A tree can provide excellent screening to hide a neighbouring house, garage or anything else you do not want to look at, or to prevent it looking at you! Most of us look for an evergreen tree if we want to hide an eyesore.

The semi-evergreen Cotoneaster ‘Cornubia’ grows quickly with spreading branches carrying narrow, dark green leaves. Clusters of white flowers in spring are followed by large cluster of red berries that will be appreciated by the birds.

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ (above) grown as a standard makes an excellent evergreen screening tree and is perfect for the smaller garden because it can be trimmed to control its size. Trimming simply encourages more red new shoots which enhance its appearance.

Prunus lusitanica, (left) the Portugese laurel can also be grown as a standard tree and it has lovely, dark green, shining foliage with red leaf stalks. It forms a dense and compact head and again can be trimmed to control size and shape.

Even though we cannot rely upon sunshine throughout summer, most of us need somewhere to sit in the shade. Trees with large leaves and spreading branches make good shade trees. Catalpa bignonioides ‘Aurea’ is a striking tree with large, golden-yellow leaves that provide excellent shade without making the garden dark and gloomy. It is suitable for the smaller garden because it can be pruned to restrict its size if necessary.

Many of the Japanese cherries have spreading branches and plenty of foliage. The lovely Prunus ‘Ukon’ deserves wider planting. It has coppery new leaves, soft green-yellow blossoms and excellent autumn colour. It is vase shaped when young and becomes more spreading as it matures.

Birches cast light, dappled shade and move in the wind. The new Betula nigra ‘Summer Cascade’ will grow on damp or dry soil and has the benefit of lovely copper coloured, peeling bark. It has a compact, weeping habit and forms an umbrellashaped head as it matures. This could create an interesting canopy to sit under.

It may seem obvious to choose an evergreen tree, but in fact a deciduous tree can be just as effective. Its branch framework is less solid so it diffuses what is behind it. The most important factor in screening is to get the position right. The screening tree is more effective if it sits between you and what you are trying to screen. If you plant too close to the eyesore you will draw attention to the offending object.

Some trees cope admirably with windy, exposed situations and if carefully positioned can provide welcome shelter for more delicate subjects. Good shelter trees usually have small leaves and flexible branches and they filter the wind rather than presenting a solid barrier.

Crataegus persimilis ‘Prunifolia’ is an exception. It forms a compact and slightly spreading head and has rounded, shining green leaves that look good throughout spring and summer. In autumn the foliage turns to shades of gold, flame and scarlet, the perfect background for large red fruits. It is remarkably wind resistant and tolerates salt laden air.

Many of us love eucalyptus but worry about their ultimate size and indeed most get too big for the average garden. The new variety Eucalyptus gunnii ‘Azura’ is far more compact than the species, branches more extensively, and is hardier into the bargain. It also has the great benefit of retaining its juvenile foliage. The rounded, silver-blue leaves are striking throughout the year. This would make a good subject to provide shelter in a small to medium-sized garden.

You must give your new tree the best possible start in life. Add Hillier Shrub and Tree planting Compost and Vitax Q4 to the planting hole and soil around the tree. Always stake the tree firmly and use a proper tree tie. Remember to check the tie regularly as the tree increases in girth.

You must give your new tree the best possible start in life. Add Hillier Shrub and Tree planting Compost and Vitax Q4 to the planting hole and soil around the tree. Always stake the tree firmly and use a proper tree tie. Remember to check the tie regularly as the tree increases in girth.

Those with small gardens are often the most difficult to convince that a tree is an essential element. However the vertical space is free – use it and you will naturally increase your planting area.

Sorbus are good trees for small gardens; they have light, airy foliage and plenty of interest in the form of flowers, berries and often good autumn colour. Sorbus ‘Autumn Spire’ will fit into any garden with its upright habit, fern-like foliage and orange-yellow berries in autumn. A seedling from the well-known ‘Joseph Rock’ it has superb autumn leaf colour. The berries last well on the tree; only being taken by birds after red berries varieties have been cleared.

Sorbus vilmorinii is even smaller with delicately arching branches and finely divided leaves which turn purple-red in autumn. The small shining berries are a lovely shade of deep pink. This is a wonderful plant to add height to a winter bed of heathers or hellebores.

Many of the flowering crabs are also at their best in autumn when the fruits ripen. None is showier than the wonderful Malus ‘Neville Copeman’ with large, glowing, orange-red fruits.

Sambucus ‘Black Lace’ is an interesting choice grown as a tree. It is exceptionally light and feathery and its purple-black, finely cut leaves are striking throughout spring, summer and autumn.

Hollies are long-term garden plants and exceptionally beautiful small evergreen trees. Both Ilex altaclarensis ‘Golden King’ and Ilex aquifolium ‘Argentea Marginata’ have the benefit of scarlet berries and beautifully variegated foliage for all-year round interest; an important consideration in a small garden.

Andy McIndoe