If you want to stop your yard being overlooked, or to block an unattractive building, you can in fact cultivate your own living green screen by learning how to grow pleached trees.
This horticultural art of training the head of a tree into a square shape has been around for thousands of years, and in 18th century Europe was a popular way to offer shade along walkways in formal landscaped gardens. In contemporary yards, it is an attractive, natural solution to add height to the boundary for privacy without boxing yourself in with tall fences. You can also give a designer look to your landscaping as you zone areas for dining or relaxing.
Pleaching can also be an efficient way to establish a small orchard of fruit trees even if you don't have acres of space in your backyard, as they are planted round its edges. The technique, which is similar to espalier, involves weaving the flexible young branches of a tree so they follow a frame rather than branching out unchecked on all sides – resulting in a geometric canopy atop the stilt of the trunk. We have some expert advice on how you can cultivate a row of pleached trees, from the tools you need to the fruits that you can grow.
