Zarch wrote:
[...]
Spakker: These trees have been there for god knows how many years
and
are around 50/60 foot high, so theres no way of getting rid of
them.

I'm contemplating getting some sort of tree expert round though to
give them the once over and maybe "a trim". What sort of price do
you pay for this service?

Thanks again for your time Spider.

I'd think twice before any sort of pruning: it would normally make
matters worse by increasing the density of leafy branches, and very
likely by making the trees look ugly. Most "tree experts" are nothing
of the sort, even if perfectly honest: they need to be selected with
caution.

What you should be able to trust most Yellow Pages lads to do,
however, is to take a couple of the trees out completely before
planting the area. That may give you enough clear sky without
removing what you may come to cherish as a feature most gardens sadly
lack. I'd wait at least till the winter, maybe even next year, to get
a good feel for the site -- you certainly won't be able to put a
fifty-foot tree back!

Spider's suggestions would be lovely. Snowdrops and primroses too, of
course, though it may be a bit too dry for the best results.

--
Mike.