Should I cut down my beautiful laburnum to make more space for veggies?

[BeatTheSeasons]

I have a long thin garden measuring about 36m long x 6m wide.

My veggie patch is all of the bottom half of the garden so about 18m x 6m in size (minus the space taken up by a greenhouse and a shed).

For the last 4 years since I moved here I have been toying with the idea of cutting down my beautiful laburnum tree (see picture) to make more space for growing veggies. It's right in the middle of my plot, and every year it gets bigger and casts more shade.

With the tree still there I have space for about 9 raised beds of 2.4m x 1.2m in size, a couple of which suffer quite a lot of shade. Without the tree I would have space for 14 beds the same size and in full sun.

But it's the only tree in the garden! There are several tall trees in my neighbours' gardens to the north side, but it's lovely to sit in the shade of my laburnum on those rare occasions when it's too hot and sunny.

If I had done something about this 4 years ago I could have had a decent sized fruit tree in the top (non veggie) end of the garden by now. And so I would be happier to cut the laburnum down because I would still have the fruit tree for shade.

Any thoughts anyone?

[Nicos]

Hmmm...a garden is also for relaxing in- how often do you manage to do that???

Also- do you enjoy the look of the garden from the house with the tree there?

You can always construct something out of wood to sit under and plant climbers up it!

[chris]

Personally, I would - but I cut down 4 trees to make room for 1 bed (though planning on re-planting more fruit trees). But it's really down to your personal choice.. if you've got no danger of kids/people eating the pods- and have made do with the past 4 years fine - then why not just prune the tree a bit?

[snakeshack]

personally I'd take it down and replace with a fruit tree,that way you'l still get shade and some fruit as well

[Patchninja]

Why not plant the fruit tree then when it's grown a bit, then cut down the laburnam if you really want to. Personally, I don't think I could bring myself to cut it down. Heresy I know, but a garden is for more than veggies

[quark1]

It is a magnificent example of laburnum - but if you have or are are planning a family - it would be a good idea to remove in the interests of safety as the seeds are poisonous. Having said that -my parents had a laburnum and I'm sure I ate a fair few as youngster and I'm still here to bore you with my comments!

A fruit tree of some sort or perhaps some kind of vine over support would offer both shade and a possible edible crop going forward if you are planning staying in this place for some time.

If you look on 'Tips' or 'Recommends' section there is an opportunity to apply for a free tree - one of which is a Rowan and could be used for harvesting the berries to make jelly/jam. They'll be sending out fom Sep - unless offer finished - in which case I apologise for raising your hopes.