On 2 Aug, 20:25, wrote:
Those two trees are acer campestre- field maples and they looked self
seeded to me. If you want evergreen, so that you have privacy in
winter too, you could either plant a holy or holm oak - it's not rapid
growth, but how long do you have and how much can you afford? A friend
in a similar situation as you planted an hazel contorta, its twisted
branches are wonderful in winter and obscure the building across her
garden quite well, it is also interesting in spring with its yellow
catkins. After about 10 years it looks splendid. Finally, and if I was
you, I'd plant a nut tree, either a walnut or chestnut. Your grand
children will enjoy these very much I'm sure.

Thanks Helene, having just done a bit of googling you're right about
acer campestre.

I'm interested in the nut tree idea, and having something productive
in the garden, although the timescale involved is more than we'd like.
Any ideas for fruit trees that would grow into the appropriate
columnar/conical shape and reach the required height at maturity (say
10m)?