i'd like a small (max 4m?) tree on the corner near the table and chairs to make the sitting area more private from neighbours (allowing plenty of room for the tree to achieve it's full height and width and underplanted with suitable groundcovers along the edges of the patio) ..some large shrubs (pittosporums? along the fences could also add to the privacy and cool down the concrete retaining walls

Hi Alchemy

Good tips frm Mel. But if you plant that or another tree furthest from the pool, check out the roots invasive nature as you have retaining walls.

I didn't know what a Shademaster was, so if you choose not to have that size or non decidious one, browse thru this nifty site I stumbled upon. Everyone reading this should bookmark it.

https://www.specialitytrees.com.au/finder

Plant deciduous if you have masochistic tendency. Not near the pool.

@ alchemy,

I can see you've put allot of effort into your beautiful yard and pool and whist I agree that you will probably regret a deciduous tree, irrespective of it losing most of its leaves in a short period, it would be allot of work clearing that debris from your pool but I agree that you need to complete your yard with greenery.

I think the ficafolia suggested by bigreader could look stunning but I have one in my yard (no pool) and the gumnuts this little tree of mine drops must be seen to be believed albeit they dont blow.

A palm of course is one of the best trees due to its lack of debris and the tropical look it provides is always a winner, however, getting one fairly established would be the way as they don't grow super fast but the expense of such a tree could be quite prohibitive.

I would seriously listen to advice offered by people with an outdoor pool as experience is the best teacher, so you must decide just how much work you want to give yourself over and above the normal workload simply having an outdoor pool and I'd strongly consider the suggestion Mel N offered of putting up a sun shade or sail initially and see how that works for you.

Best of luck.

Cheers,

Barbara

I have decidious and evergreen in my garden, as Paul said evergreen you are cleaning up daily where as decidious only once a year, look at pyrus'chanticleer' ornamental pear, fabulous tree, plant in a group, if you are prepared for the once a year drop then it's an easy clean, they look spectacular , big and glossy foliage, just love them.

I had to google it. It's a variety of Gleditsia / Honey Locust? I think that's way too big, and it's deciduous so that's a huge amount of autumn leaves, though the comments about how evergreens can shed all year are true too.

What purpose do you want the tree to fulfill? Shade, privacy, beauty, a combination?

A palm was suggested, I was advised having Alexandra palms as they are self pruning and look good because of that.

https://goo.gl/images/ev8XjF

Have you thought of extending the patio roof over the pool with a translucent roof?

I think you will find that once you plant up those garden beds that are behind the retaining walls (I'm not good with plant names, but something like Super Hedge?, It gets really tall, fast with no nuts or flowers to drop and will screen out your neighbours), maybe plant some Boxus in front of the retainers for a layered effect. You might not feel like you need a tree then. Palms are also great as they don't drop much. Avoid the ones that drop the seeds/nuts.

I'm not so sure about the rationale of decidous dropping only once-a-year....our neighbours Chinese Elm overhangs our property and it drops constantly, all year- blossoms, leaves and sticky sap. Then of course it's annual gutter blocking drop!. No thank you. Near a pool? Crazy!

Beautiful oskuee!

The worst are gum trees! their leaves stain pool surfaces terribly. The next would be the cocos palm nuts...I had a barracuda and those nuts fit perfectly to cause a blockage....really annoying if your filter is set to go whilst you are at work.

Thank you all so much for your comments, links and photos. Macymapples, the purpose of the tree is as a feature as we already have plenty of shade with a large pergola. Brixamorta, the Alexander palm is food for thought elsewhere in the garden and I will check out other plants that have been mentioned. Many thanks.