I am not a gardener but I do try now and again, we have a large garden and would like to have a ssilver birch tree, would I be able to get one from a normal garden center or would there be special tree growers that would supply, I know if sounds strange but I have never bought a tree before.

You can get them from near enough anywhere, BUT you really shouldnt have then as close to the house as I have seen them as the DO undermine your foundations. Safe bet is 20' away from the house. Amd you will be ok. They DO grow incredibly large and if you think ofr a tree. The height is the same as the roots. So if you lay the un pruned tree down the roots will be the same length. You can see how your tree can undermine your foundations easily!!!
HTH
Lea :)

I want it to go down the garden near the back fence this is about 200 yards from any buildings so it should be OK I think that they look great with the silver shimmering in the breeze. So I will have a go at ringing round the garden centers tomorrow  Thanks

They are also very bad for hayfever if you are a sufferer ! :)

I would go for a willow tree (not sure if they have pollen that affects hayfever) I think they are beautiful trees and remember back to my childhood the willow tree in our garden and the hours of fun we had making dens under it :)

Lucy
xx

I understood that willow trees were one of the worst trees to have near a house as they require so much water (which is why they are often found on river banks)

Pretty sure Lea will be along soon to say whether or not I am right or wrong though :)

I did find this though ..which gives types of trees and the distance they should be from a house Trees it makes for good reading ;) It shows the willow should be 40 metres away (The relevant table is about half way down the page but the whole page is quite interesting)

If you want a mail order source of trees then you can't do better than Highfield Nurseries, Whitminster.  I don't think they have a web site being a traditional old-style plant grower but if you do a google search you can get their phone number and they will send you a catalogue or you can place an order over the phone.  Everything comes with a guarantee and they don't quibble either.

Previous neighbours had major subsidence caused by a willow in their garden - the garage parted company from the house

Daisy

A detached garage - that's very desirable!

Yes :D But it was also at a very strange angle :D

Daisy

Melody, thankyou, thay site has gone in my favs. Will be useful to answer customers questions :D :D
Lea :)

I have a Silver Birch in my back garden - it was my birthday present last year.  We bought it from a normal local garden centre for about £20 (had to have it delivered - £5).  At first I was worried that it wasn't a 'real' Silver Birch as the bark was still brown, but as it's matured it's started going silver from the bottom.  It's currently about 12' tall, and must have grown 2' this year........  It's at the top of the garden, where it's particularly damp (possible spring/underground water course?) and seems to be thriving.  Just a word of advice - when you plant, make sure you have a big enough stake, as I didn't, and now have to re stake (and risk damaging the roots :( )