Suggestions to provide privacy

[maldivemoment]

Weve recently had to remove x2 trees from our back garden. They were dangerously unbalanced (is that the right word?). The weight was disproportionately to one side and since removing them, it turns out they were completely dead. Rotten/hollow trunk.

Anyway, this now means our back garden feels a bit like a goldfish bowl. Any recommendations as to what we could plant to create a little more privacy? We currently have a fence & hedge but these are only 7ft tall which means all the neighbours upstairs rooms can view directly into our garden.
We’re looking for something maybe between 10-20ft? No clue where to begin.

Many thanks if you’re able to help.

Are you after evergreen for year round privacy or are you more concerned about the summer so there would be more options?

Rotten, hollow trunk doesn’t necessarily mean dead - indeed, if the tree still had leaves it obviously wasn’t dead. All the food and water transport happens just under the bark, and a hollow cylinder is as strong as a solid one - that’s why scaffolding poles are hollow, same strength, less weight.

i grew up where there was a road lined with old pollarded willows. Every one of them was completely hollow.

www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2023/07/ancient-hollow-trees/

I guess if the trees have been felled but the stump not removed there's a chance it might act as coppicing and regrow as a multi stem if they weren't dead. Which might or might not suit what you want.

It will take a few years for a tree to reach 10-20ft if that’s its final size. There are fast growing trees but their final size tends to be a lot higher. So you’ll probably have to resign yourself to some loss of privacy. You could compromise by putting a pergola over the patio so while you’re sitting under there no-one can see you.

How large is your garden? How near the boundary are you planning to plant the new trees?

OP, I recently had to remove a 60 foot sallow tree (a sort of willow). Like yours, it was hollow. rotting and started to lean.

However the stump is not dead and has produced multiple shoot that are eight feet high, creating a sort of hedge within six months.

You may find yours will do the same if you just leave it. Then cut down to half that height each autumn to keep it manageable.

This website is really helpful with garden privacy. She talks a lot about deciding which bits you want to be private, sight lines, etc. I found it really helpful - and it's an excellent website generally.

I'd probably choose attractive small trees such as crab apple as I'm not so bothered about winter, and while they're growing maybe have something in between that can get a bit of height fast but that could then be removed eg buddleia.

These are all enormously helpful. Thank you.

Not too fussed about summer blooms as we have enough room that I could plant other things in front of the trees. Suppose I’m more concerned about privacy.

Having said that, we don’t want a massive line of leylandi either. In my head I was thinking maybe birch? Thought that might provide some privacy without being overwhelming.

You can buy ready-grown trees for privacy and screening, it's just that they are £££. However, sometimes that is worth it, I suppose. Make sure whatever you get is evergreen, otherwise you'll only have privacy for half of the year!

Birch grows quite fast, especially if you go for a native birch rather than the very white stemmed Betula utilis Jaquemontii

We've got a birch which has got bigger than I'd really like. I wish I'd known to get the Himalayan birch both for size and beauty...though if I had one I'd want a grove of them.

Mine is getting on for 30 years old and trunk a good 8 inches across, still as pure white as ever.