Natural garden with hedge instead of fence

The lime tree that stood next to our house by the roadside unfortunately had to be cut down two years ago because it was sick. I still think that's a shame, it was a great tree.

In the garden, we have a walnut tree. It is about 15 meters tall. I love it. The neighbors do too: Without this tree, they wouldn't have a shady spot on their property in the summer at all. (The squirrels love the tree too, of course - and last year they annoyed mother-in-law. She had put the nuts to dry in boxes in the greenhouse, and the squirrels happily helped themselves from the boxes instead of gathering their own.)

I would definitely choose a native deciduous tree. There are several species that can support local wildlife. But of course, it takes a long time anyway until you really have a home tree to sit under.

We currently have a very old cherry tree as a "home tree," unfortunately it is located in the side front garden and not in the back where you would sit – and in the back there are various fruit trees, but they hardly provide any shade and you can’t sit under them either. Our neighbors have different firs/conifers, a huge sweet cherry tree, a huge thuja (each as tall as our two-story house)... unfortunately none of them provide us with shade because our house is situated very far to the south. I have been thinking for a long time about what else could be planted there. I am currently leaning towards a linden tree, but I don’t know which one yet. Of course, you have to consider the available space, since most deciduous trees grow very large. Our garden, for example, is large but rather narrow in the back. Not so easy.

In front of the house we have a beautiful apple tree. Nice and tall, well grown - ideal for a little bench underneath. You just have to be careful as soon as the apples get a bit bigger. I've already gotten a few bruises from them Although a walnut can also hurt quite a bit. Cherries are definitely more pleasant in that regard

I have been thinking forever about what else could be planted there.

My husband has grown alders from seeds (planted 3 together in a group). They are now 3 years old and already over 3 meters tall. Simply crazy how fast they grow. I also planted a summer lime, beeches, walnut tree, oak, and cherry tree. None stand a chance against the alders. So if you’re still looking for something where you can expect shade relatively quickly...

Erle is out for me. They need quite a lot of water and also don’t live that long. I also don’t find them very appealing visually. With lindens, I of course also like that they are useful to bees during the flowering period.

Alder is out for me. They need quite a bit of water and don’t live very long.

I used to think the same about water. That was a mistake. You only think that because the trees are among the few that can stand with their feet in water without dying. But it’s not necessary for healthy growth. The trees live around 120 years. How old did you want to get?

I also find them not very attractive visually.

That is of course a reason.

What I also really like about lindens is that they are useful to bees during the flowering season.

Yes, linden is of course one of the most beautiful trees. We had one at the townhouse. I gave it a little flood every week as an extra bonus because I drained my aquariums there. It grew quite well. So if you bury the drip hose right away, the shade will come faster.