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Tree for patio near house

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  • 09-08-2021 6:44pm
    #1
    cuculainn
    Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    We have a patio area close to our house and usually have a table and umbrella there. I got an idea of taking up one of the paving stones and planting a tree that would function in place of the umbrella.

    My question is what would be the best tree to form a umbrella type canopy, be attractive, but that would not cause any damage to house/foundations etc.

    Tree would be about 2 metres from the house.

    Thanks in advance



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    #2
    looksee
    Registered Users Posts: 28,429 ✭✭✭✭looksee


    I think that 2 m from the house is too close for a tree that will get big enough to provide shade like an umbrella, and while a spreading tree can eventually create that kind of shade there will be a lot of tree above it. Anything that has a compact canopy is not likely to have a tall enough trunk to sit under. And having said all that, it would take a good few years to get to the stage where you could sit under it.

    So all in all, I don't think you are going to be able to achieve what you are looking for. I have a lovely mature magnolia tree that is perfect for sitting under, the leaves provide dappled shade and it is remarkably bug-free. Many trees seem to gather midges under them. However it has probably been growing for 15 to 20 years and it would certainly not sit 2 m from a house without causing issues of light etc.

    What you might consider is putting up some sort of simple wooden structure and growing a vigorous climber over it, honeysuckle, climbing rose, something like that.



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    #3
    cuculainn
    Registered Users Posts: 810 ✭✭✭cuculainn


    Thanks for the advice looksee.

    I guess I was asking here was for that very reason, as I sorta had doubts about the distance etc.

    I double checked the distance there, and it is actually 3 metres to the centre.


    We are putting bup a pergula in another area where we plan to put some plants growing up that alright.


    We have an Amelanchier Lamarckii that was gown as a standard and has the height but the actual leafy part of the tree is small and has never really branched out much.....I thought something like that may suit, but maybe I should just stick with the umbrella!



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