Screening Trees – View our re-stocked Holly, Laurel, Ligustrum and Photinia trees for screening!
Screening Trees – View our re-stocked Holly, Laurel, Ligustrum and Photinia trees for screening!
We know that planting a tree can feel like a big project, but we’re here to help! In this guide, we outline the essential tools, materials and techniques required to plant a tree and help it flourish.
Planting hole size depends on soil quality and species requirements. For free-draining soil, dig holes 25% wider than the root ball and backfill with a mix of existing soil and multipurpose compost. In waterlogged soil, dig wider, deeper holes and either improve or entirely replace the soil.
To help your new trees get off to the best possible start, we recommend adding a soil improver, like compost or well-rotted manure, to your backfill. This adds nutrients and keeps the soil nice and light.
You might also like to try these helpful boosters during planting:
Rootgrow: A mycorrhizal fungi that helps roots find extra water and nutrients.
Biofertiliser: Helpful bacteria that support overall plant health.
Afterplant: A gentle feed to encourage beautiful foliage and blooms in their first year.
Tree staking is crucial for successful establishment, as it protects the roots and keeps the tree stable. You have the option to use either single or double staking. We recommend single staking for sheltered areas and double staking for windier locations.
Equipment needed: Spade, measuring tape, post knocker or sledgehammer, fertiliser, staking kit (single or double), compost and mulch.
1. Choose the right location. Decide where the tree will go, keeping in mind its eventual height and spread to ensure it fits your garden in the future.
2. Mark the planting area. If the soil is free-draining mark an area about 25% wider than the root ball to allow roots space to grow.
3. Dig the hole. Dig a planting pit slightly deeper than the root ball (a few centimetres is sufficient). Keep the excavated soil to one side.
4. Prepare the tree. Remove the tree from its container or bag. Place it in the pit and ensure the top of the root ball is just below ground level.
5. Stake the tree. Use a single or double stake for stability. Knock the stakes firmly into the ground. If double staking, attach the crossbar and secure the tree tie.
6. Improve the soil. Mix the excavated soil with compost and optional fertiliser to boost growth.
7. Backfill the hole. Fill the pit with the improved soil, pressing firmly around the root ball to remove air pockets.
8. Heel in the soil. Firm the soil around the roots to ensure good contact.
9. Mulch the tree. Spread a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping it a few centimeters away from the trunk.
10. Water the tree. Water regularly to help the tree settle (e.g., a couple of litres every other day over the growing season). Avoid overwatering, which can be as harmful as underwatering.
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We often find that moisture issues are one of the main causes of stress for newly planted trees. To help your trees stay happy and healthy, we offer a variety of helpful irrigation aids! One of our favorites is the tree watering bag. You might wonder if they’re worth it, and we truly believe they are!
These easy-to-install bags hold 75 litres of water, making them perfect for keeping your trees hydrated while you’re away on holiday. Unlike traditional watering, which can result in surface runoff, these bags allow water to soak deep into the soil to encourage strong, healthy roots. They zip easily around the trunk and can be added anytime, even after planting.
We also stock rootrain irrigation systems! This is an easy to install watering aid which is used to deliver water directly to the roots via a perforated tube which is buried around the rootball during the planting process. Each unit includes a 1.75m pipe, a lower end plug, a top cap to prevent blockages and a plastic bracket to secure the system to a tree stake.
Yes! We offer a variety of planting packs designed to provide the essential tools for planting and irrigating your trees.
Our irrigated tree planting kits include a stake and tie to anchor the roots and keep the tree upright, along with a rootrain system to deliver water directly to the root zone.
We also stock a premium tree planting kit which includes a stake, tie, and rootrain system, as well as a bag of rootgrow and afterplant. These additional components enhance root development and provide essential nourishment throughout the first year.
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A Guide to Leylandii: Is it good for screening?
More homeowners are using AI garden advice tools to analyse garden photos and suggest planting ideas. While artificial intelligence can provide inspiration, it often lacks the practical, UK-specific knowledge required for choosing evergreen screening trees.
If you are investing in long-term garden privacy, expert horticultural advice remains significantly more reliable than automated recommendations.
AI garden advice refers to chatbot or image-based tools that generate landscaping and planting suggestions using artificial intelligence.
Users typically upload a photo or ask questions such as:
The AI then generates suggestions based on patterns from online data.
However, these tools do not:
As a result, recommendations are often general rather than tailored.
