked their view of the sea and caused neighbour issues. Not worth it. We use huge parasols in the summer at an angle.

A bay tree is a good idea . Or even a large camellia then you'd get the flowers . We have a Rowan tree to do the job for us . Obviously only leaves in summer but we're not outside much in the winter. It has the added bonus of flowers for insects and then berries for the birds .

If you want something to plant in the ground, I would suggest photinia red robin. Much easier to control than laurels and has colour interest and can easily be trimmed to correct height

I have a red robin hedgerow, i think its really pretty.

pittisporum grows quickly and comes in various types

Eucalyptus trees are fabulous and you could get a few different types to make a pretty screen

I spend a lot of time litter picking in my seaside town and I've noticed more and more plastic leaves and flowers in town and on the beach.

From day one it's destined to get into the environment or end up in landfill.

Gosh thank you so much everyone for the suggestions! Lots to think about!!

Yes I was going to say Photinia (Red Robin). it makes a nice small evergreen (and reddish) tree in the SE. Only grows to about 4 ft in an exposed spot in my garden in Scotland.

Most evergreen hedging shrubs would do the trick, just give them plenty of room.