JOHN LAWLOR asked 13 years ago
We are planning to put in an Oak-tree lined driveway. The drive itself is 37m long up hill. The drive is south facing and is fairly exposed to both wind and distant sea spray. Could you please recommend suitable Oak species with appropriate spacing? Is it better to opt for younger trees or semi-mature? i was thinking of then planting carpet roses along the bank? Would these survive? Also, could you recommend suitable plants to disguise the fence on the left (bamboos perhaps?)
1 Answers
Gerry Daly Staff answered 6 years ago
The native oak, Quercus petraea, is reasonably wind resistant. The evvergreen oak, Quercus ilex, is very wind and salt resistant. These need to be 15 to 20 metres apart. Plant as small trees and keep excellent weed control.
Plant the bank with any sort of shrubs but keep space free for the young trees or growth will be very slow.
Bamboo does not like to be exposed. You could try opening the paving to allow three or four standard rowan trees to be planted. WInd resistant, these have a stem that lifts them up over the line of the fencing, thus softening its appearance.
