In article , Sacha wrote:
On 2012-02-25 15:52:51 +0000, "AL_n" said:

I wonder if anyone could help me decide on which tree to get for my back
garden. I need something to provide a bit of shade, and give some sense of
shelter, as it's a rather exposed coastal site. The soil is very alkaline
and below the shallow topsoil, is stony clay. The site gets fairly windy,
especially in winter. There is lots of sunshine in Summer. It's in the
South West of England with typically only a few nights of frost each year.

I want a tree that will only grow to about 12ft high absolute maximum, so
that it won't obscure the views from the upstairs window. Ideally the
braches will spread outwards for around 8 feet from the trunk, providing a
canopy of dappled shade on a summer's day, that can be walked under without
much obstruction from the branches.

Then what you're asking for is a tree that doesn't branch until it get
to just over 6' tall and then stops growing at 12'. So it will only
have branches in its upper 6'. Right now I can't think of anything
quite so obliging.

There is always a Tyburn tree, which has those properties and doesn't
grow much after planting, but its fruits are most unattractive.


Regards,
Nick Maclaren.