Pleached trees

Pleached trees are one of the smartest ways to bring height, structure and privacy into any garden, especially in Surbiton, Kingston and the wider south west London clay belt. They create elegant green panels above a clear trunk, giving you screening without making the space feel boxed in. Whether you want to soften a boundary, block an overlooking window or add architectural shape, pleached trees do the job beautifully.

Why pleached trees work so well in London gardens

Pleached trees are ideal for:

• screening neighbours or overlooking windows
• adding structure to contemporary gardens
• framing dining areas, patios or terraces
• softening fences and boundary lines
• creating rhythm along paths or driveways
• improving privacy without losing light or space

If you are planning a terrace or need to hide an overlooking window in Surbiton or Kingston, Flourish can help you choose the right pleached species and spacing for your garden.

How pleached trees work

A pleached tree is trained onto a rectangular frame so branches grow flat, creating a living screen. Think of it as a hedge on stilts: open underneath, structured above, ideal for modern gardens and tight urban boundaries.

Evergreen pleached trees for year-round privacy

Photinia × fraseri

Description: Bright, glossy evergreen foliage with striking red new growth
Notable cultivars: ‘Red Robin’, ‘Carré Rouge’
Pruning: Late spring and late summer
Notes: Best used where colour contrast is needed; requires regular pruning to maintain density

Quercus ilex (Holm oak)

Description: Elegant, long-lived evergreen tree; highly pollution tolerant
Notable cultivars: Species, ‘Ballota’, ‘Rotundifolia’
Pruning: Mid to late summer
Notes: Well suited to urban and coastal environments

Ilex aquifolium (Holly)

Description: Dense evergreen foliage with ornamental berries
Notable cultivars: ‘J. C. van Tol’, ‘Alaska’, ‘Argentea Marginata’
Pruning: Early summer or late winter
Notes: Many cultivars are self-fertile; good for formal or informal screening

Prunus laurocerasus (Cherry laurel)

Description: Fast-growing, reliable evergreen screening tree
Notable cultivars: ‘Novita’, ‘Rotundifolia’, ‘Caucasica’, ‘Genolia’
Pruning: Late spring and late summer
Notes: Choose lighter or narrower cultivars to avoid excessive bulk

Magnolia grandiflora

Description: Large, glossy evergreen leaves with creamy white flowers
Notable cultivars: ‘Gallisoniensis’, ‘Little Gem’, ‘Goliath’
Pruning: After flowering
Notes: Requires shelter; best in warmer or protected sites

Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat)

Description: Bold, exotic evergreen foliage
Notable cultivars: Species
Pruning: Early summer
Notes: Suitable for sheltered gardens; flowers and fruits in mild climates

Deciduous Pleached Trees for Seasonal Interest

Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam)

Description: One of the most reliable deciduous pleached trees
Notable cultivars: Species
Pruning: June and early September
Notes: Retains dead leaves through winter, providing privacy

Fagus sylvatica (Beech)

Description: Rich foliage colour with good winter leaf retention
Notable cultivars: Green forms, ‘Purpurea’
Pruning: Late summer
Notes: Best on free-draining soils

Tilia × europaea / Tilia cordata (Lime)

Description: Fast-growing and strongly architectural
Notable cultivars: ‘Pallida’, T. cordata
Pruning: Mid-summer
Notes: Excellent for formal avenues and large-scale pleaching

Pyrus calleryana (Ornamental pear)

Description: Spring blossom, tidy form, and strong leaf retention
Notable cultivars: ‘Chanticleer’, ‘Capital’
Pruning: Late summer
Notes: Good choice where neat structure is required

Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweet gum)

Description: Outstanding autumn colour
Notable cultivars: ‘Worplesdon’
Pruning: Mid to late summer
Notes: Requires acidic or neutral soils for best colour

Malus (Crab apple)

Description: Abundant blossom followed by decorative fruit
Notable cultivars: ‘Evereste’, ‘Floribunda’
Pruning: Late summer
Notes: Excellent for seasonal interest and wildlife value

Sizes, frames and spacing explained

Girth: 8–10 cm, 10–12 cm, 12–14 cm, 14–16 cm
Clear stem height: 1.8 m, 2.0 m, 2.2 m
Frame sizes: 1.2 × 1.2 m to 2.0 × 2.0 m

Freshly vs fully pleached

Freshly pleached: younger, more affordable, fill out in one to two seasons.
Fully pleached: dense, instant screening.

