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Gardening

Find tips and tricks to make your garden or allotment flourish on our Gardening forum.

Tree ideas please for short garden

7 replies

cleo333 · 23/01/2026 20:36

Hi I need tree ideas for a short garden to block out the view , any ideas ?

OP posts:
TeeBee · 23/01/2026 20:58

I’m going for Sorbus Autumn Spire. Beautiful colour, berries for the birds (or jam), compact roots, colour all year round.

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 23/01/2026 21:06

I've planted a cercis 'Forest Pansy'. Only been in since October so can't report yet, but very excited to see how it grows in its first year. 🌳
www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/products/cercis-canadensis-forest-pansy-tree?srsltid=AfmBOopuhji02tbDD2K5JRyAbemZr6SLDkP95_i-TzogQHyIDi5rAEQh

vipersnest1 · 23/01/2026 21:06

In my last garden I had a flowering almond that was a standard so it would have been ideal - it also flowered three times a year.

HostaCentral · 23/01/2026 21:07

Crab apples are great. Blossom, Autumn leaves, and fruit. They grow quite quickly, but never get too big.

PurpleCyclamen · 23/01/2026 21:11

Amelanchier or June Berry. You can’t beat them in my option. Early blossom, covered in edible fruits that both humans and birds can eat (birds go mad for them), great autumn colour and they cast a lovely dappled shade. They won’t grow too big.
I’ve got mistletoe growing in mine - I bought some mistletoe, made a little nick in the bark and squidged in a berry. 2 years later mistletoe started to grow.

https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/best-amelanchier-trees/

Amelanchier lamarckii in flower

Best amelanchier trees

We list our favourite amelanchier trees to grow, and show you how to grow them.

https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/best-amelanchier-trees/

parietal · 23/01/2026 21:22

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 23/01/2026 21:06

I've planted a cercis 'Forest Pansy'. Only been in since October so can't report yet, but very excited to see how it grows in its first year. 🌳
www.ornamental-trees.co.uk/products/cercis-canadensis-forest-pansy-tree?srsltid=AfmBOopuhji02tbDD2K5JRyAbemZr6SLDkP95_i-TzogQHyIDi5rAEQh

Our garden has a marvellous 20 yr old Cerci’s Forest pansy (planted by previous owners) and it looks great every year. I’m sure yours will too.

Plot30B · 23/01/2026 22:23

What height are you aiming for and are you looking for something that needs regular pruning, such as a fruit tree, or do you want something that just grows?

Also, do you need a tree that grows quickly and will be pruned to keep it small, or a tree that grows slowly to a 'small' mature height? For example, a 'small' variety of amelanchier grows to around 4m, but takes 10-20 years to get there, but a rowan, silver birch, maple etc will reach that height in 3-5 years, so will provide quick-ish screening, then can be kept small by pruning. Fruit trees on rootstocks can be many sizes according to the particular rootstock they're on, so there is a wealth of choices!

I love crab apples for year round interest, especially something compact like a weeping one or 'scarlett' (both 3m mature height), but in your position I'd have a good look at small trees on something like the RHS site, narrow down the ones you like the look of and take note of growth speed, best aspect, hardiness, pruning needs, etc, before choosing. Enjoy! Choosing and planting a tree is great fun!

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