Should I replace part of front hedge with fence + tree?

2 years ago

Hi all, I'm hoping for some advice about the front of my house. This is the house:

It's a good size, but there's a lot of tarmac. My style is more 'english cottage garden', so the palms are are going.

I'd really like to take advantage of the size by adding a birch tree for some height and 'nature'-ness. This gap between two drives seems like a good spot. I think I could perhaps hire someone to remove part of the tarmac in the 'triangle' behind the gate so the tree is far enough from the pavement.

Our neighbours have a huge beech directly behind their hedge, but my partner thinks an immature tree right behind a hedge might look odd. The hedge is pretty much dead so it would need replacing one way or another. I'm thinking replacing the hedge with a black fence in the same style as the gate would give the tree light and visual space.

My worry is that the hedge is part of a long run of hedges. Would it be an own-goal to break up the run with a random bit of fence? I'd like to be *increasing* the amount of greenery in my front garden, but removing a hedge seems to be going backwards. Is there some other placement for the tree I should be considering? Or something else entirely I should do first?

Here's another view showing some of the neighbour's (much nicer) hedge:

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Comments (4)

PRO
The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
2 years ago
Hi there,
I would try to keep the hedge as best as I can. Since it is part of a long run of hedges, it might be an established habitat for birds, and I think that we should be really mindfull when doing things like this and only do it if really necessary.
I would try to find somewhere else in your garden (obviously out of the way of the cars rout) to introduce a planting bed and perhaps some small trees or shrubs and herbaceous perennials.
If you would like professional help with that, please have a look at my website. I provide a range of online garden design services (face to face in richmond upon thames) and would love to help you with this project. I could help you with the layout and the plant selection to make sure it matches your garden conditions and thrives.
www.therootedconceptgardendesign.co.uk
Please get in touch if interrsted.
All the best,
Deborah
deborahbiasoli@gmail.com
07548105456
Holly C.
Original Author
2 years ago
That’s a good point about bird habitat, thanks!
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It’s a leylandi hedge that is at the end of its life. The plants only grow at the tips and the inside is old dead wood. It is becoming wider as it appears to already have had a crown reduction so the side tips are currently the active area of growth. You have tried to reduce the width by cutting the sides hard back but the dead Underwood is now visible. This area will not regrow. The hedge does give you a good screening from the other properties around and it will be a big change removing it. However the hedge is not going to improve by further pruning so removing it will inevitably have to be done. You need to decide how much screening you wish to have when it’s gone. A fence would provide some and with layered planting in your front garden you could create a far more attractive screen. Go for it!
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PRO
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2 years ago
Before replacing the hedge with a fence (even though its matching) there might be some obscure planning restriction regarding the fronts of the houses so I'd contact planning/building control and your property deeds.
Holly C.
Original Author
2 years ago
Ooh, I never even thought of that, thanks! I have a copy of the deeds somewhere so I'll have a look.

Should I replace part of front hedge with fence + tree?

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Should I replace part of front hedge with fence + tree?

Comments (4)

The Rooted Concept Garden Designs

Holly C.Original Author

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Lifestyle Kitchens

Holly C.Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Holly C.
Original Author

Holly C.
Original Author