Your patio looks lovely as it is, why change it?

Same with me. Your patio looks great but you could grow Erigeron karvinskianus, Mexican fleabane or Tymes between the slabs to take off the plaineness.

I think it looks lovely too Charnwood,have you thought of adding pots,for seasonal colour instead ? I suppose if you did decide to have a tree,it would need to be shallow rooted,so as not to spread and lift your remaining pavers? Personally,I don't think two would be viable..Sorry to sound so pessimistic..

that is a great patio why not add some pots for colour and or a statue in the centre of the ring, a word of caution if you do remove some and change your mind it will never go back as good.

Many thanks for your advice and yes I do think you're all correct in your thinking, I'll hold off on lifting the slabs

I'm sure you won't regret your latest decision ,Charnwood. Glad to be of some help,from friends on Goy. :o)

I was going to give a caution. If you plant a tree, you will need to remove enough paving to match the width of the future canopy of the tree. That could be the entire patio!