All gone!

I think this is known as a "planting opportunity"!

(sorry - the windows are in the previous photo)

It can only get better in the New Year . . . :)

So what's the plan now?

Sue, two photos back there's a plan, but it's not very easy to see.

Well, I see you have a beautiful and well maintained patio! So that's a good start.

Yes - exactly Karen - and now I think a couple of Himalayan Birches will do the trick of screening us from the neighbours.

Lovely! I’m still waiting for mine to grow. They are above the hedge at last. Maybe next year they will really take off.

Sheila, yes so you did - I remember now. No, it wasn't very easy to see! Birches there will be lovely. (Hope the roots won't disturb the wall?)

How far from the wall should they be planted, Sue?

I can't tell you for certain,sorry, but there's info on the net about planting distances and someone on here will know. But they tend to be shallow rooted and shallow roots can lift paving stones so I'd imagine they could damage walls. Perhaps a solution might be to put in one of those membranes as you would for a bamboo. But why not put it on Questions to see what others think. Better safe than sorry. Another point - the tree would soon overhang next door's garden and they might object. they do search for moisture too -we had to remove one once because it blocked a drain some distance away. Lots to think about. Needs some thought.

What is that next door Sheila? It looks like a mossy garage roof?

OK Sue, I'll look into it more carefully.

Karen, it is! The houses at the back of us own garages at the side.

Ah..so no actual neighbour on that side then...less need for screening.