In article .com,
wrote:
I am thinking of planting a 6 foot high fedge around the perimeter of
our garden, to act as a wind break. There's already a low (3 or four
feet high) dry stone wall all the way around, behind which I'd like to
insall the fedge. How close to wall can I plant the fedge? - I want to
avoid the possibility of the roots of the fedge eventually causing the
wall to become unstable.
Factors:
a) I am very short of space, and want to get as close to the wall as
possible
b) The soil is not to heavy, not too light, and although we get plenty
rain (west coast of Scotland), it is not water-logged.

If a plant establishes a massive root system, it will eventually
disturb the wall. You therefore need one that does not do so.
The distance will depend on the plant, and can be anything from
adjacent to 10' or more - even in a soil such as you describe.
The standard figures are useless, as minor fluctuations due to
water extraction will not affect a dry stone wall, and the problem
is the growth of large roots.

My guess is that the smaller willows and similar plants would be
fine right up to the wall, but avoid stool-forming ones like Cornus
alba.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.