On 14 Oct, 23:23, Sacha wrote:
On 2009-10-14 22:47:32 +0100, Malcolm said:





Chris J Dixon wrote:
Whilst at Grand Designs Live, I heard a talk by James
Alexander-Sinclair, who I have to say was a most engaging and
informative speaker.

He encouraged us not to keep plants simply because they have been
there for a long time, saying that he often finds an overgrown
forsythia in a corner of a garden, boring for most of the year,
and constantly in need of cutting back.

This prompted me to think about replacements for mine. I have
room for a small tree, but wonder what is considered to provide
the greatest amount of year-round interest?

Chris
At the risc of being flamed for hi-jacking this thread, the school
where I work part time has had 3 (soon to be 5) planters installed 1000
x 1000 x 700deep) which I have been told will be planted with 'trees' *
The planters are in a large (tennis court+) internal quad surrounded
with single story buildings with a high pitched roofline. *I know that
there will be major watering problems but I am assured that 'the
children will do that' (& come in during the 6 week summer break?) The
planters have been filled with qua good quality soil/compost mix and
stand on a tarmac base.

I have ideas such as Acer, Mountain ash etc. *Does the panel have any
suggestions?

TIA

Malcolm

Yes, it's a rotten idea, IMO. *They won't get watered properly but will
get 'drowned' every so often and allowed to stand in wet compost or to
dry out entirely in between. *Either a groundsman is going to tend them
properly or the money might as well be thrown away now. *And as for
'trees' being planted in such a way - well, good luck to both the trees
and the tarmac, IMO! *Do the people intending to plant these trees
realise that - as a rough rule of thumb - roots go as deep as a canopy
spreads?

--
Sachawww.hillhousenursery.com
Shrubs & perennials. Tender & exotics.
South Devon- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Can't add anything to that, I can't forsee any other outcome - sorry.
Modern supermarket carpark planting does this, though the 'containers'
are hidden below ground. You get stunted growth, dieback and premature
autumn leaf drop. If you did it to an animal you'd be locked up in
short order.

Rod