Unknown Trees... Dry Stone Wall... Can I grow a Beech hedge?

[slippy]

I hope some of you in this vibrant community can help!

 

At the front of our property we have four rather large trees, probably 40ft in height. They have been cleared of ivy (see photos for evidence of ivy root on the floor by the bus stop).

 

We are now a little exposed to traffic and we want to add some privacy/security. The two options being discussed are:

 

1. Build up the dry stone wall an additional 2-4ft and grass around the trees to the wall. Requires local planning consent. And a Wonga loan.

 

2. Repair the wall, but plat a beech hedge between the trees. Risk here is that the hedge doesn't grow because of lack of moisture/tree roots etc.

 

Here are some photos illustrating the immediate area, and shots of the trees as best I could:

 

https://goo.gl/photos/4Qthf1rprKTkGDUa6

 

I am reaching out for help to get answers to the following questions:

 

1. What are those trees? What is the root structure? Wide and flat or narrow and deep?

2. Can I reasonably expect Beech to grow between the trees? If so what advice would you have in planting them (dig a trench or just dig holes). I can buy 1.25m high pots by the palette.

 

If you have any other advice, please just let me know. Don't be diplomatic - just tell me how it is! I want to make the right decision and so far I've had differing views from locals and I am confused!

 

Many thanks in advance.

[se7enthdevil]

can't answer the other questions but i can tell you that they are scots pine trees.

[Mick Dempsey]

I've looked and looked at the pics, they don't look like Scots to me, Maritime maybe.

 

If I'm wrong fair enough.

[slippy]

Thanks guys - so it could be a Scotts Pine or Maritime Pine?

 

I will check this out further online (Google Images) but I would appreciate more views from people!

 

Many thanks to you both.

[Mick Dempsey]

Anyway beech hedge, depends on soil type, they prefer an alkali soil (chalky South Downs for example) if you've an acidic soil Hornbeam will be a good alternative.

[se7enthdevil]

i think i was confusing the red tint on the upper part of the tree made by the fact it seems to have been taken at sunset for the red bark on scotts pine.

[Woodcrafter]

I'd personally repair the wall and instead of a beech hedge I'd plant some laurel, you can see that it grows in the soil conditions it's also evergreen and grows quickly and in time if regularly clipped form a nice tight hedge.

[Paul Cleaver]

planting a hedge will push out the wall further in the future so I would repair the wall instead.

 

root depth of trees is mostly dependant on soil type

[fagus]

Extending the wall would be good but big bucks. Planting any hedge roots close to the wall will eventually damage it. How about a larch lap fence addition just above the height of the wall ie 60mm,or more, on long posts.

[Eddy_t]

Maritime or lodgepole pine, not scots. One of them looks a bit ropey. Yes, you can plant a beech hedge, it will grow fine.