Quickest Growing Conifers

[C-C]

To camouflage a 9ft railing fence, which is the fasting growing Conifer?

[CSG2306]

Hi,

In a direct answer to your question the answer is Leylandii. BUT the law now states that if two or more plants are planted together they constitute a hedge that must not be more than two metres high.

Before planting, have a word with your neighbours and inform them of your intentions, it might save later arguments.

Regards

[C-C]

Thanks. It's actually a rear fence which backs onto spare 'no mans land' but I'll review this when they actually reach over 6 feet. Any idea of what rate of growth I can expect?

[Thunderbird+]

As young trees they can easily put on 3ft or more a year.
You should be able to maintain them at 9ft as long as you keep them pruned when required but dont allow them to get too big. Good Luck Tbird+

[buildersmate]

I'm not so sure the law does say they can't be more than 2 metres high. What there is are High Hedges legislation that enables neighbours who have high hedges imposed on them around their plot to force them to be trimmed - but its not as simple as all hedges have to be 2m max.

[WendyS]

You might like to think of planting ivy as an alternative. There are so many decorative types, including varieties with yellow and green leaves which are so much more attractive than conifers, and they also grow very quickly.

If you plant conifers you will be for ever having to prune them back and they take a great deal of goodness out of the soil.

[cy marven]

I think climbers seem a less extreme choive. You could use sycamore if not it is quite fast growing and will not reach the same insane heights. Consider once you have your height do you really want to clime 9ft to trim twice a year? Another tree you may consider is Eucalyptus an evergreen. Cy Marven

[skylight]

Hi CC, Alternative suggestions for a more decorative hedge also fast growing - Rosa Rugosa very hardy, scented flowers and large red hips, needs cut once a year, not evergreen. Pyracantha (Firethorn) very hardy - needs very little attention, small white/pink flowers and either yellow, orange or red berries in winter, evergreen. Cotoneaster Horizonatlis - As its name implies it will grow flat up against fence, small flowers and red berries in winter. You can also get a varigated type. Evergreen and very hardy. Dose not need much attention except to cut any stray branches that are not to your liking. If you type the names into google and click on images you should get some pics. Hope this gives you something else to think about. cheers Skylight

[curiosity]

Dont plant a conifer, unless you keep on top of it you lose 6 feet in depth space. A Russian vine will cover anything quickly.

[jake-the-peg]

The exact situation of the hedges legislation is:


a) it must be a hedge (2 or more trees with overlapping branches)

b) It must be over 2 metres high

c) it must interfere with somebody's "reasonable enjoyment of their property."

All 3 must be true for it to be coverred. Somebody can refer a hedge to the council who will come and inspect it (usually for a fee, sometimes refundable if they agree)

If the council agree that all three apply they can require it to be removed.

So it rather depends on the situation - if it's in a garden and the gardens are not all that large, I'd probably advise against planting green concrete (leylandii)

[kwicky]

I can vouch for curiositys answer. We had Russian Vine in our rear garden. The rate of growtth is similar to bindweed and we had to cut it back every few weeks, The weight of the growth actually brought our timber fence panels down so it needs some sturdy support but id does provide some decent cover. It takes some doing if you ever want to remove it in future though.

[C-C]

Thanks for answers and some fab suggestions. We've decided to buy an evergreen ivy and the Firehorn.