Lincolnshire, United Kingdom

Thank you for your kind reply with advice. I have just been out to check on my 5 this morning . The 2 that are thriving continue to put out more leaves each day. I'm very lucky in that my neighbours have amassed a few tons of manure over 10 years . Being in a very Sandy area most of the neighbours do not attempt to garden rather leave to lawn so I have given growing a go with this 10 year old manure which is a beautiful deep colour. To stop the apical dominance and allow side shoots to develop I cut the tip of what will be the main trunk with secateurs which also have me the chance to check for green. Here in Lincolnshire the devastation of last year's drought leaves me always aware of lack of water. Without the manure I'm fully aware that I would have lost everything grown in the front in relative shade. The idea now is to try and cultivate the sun baked rear garden hence all the digging out of sand and replacing with something resembling a growing media. The beech are a trial really to create a wind break of sorts plus that beautiful backdrop colour. I'm putting in staggered Hedges to slow the wind down. I may move them next year to a shade area as you say. I just thought the atropurpurea required sun to keep its appearance. Thank you. Kind regards

• 22 Jun, 2023