AI works from probability, not physical inspection. It cannot see:
Tree selection without site assessment can lead to poor performance or costly removal later.
Ask multiple AI platforms the same question and you may receive different answers.
One tool may suggest Leylandii.
Another may recommend Portuguese Laurel.
A third may suggest Bamboo.
Without context, none of these answers are fully reliable.
Many AI systems rely heavily on global data. However:
Evergreen screening trees must be selected with local climate in mind.
AI does not take responsibility for:
Real experts consider the next 5–20 years — not just immediate aesthetics.
AI can still play a helpful role in:
However, AI should support decision-making — not replace professional advice.
At King & Co, we specialise in evergreen screening trees for garden privacy across the UK. Our recommendations are based on real installations, real soil conditions, and real customer outcomes.
Before recommending a tree, we assess:
AI rarely asks these clarifying questions. Specialists always do.
Depending on the garden, we may suggest:
The correct solution depends entirely on context.
If you experiment with AI garden advice, increase accuracy by using detailed prompts.
Instead of:
“Best privacy tree?”
Ask:
“What evergreen screening tree grows to 4 metres, suits clay soil in southern England, tolerates wind exposure, and requires low maintenance?”
Specific questions improve outputs — but they still do not replace on-site expertise.
| AI Garden Advice | King & Co Tree Experts |
|---|---|
| Instant responses | Tailored recommendations |
| Generalised data | UK-specific experience |
| No site inspection | Practical assessment questions |
| No accountability | Professional responsibility |
| Design inspiration | Long-term privacy solutions |
For serious garden investments, expertise matters.
Privacy trees are structural elements. Unlike bedding plants, they:
Choosing incorrectly can result in:
That is why expert guidance is essential.
AI garden advice can provide general ideas, but it lacks site-specific analysis. It does not assess soil, drainage, or UK microclimates. For structural planting such as evergreen screening trees, expert advice is more reliable.
AI can suggest popular species, but it may not account for British growing conditions or long-term maintenance. Local tree specialists provide more accurate recommendations. Soil types vary even between postcodes.
The main risks include conflicting recommendations, unsuitable plant choices, and lack of accountability. Incorrect tree selection can lead to costly removal or poor privacy results.
AI is useful for inspiration. However, for permanent garden privacy solutions, consulting experienced tree specialists ensures better long-term results.
AI garden advice is innovative and convenient. However, when selecting evergreen screening trees for privacy, practical horticultural expertise provides more accurate and reliable outcomes.
At King & Co, we combine specialist knowledge with real-world experience to help customers choose the right privacy solution — first time.
Before relying solely on algorithms, speak to real tree experts who understand British gardens.
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Elegant and full of seasonal interest, Amelanchier lamarckii is a beautifully balanced tree with bronze spring leaves, starry white flowers, summer berries and fiery autumn colour! Planting Amelanchier lamarkii is a great way to introduce multi-season appeal and wildlife to your garden.
Please note: We do not ship our Amelanchier trees nationwide because we cannot wrap them securely for overnight delivery. This means that they are available for local or dedicated deliveries only, please contact us for more information!
Amelanchier lamarkii has a naturally spreading habit, so we usually supply it in a multi-stem form. Multi-stem Amelanchier are generally smaller and more compact than single-stem trees, as their energy is shared among multiple stems. This growth habit makes them ideal for smaller gardens or compact areas, creating a fuller appearance, providing better coverage, and filling a wider space with seasonal interest. It also increases the number of flowers and keeps them closer to eye level.
We also stock Amelanchier lamarkii in single stem form, these trees focus their energy into a single trunk, allowing them to grow taller and develop a graceful, tree like form. They are ideal as a specimen or for adding vertical and interest structure to a garden!
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Looking to start a productive home orchard with minimal fuss? Our 6 Tree Orchard Fruit Pack includes carefully selected apple, pear, plum and cherry trees, all grown to strong half standard forms for easy management and long term cropping. Perfect for gardens, paddocks or community spaces, this pack offers heritage varieties that establish quickly and deliver reliable, abundant harvests year after year.
Each pack includes:
2 x Apple Trees – selected from Cox, Bramley, Braeburn or Discovery
2 x Pear Trees – selected from Conference or Comice
1 x Plum Tree – Victoria or Czar
1 x Cherry Tree – Early Rivers or Morello
Please note that these plants are available only while stocks last and can only be lifted during their dormancy period, which typically runs until March.
