Suitable trees for shade?

Pollyfilla

Pollyfilla

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Sorry if this is in the wrong folder, I couldn’t decide where to post! 🙂 My friend and I rent a few acres, and have slowly improved it from an overgrown mess, to a lovely fenced private “yard”.

Our dilemma is that the paddocks on the better grazing have no natural shade or shelter. I suggested planting a few trees but have no idea what to go for. I’d prefer native trees as they will fair better, but some are very slow growing.

Any suggestions and advice appreciated.
 

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If no natural shade or shelter I’d put something up if it’s needed. Trees will take a while to grow so defo plant some but will
Probably need something to do until they are mature. Chestnuts spread do they not? Also beech??
 
Agree on talking to the local tree nursery to see what they think.

But personally I'd probably go for goat willow. It grows quickly, is hardy, non toxic to horses, though the horses do eat it a bit, so you would have to protect the juvenile trees from them
 
Trees would be lovely but is long term solution and you will need to protect them from being eaten/chewed as they grow. Not sure if local tree nursery will be clued up on what is and isn't poisonous for horses so I wouldn't rely on them for that. What about a hawthorn or holly hedge? That would be relatively fast growing. Agree field shelter more practical, or even just panel fencing of some sort (in that often they don't actually stand in shelters anyway, but prefer outside, out of the weather).
 
I agree with willow or rowan, or even birch.

Also with the suggestion to put some panel fencing as a temporary measure for a few years for shelter while trees get established...

Fiona
 
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Mine used to love to shelter under the horse chestnut and eat the willow- but these are very established trees- so huge canopy! I always thought Rowan was poisonous to horses and holly - although had holly in the paddock and never saw horse attempt to eat it.
 
As an inexpensive, quick grower try : Jerusalem artichoke.
I know it's not a tree but it will grow to a max height of 10 feet, you can feed it to the horses if you want, it flowers and it can withstand severe winters.
My neighbour planted some this spring and it is already 6 foot in height and a good windbreak in the part of her garden where traditional hedging has failed.
Wiki has more details.
 
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We have an incredible horse chestnut tree in one of our summer paddocks - gives incredible shade! Goodness knows how long one would take to grow to that size though! It's going to be my warm weather paddock as the other summer paddock isn't as good for shade, though has lots of hedges round the outside.
 
Alder saplings are cheap and easy to grow. I have a lot of hawthorn and blackthorn hedging but it’s the devil to keep tidy and you get scraped and scared.
Alder has no thorns,you can grow it as a tree or a hedge, it’s easy to keep in shape.
I have a self set hedge which has a lot of bramble, but it still acts as a windbreak.
If you string up some rope the birds sit and poop there and in no time you will end up with native seedlings growing, rose, hawthorn, you might even get wild plum.
What ever you decide you will have to keep them off it. I tried to make a copse and forgot to electrify the fence, even though they had plenty of grass they pulled them up by the roots and ate everything.
 
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Evie91 said:
Mine used to love to shelter under the horse chestnut and eat the willow- but these are very established trees- so huge canopy! I always thought Rowan was poisonous to horses and holly - although had holly in the paddock and never saw horse attempt to eat it.
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Rowan isn't poisonous to horses, but horse chestnuts are!
 
another thought. the woodland trust are giving up to !00% grants for tree and hedgerow planting. well worth an enquiry I should think.
 
Aren't black walnut trees poisonous? There's certainly thought to be a link between black walnut shavings used for bedding and laminitis

Elder is good for keeping flies away but doesn't grow very tall
 
cauda equina said:
Aren't black walnut trees poisonous? There's certainly thought to be a link between black walnut shavings used for bedding and laminitis

Elder is good for keeping flies away but doesn't grow very tall
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I was given one as a present from a horsey landowner friend on the basis that it would keep the flies away from the horses! Better check - thanks.
 
rabatsa said:
Any tree will need fencing off from the horses. How long is your lease? You may not get to see the benefits of a tree. I would go with growing a hawthorn hedge.
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Hawthorn hedging is not particularly fast growing, any of the trees mentioned above will grow enough to give shade long before hawthorn does. Dog-rose hedging grows well in some situations and we have some elder bushes that grow pretty well.

ETA we have some elders that are over 10 ft tall.
 
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