logo
I've found a fast-growing, cheap tree that blocks out neighbours, doesn't shed its leaves & stays green in the winter

I've found a fast-growing, cheap tree that blocks out neighbours, doesn't shed its leaves & stays green in the winter

The Sun6 days ago
Many of us want to keep our nosy neighbours away from peeping into our gardens.
Beth Mardsen, from the UK, took to social media to share how she did it without building a new fence.
In the clip, she showed off her garden fence which was already tall enough that neighbours sitting in the garden wouldn't be able to see over.
But her garden was clearly visible to her neighbours if they were in the upper level of their house and peering through the windows.
So she decided to take matters into her own hands to stop them seeing in.
In the clip, she said: "Do you want to stop those nosy neighbours looking at you in the garden this summer?"
The homeowner said she had the perfect buy - cherry laurel pleached trees.
She said that these trees were 'the best budget-friendly evergreen trees if you're after low maintenance, year-round privacy and a fast-growing screen.'
Pleached trees have been specially trained to have a clear, smooth stem and a screen of branches.
They are often trained into a rectangular or square shape, and are typically used for creating privacy screens.
She attached the branches to the the trellis above her fence to encourage them to grow through the structure.
'We wanted to create privacy from the loft extensions at the back of us,' Beth explained.
'We planted them with a gap in between each tree.'
to save on money, Beth added more support canes in between the trees to encourage them to grow out wider.
Beth showed what they looked like a year after planting, and you could see they already had dense foliage.
She then showed what they looked like today, with the neighbour's loft completely blocked from view.
Beth added that most councils won't require planning permission for the trees and that's not even the best part.
These trees are evergreen which means they stay full all year round for maximum privacy.
The cost of one tree will set you back around £100 so costs will vary depending on how much fence you want covered.
The clip soon went viral on her TikTok account @ iambethmarsden with over 500k views and people were quick to thank Beth in the comments.
One person wrote: "Anything to block out nosy neighbours I will support."
Another commented: "In the UK there is such a lack of privacy in the garden, this is a great idea."
"Win win for you and neighbours. Privacy for you all, no fence. Nice tree, not overpowering everything. Looks great," penned a third.
Rules on fences and trees
Fences:
Height Restrictions: In most areas, fences in front gardens should not exceed one metre in height without planning permission. For rear gardens, the limit is generally two metres.
Shared Fences: If a fence is shared with a neighbour, both parties are typically responsible for its maintenance and any costs associated with repairs or replacement.
Building Regulations: Ensure that any new fence complies with local building regulations and does not obstruct visibility for drivers or pedestrians.
Trees:
Ownership: Trees located on your property are your responsibility, including any damage they may cause. Conversely, trees on a neighbour's property are their responsibility.
Overhanging Branches: You are entitled to trim branches that overhang into your property, but only up to the boundary line. The cut branches should be offered back to the tree owner.
Protected Trees: Some trees are protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs). Check with your local council before undertaking any work on a tree, as unauthorised work can result in fines.
Roots: If tree roots from a neighbour's tree cause damage to your property, you have the right to remove the roots. However, it is advisable to discuss this with your neighbour first to avoid disputes.
Always consult your local council or a legal adviser for specific regulations and advice.
Meanwhile a fourth said: "Beautiful! Give nature a chance!!"
"This is what I want,' claimed a fifth
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The UK coastal town up in arms over sea rafts removal
The UK coastal town up in arms over sea rafts removal

The Independent

time21 minutes ago

  • The Independent

The UK coastal town up in arms over sea rafts removal

Protesters in Weymouth have demonstrated against the sudden removal of two floating sea rafts from Greenhill Beach, which had been present for over 80 years. Weymouth Town Council removed the rafts due to safety concerns, specifically that they created blind spots for RNLI lifeguards, and because their insurance providers could no longer offer cover. Local residents, including Jade O'Brien who initiated a petition, argue that the rafts are vital for community leisure and encouraging children's water confidence, despite the council's safety claims. Nearly 4,000 people have signed a petition demanding the rafts' return, though the council has denied that the removal was a cost-cutting measure. The council has stated its commitment to working with partners and seeking advice to find a way to safely return the rafts to the sea as soon as possible, while adhering to health and safety obligations.