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Bare root plants are carefully lifted straight from the field and supplied without soil around their roots. This soil free, container free approach makes them the most cost-effective option for planting. From November through March, we offer an extensive selection of native hedging plants, and for those looking to make a bigger impact, we also provide a variety of larger, native bare root trees!
Please note that these plants are available only while stocks last and can only be lifted during their dormancy period, which typically runs until March.
1. Common alder (Alnus glutinosa): Bare root 8-10cm girth
A fast growing, medium to large deciduous tree with glossy green leaves, yellow catkins in spring, brown cone-like fruits in autumn. This tree tolerates poorly-drained soils and wetter areas, making it ideal for lakeside and riverside locations.
2. Rowan/Mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia): Bare root 8-10cm girth
Rowan is a fast-growing, medium-sized, deciduous tree with airy green leaves, spring clusters of white flowers, bright red autumn berries. It also has a rounded crown, and it’s ideal for gardens and landscapes.
3. Large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos): Bare root 8-10cm girth
This large, fast-growing, deciduous tree has heart-shaped leaves, creamy-yellow summer flowers and a tolerance for air pollution. This makes it ideal for gardens, parks and woodlands.
Native bare root trees available while stocks last, contact us for more information!
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A Guide to Leylandii: Is it good for screening?
If you’re looking to add year round colour and structure to your garden, Spruce is an excellent choice. Smaller, 7 litre, Picea have periodically been available at our nursery in Essex, with sizes ranging between 50-80cm. This offers an affordable way to plant a focal point specimen, create a striking statement or enhance a winter landscape!
Owing to their habit, some of these trees are only available for local/dedicated deliveries or collection. The tree nursery is open Monday-Friday from 9am – 4pm if you want to visit!
1. ‘Blue Diamond’ has rigid, prickly, silvery-blue needles and a strong, uniform shape. Its neat, upright pyramidal growth makes it an excellent choice for creating a bold focal point in the garden.
2. ‘Edith’ has short, stiff, blue-grey needles and a well-balanced, pyramidal form. It’s a slower growing Picea pungens, perfect for smaller gardens or decorative planting.
3. ‘Fat Albert’ has a naturally symmetrical, dense habit and gets its name from its stout, rounded form. It also has bright blue needles that are stiff, pointed and spiky to the touch.
4. ‘Super Blue Seedling’ develops a classic conical shape. Often selected for its exceptional hue, its vibrant blue colouring is a popular choice for adding bold interest to larger landscapes.
5. Picea glauca ‘Alberta Conica’ is a dense, evergreen dwarf conifer with a naturally neat, cone-shaped form. Its tightly packed needles emerge a bright, almost lime green in spring, gradually deepening in color through the summer.
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A Guide to Leylandii: Is it good for screening?
A multi-stem tree is one that has two or more trunks emerging from, or close to, the base. Known for their sculptural beauty, these trees bring instant character to any garden and add depth, texture and visual drama. Whether you’re seeking striking bark, graceful blossom or year-round interest, multi-stem specimens offer a distinctive blend of elegance and architectural presence. They work perfectly as statement features or as part of layered planting schemes.
At King & Co we stock Amelanchier lamarkii, Himalayan birch and Tibetan cherry in multi-stem form, check them out!
Owing to the habit of these trees, they are only available for local/dedicated deliveries or collection. The tree nursery is open Monday-Friday from 9am – 4pm if you want to visit!
Amelanchier lamarckii. A highly versatile tree with interest in every season. In early spring it produces masses of white, star-shaped flowers. By summer it forms edible berries that attract birds and other wildlife. In autumn, the foliage shifts to bright shades of orange, red, and gold, giving it strong ornamental value. As a multi-stem tree, it adds structure and visual depth to planting schemes.
Himalayan birch. Valued for its bright, papery white bark that brings clarity and light to the garden year-round. In spring it produces fresh green leaves that create a soft, upright canopy through summer. In autumn, the foliage turns warm yellow, adding seasonal colour before the stems take centre stage again in winter. As a multi-stem tree, its peeling white trunks create a strong architectural presence and pair well with grasses, evergreens and naturalistic planting schemes.
Tibetan cherry. Known for its smooth, glossy copper-red bark, which stands out especially in winter. In spring it produces small white flowers, followed by clean, attractive summer foliage. As a multi-stem tree, its striking bark is shown off across several trunks, giving it a strong architectural impact.
A Guide to Screening Trees: Is Photinia Good for Natural Privacy?