Pot-grown vs rootballed

Pot-grown: plant year-round.
Rootballed: November to April.

Cost guide for pleached trees (what to expect)

Pleached trees vary in cost depending on species, size, frame dimensions, level of training and access to your garden. These price bands help with early budgeting.

Tree supply prices

• Freshly pleached
  £170 to £280 per tree
  Younger, thinner but great for patient gardens.
• Fully pleached
  £280 to £450 per tree
  Dense, instant, two to three years trained.
• Premium specimens
  £450 to £850+ per tree
  Includes Magnolia grandiflora, larger holm oak frames and specialist evergreens.
  Prices are supply-only. Planting and ground preparation are separate.
• Planting and installation costs
  Professional planting ensures perfect alignment, correct mound height on clay soils and strong staking.

Planting and labour:
£120 to £250 per tree
(depends on tree size, soil, access and number of trees)

Additional factors:

• clay soil improvement
• mound planting
• irrigation lines
• removal of old shrubs
• drainage installation
• limited access requiring more labour

Why we do not offer fixed online pricing?

Pleached tree projects vary widely. Costs depend on:

• species and frame size
• whether the tree is freshly or fully pleached
• access (side passage, steps, terraced gardens)
• garden length and number of trees
• soil type, clay conditions and drainage needs
• planter versus in-ground planting

These differences can shift costs significantly, so tailored quotes are essential.

A quick call allows us to give you an accurate estimate once we know:

• preferred species
• frame size
• boundary length
• access details
• postcode (for soil type and delivery)

You can also send us a photo of your boundary for fast guidance.

Species sorted by clay soil tolerance

London Clay dominates south west London and Surrey, so species selection matters.

Common problems and how to fix them

• aphids and honeydew
• wind rock and loose stakes
• drought stress and leaf scorch
• patchy panels from infrequent pruning
• yellowing leaves from overwatering

Correct watering, solid staking and regular pruning solve most issues.

Common pests and diseases of pleached trees

• Photinia: leaf spot, scale, aphids
• Holm oak: leaf miner, scale
• Holly: leaf miner, aphids
• Laurel: shot hole, vine weevil, mildew
• Magnolia: scale, sooty mould
• Loquat: fireblight, scorch
• Hornbeam: aphids, mildew
• Beech: woolly aphid, root rot
• Lime: aphids, honeydew
• Pear: fireblight, rust
• Sweet gum: leaf spot
• Crab apple: scab, mildew

Most issues respond well to horticultural soap, improved airflow, steady watering and correct pruning.

Local soil conditions in south west London and Surrey

• London Clay: Kingston, Richmond, Surbiton, Wimbledon
• Bagshot Sands: Esher, Cobham, Oxshott
• Thames alluvium: river corridor gardens

We match species to your exact soil, microclimate and drainage to ensure long-term success.

How Flourish helps

We design and install pleached trees across Surrey and south west London, handling every detail from soil assessment to aftercare.

Our service includes:

• site assessment and soil testing
• species advice for privacy and structure
• sourcing high-quality nursery stock
• soil improvement and drainage installation
• precise planting and staking
• watering and aftercare guidance

Let’s create your perfect garden

If you’re looking for that extra privacy, or you just want plants that can enhance the borders of your garden for that extra flair, Flourish Landscaping can install these pretty trees with years of expert experience. Contact us today to help in curating a garden of beauty

Contact us today to arrange a consultation and start transforming your garden into the perfect outdoor space for you and your family.