[esquier]

Hi,
I have a section of my garden which is on a fairly steep slope down to a
stream which at present is mostly covered with blackthorn and briars. I would
like to clear the site and plant Birch, Mountain Ash and Beech to create a brighter
situation and perhaps plant some wild flowers.
The size of the site is c. 1/3 acre and I would appreciate any
advice as to the choice of trees, spacing and whether the slope would be a problem. Thanks in advance.

Esquier.

[Sive]

I think alders grow well near water....

[Foxylock]

Willows would be suitable and dogwoods look well with them.

[kindredspirit]

I think the birch, rowan and beech idea is best for a slope with an airy aspect.

I personally wouldn't mix up the trees but would plant all the birch together, the mountain ash together and the beech in another section. All those trees seem to like slopes.

You'd want to space the beech a good bit apart but birch seem to be happy very near each other, but then the birch would be dense cover in the summer.

[James Kilkelly, was GPI.]

Good suggestions so far.
Include some native Irish elderberry as well. A good pioneer spieces, lower growing than the trees mentioned, and it will bring the birds to the slope.

[esquier]

Thanks for all the replies so far, all good suggestions and I appreciate them.
One of my main concerns would be spacing, I would like a fairly open plan so
what would be the standard distance between plants and as to grouping like trees together, I remain to be persuaded, might it look a bit contrived ?. More
suggestions welcome.

Esquier.

[Robbo]

Horsechesnut when older look nice on a slope at times branchs grow down like a willow, there are a few large old ones growing on the banks of a small river near to where I live. Which look very nice.