Bare Root Planting Tips: How to establish a native hedge on a tight budget
A Guide to Pleached Trees: How effective are Hornbeam at creating privacy?
A Guide to Leylandii: Is it good for screening?
The dormant months have officially started, and that means the bare root season is here! Order your plants now to enjoy…
🌿 Lower purchase and delivery costs
🌱 Easy handling and planting
🌸 Perfect options for large-scale planting projects
🌳 Excellent establishment rates with the right care
5. Hazel (Corylus avellana). Produces catkins in early spring and edible nuts later in the year. Hazel is great for biodiversity, coppicing and woodland edges.
4. Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). Famous for its sharp thorns and white spring blossom, Blackthorn forms a dense, impenetrable hedge and produces sloes in autumn.
3. Dog Rose (Rosa canina). A classic British hedgerow favourite with pink-white flowers, arching stems, and red hips in autumn. Dog rose is ideal for wildlife and natural barriers.
2. Common Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea). Fast-growing with vivid red stems in winter and crimson autumn foliage. Common dogwood is a popular choice for year-round interest and colour.
1. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). The star of British hedgerows! Dense, thorny, and wildlife-rich, with white spring flowers and red autumn berries. It is a top choice for native planting.
When planting 40-60cm or 60-90cm tall bare root plants in a double staggered row, we usually recommend that you plant five plants per metre in a double staggered row. This spacing creates a thick, attractive and wildlife-friendly hedge in no time.
If you are planting the hedge under a grant scheme, like BN11, then you will need to plant at least size plants per metre in order to meet the planting requirements.
A few simple accessories can make all the difference in helping your young plants establish quickly and stay protected. Guards and canes are especially useful for shielding plants from rabbits and deer while supporting upright growth, and they can significantly improve survival and growth rates (especially during the first year).
When planting bare root whips, we recommend the notch planting method. This is a quick and effective way to plant without heavy digging.
Avoid exposing roots to wind or sun before planting, even a short period of drying out can cause damage.
A Guide to Screening Trees: Is Photinia Good for Natural Privacy?
Bare Root Planting Tips: How to establish a native hedge on a tight budget
A Guide to Pleached Trees: How effective are Hornbeam at creating privacy?
A Guide to Leylandii: Is it good for screening?
As the seasons shift, we sometimes hear from customers concerned about yellow leaves appearing on their evergreen plants (like Laurel). The good news is that yellowing leaves aren’t always a sign of trouble. In many cases, they’re simply part of a plant’s normal growth cycle.
If you notice yellow leaves appearing halfway down Laurel branches, or closer to the main stem, there’s usually no need to worry. This pattern indicates that only older leaves are being shed naturally.
However, if the yellowing is concentrated at the branch tips, the area where new growth should appear, it could signal stress, nutrient deficiency or another issue that needs attention.
During autumn, laurel plants may shed some of their older leaves. This natural process helps the plant conserve energy and prepare for the colder months ahead. The yellowing and eventual drop of mature leaves is a normal part of renewal, somewhat similar to how deciduous trees lose their foliage in autumn.
Keep in mind that some deciduous trees also show yellowing leaves at this time, but in their case, the colour change is part of the normal autumn transition before leaf drop. Yellow autumn foliage is especially common in trees like birches.
Even in spring, a few yellow leaves can appear as the plant redirects energy toward new growth and flower production. When new shoots are forming, the plant may sacrifice some of its older foliage to support that burst of fresh energy.
A Guide to Screening Trees: Is Photinia Good for Natural Privacy?
Bare Root Planting Tips: How to establish a native hedge on a tight budget
A Guide to Pleached Trees: How effective are Hornbeam at creating privacy?
You can buy trees, hedging, shrubs and topiary online by browsing our website.
If you do not see a plant or size that is suitable for you then please call as we stock a wide variety of plants in our tree nursery. It’s worth noting that many other websites sell other people’s stock (i.e. they act as an agent) so you cannot view the products at their own site. At King & Co, all of our advertised plants are available for viewing at our tree nursery in Rayne, near Braintree, situated just over an hours drive out of London.
Our knowledgeable and experienced tree nursery staff are always contactable via phone on 01376 340469 or if you have any questions regarding any of our trees or accessories.
If you cannot see what you require on our website, please complete the enquiry form. We will give it our urgent attention and will get back to you shortly with a solution that meets your needs.
If you are looking for specific evergreen trees, Photinia, Leylandii hedging, Leylandii trees, instant hedging or shrubs, use the search bar at the top of the page
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