Sailors mark end to Trafalgar class submarines in Plymouth
Sailors mark end to Trafalgar class submarines in Plymouth

BBC News

timean hour ago

  • BBC News

Sailors mark end to Trafalgar class submarines in Plymouth

The formal act of decommissioning the last operation Trafalgar class submarine has been marked with an event in Royal Navy said HMS Triumph was the last remaining of seven Trafalgar class attack submarines, otherwise known at T-boats. It said for more than four decades the seven submarines were the "forefront of underwater warfare".Crews of the last two T-boats in service, Talent and Triumph, marked the occasion at HMS Drake in Devonport on Friday, with former Trafalgar class crews invited to join them. There was a colour party and guard comprising of submariners from Talent – which still has crew as part of the complex decommissioning process – and were also veterans from the Royal Naval Associations and Royal British Legion on salute was taken by Captain Dave Burrell, who served in a string of T-boats, was Executive Officer of both Talent and Triumph and, as skipper of HMS Trenchant, took her to the North was joined by Triumph's Sponsor, Lady Hamilton, whose husband was Armed Forces Minister when the boat was launched in February 1991. Captain Burrell said he was mesmerised by the T-boats from the moment he first stepped aboard HMS Tireless in 2003. He said: "The boat was a marvel, the people inspiring, and the mission was challenging." The Trafalgar class vessels began to be phased out in 2009 after the first of the seven successor Astute class submarines arrived. Collectively T-boats served for more than 200 years and Triumph completed the longest career of the seven submarines with 34 Burrell concluded his address with a brief eulogy for the class of submarines: "It is time to rest easy Trafalgar, Turbulent, Tireless, Torbay, Trenchant, Talent and Triumph. "It's now someone else's turn."

Tea in the microwave? Why gen Z are giving up on kettles to make a brew
Tea in the microwave? Why gen Z are giving up on kettles to make a brew

The Guardian

timean hour ago

  • The Guardian

Tea in the microwave? Why gen Z are giving up on kettles to make a brew

Name: Kettles. Age: 132. First featured in a catalogue in 1893. Appearance: Increasingly obsolete. I already don't like where this is going. Get with the programme. Apparently young people in Britain are not using kettles to make cups of tea. They're boiling their water in a saucepan? Worse. You don't mean … I do. It pains me to say that they are now microwaving it. Hear that sound? It's King Arthur weeping. Or maybe they're doing it right. Maybe they're sick of making tea in an old, limescale-filled, single-use appliance. But that's traditional! It doesn't matter. A survey of just over 2,000 UK energy bill payers by Uswitch has found that 58% of under-30s have used a microwave to make a cuppa, and one in six say they do it every day. Why? Is it quicker? No. A mug's worth of water takes 48 seconds to boil in a kettle, and almost three minutes in a microwave. So, does it produce a better quality drink? Also, no. Dr Tim Bond from the Tea Advisory Panel says that microwaves heat water unevenly, which leads to uneven tea extraction, which leads to a stewed flavour. Then why microwave water at all? Well, the answer may be twofold. For one thing, student halls are increasingly prohibiting the use of kettles due to steam setting off alarms, so some young people at university are forced to nuke their water in a microwave … What's the other reason? The American influence. The what? Americans typically don't use electric kettles, so they are more likely to microwave their water. Perhaps people who grow up consuming US culture are starting to believe that it's the norm. Wow. First they elected Trump, and now this. It's OK. It just means that owning an electric kettle has become a sign of the resistance. The UK may not be a perfect country but we do at least know how to boil water properly. Yes! And our national rallying cry should be: 'Tea before milk!' Actually, about that … What now? A few years ago a scientist from Leeds University worked out that for many of us, tea actually tastes better if you put milk in before tea. This feels like an affront to everything I hold dear. Don't worry, you can add it to the list of things that Gen Z have berated for – their reluctance to use capital letters, their inability to change a lightbulb and, perhaps most worryingly, their dislike of democratic political systems. This is all making microwaved tea feel quite trivial. Well, quite. Do say: 'I'll put the kettle on …' Don't say: '… put it on eBay, I mean. Now, who's for a cup of refreshing microwaved tea?'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store