OT: Anyone here know anything about trees and shrubs?

[temery]

I have a 100 linear foot area in which I'd like to put in a living fence. The house across the street is up a hill (~15' elevation), and I'd like some seasonal privacy during the warmer months.

I'm thinking about planting some full, flowering trees about 15' apart, with a bush/shrub or two to fill in the open space between the tree trunks and up to the lower canopy.

Worth noting: There are power lines about ten feet in front (not sure how high, but they're "normal" height for power lines). So I'd like trees that max out at around 20 to 25 feet. Preferably trees that are about six feet tall when planted, but grow to full size (25' tall, with a canopy of ~15') by the end of the summer. But that's not a deal breaker.

Any suggestions for plants, or design?

 

[The Funster]

I'd consult with the Knights who say Ni! They are experts on all types of shrubberies.

 

[storrsroars]

Avoid black walnut trees. They'd fit your description, but you'll be cleaning up black walnuts for a few months every year. And you don't want to run your lawnmower over those bad boys.

Arborvitae not a consideration? That's the most common solution where I live.

 

[temery]

Avoid black walnut trees. They'd fit your description, but you'll be cleaning up black walnuts for a few months every year. And you don't want to run your lawnmower over those bad boys.

Arborvitae not a consideration? That's the most common solution where I live.

A neighbor had arborvitae. It looked great until it got some type of infestation.

 

[Vancat]

Arborvitae: we have them bordering in our neighbor's yard. Been there for a good 10+ years, only a couple died at the initial planting.

 

[businesslawyer]

I thought you were setting up the cross examination from My Cousin Vinny. Very disappointed now.

 

[DCUconnfan]

Leyland cypress might help you - although if you want it to look like standard grade A italian cypress you'll have to do a bunch of pruning and shaving work over time to get it to be less like a Christmas tree. Good privacy though.

 

[UC313]

What kind of sun do you get and what kind of other trees surround the area? Id shoot for a quick grower that tops out around 15'. Some Japanese holly between trees would look great imo. Theyre much more vertical than other hollys.

 

[storrsroars]

I thought you were setting up the cross examination from My Cousin Vinny. Very disappointed now.

Maybe he'll ask how to clean his window screens next.

 

[temery]

What kind of sun do you get and what kind of other trees surround the area? Id shoot for a quick grower that tops out around 15'. Some Japanese holly between trees would look great imo. Theyre much more vertical than other hollys.

Full sun.

 

[Cheddie]

Arborvitae are commonly used, but not a good choice if you have a lot of deer nearby (unless you like the topiary look). Mixing trees and lower level shrubs might leave the two varieties in competition, with the latter suffering after time. If you'd like year-round privacy, pines are another, more fool-proof option. They're pretty fast growing, but do drop a % of their needles each fall. Kousa dogwoods and cherry trees make nice flowering specimens. A good nursery should be able to give you advice about what might do well in your soil, what will, or won't, fill in quickly and be disease/pest resistant.

 

[andy34]

I have a 100 linear foot area in which I'd like to put in a living fence. The house across the street is up a hill (~15' elevation), and I'd like some seasonal privacy during the warmer months.

I'm thinking about planting some full, flowering trees about 15' apart, with a bush/shrub or two to fill in the open space between the tree trunks and up to the lower canopy.

Worth noting: There are power lines about ten feet in front (not sure how high, but they're "normal" height for power lines). So I'd like trees that max out at around 20 to 25 feet. Preferably trees that are about six feet tall when planted, but grow to full size (25' tall, with a canopy of ~15') by the end of the summer. But that's not a deal breaker.

Any suggestions for plants, or design?

Call up Sprucedale Gardens, in Woodstock, CT. 860-974-0045. Owners are extremely knowledgeable & happy to help, and they have great prices.

(Also they are my parents.)

 

[HuskyHawk]

You said summer months right? I'd just go with something like Bradford Pear trees, and Forsythia in between.

 

[Marty Jackson]

If it's for privacy, you want an evergreen in the back.
Hemlocks can be an alternative. They get big, but are easily kept in check with pruning.

 

[B1GEast]

Trees are tall things, shrubs are short

 

[temery]

If it's for privacy, you want an evergreen in the back.
Hemlocks can be an alternative. They get big, but are easily kept in check with pruning.

I'm staying away from evergreens. Woolly Adelgid have killed my hemlocks, and the other evergreens haven't done well either.

 

[RichZ]

You said summer months right? I'd just go with something like Bradford Pear trees, and Forsythia in between.

Forsythia are among the devil's favorite noxious weeds. Once established, they require constant pruning to keep from over-running everything, and send out subterranean runners that spring up as new plants in completely inappropriate areas. Once you make the commitment to get rid of them --and you will -- it takes a few years of ripping out stuff that comes up in all sorts of places. All for 3 weeks of nice yellow foliage in April.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Forsythia are among the devil's favorite noxious weeds. Once established, they require constant pruning to keep from over-running everything, and send out subterranean runners that spring up as new plants in completely inappropriate areas. Once you make the commitment to get rid of them --and you will -- it takes a few years of ripping out stuff that comes up in all sorts of places. All for 3 weeks of nice yellow foliage in April.

Haven't had a problem with mine, but they do spread like mad. Pick another shrub then. I like Boxwoods.

He's clearly looking for deciduous trees though. Pears, some cherrys seem to reach the height he wants and stop. Dogwoods could work.

 

[jibsey]

Now is a good time to plant a tree. Right now. Stop what you are doing and start planting.

 

[mauconnfan]

Boneyard knows all! Trees shrubs not for me....

Now bushes, let me know if you need a hand!

 

[Mr. Hand]

I've always been a fan of lilacs. They can grow into very dense stands that rival evergreens for privacy, are hardy, smell nice, and have pretty flowers.

 

[jibsey]

The final 4 is Saturday and Monday coming up and the discussion on the yard, bushes and lilacs.

 

[don356]

Get a condo.

 

[CL82]

Eastern Redbud. Not too tall but takes up a lot of space and is attractive,

I'd consider Dogwood if you aren't allergic.

My favorite tree in my backyard is Magnolia, gorgeous but the blooms don't last long.

There's a ton of similar choices.

 

[RichZ]

Eastern Redbud. Not too tall but takes up a lot of space and is attractive,

I'd consider Dogwood if you aren't allergic.

My favorite tree in my backyard is Magnolia, gorgeous but the blooms don't last long.

There's a ton of similar choices.

Red Maple is another good one, but might be a little slower growing than the more flowery species, and to get nicely shaped trees, you've got to space them properly, and until they fill out, they won't do much for privacy.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

With carefully selected species, red maples (Chinese/Japanese here) can provide the height, width, and a variety of year round color you may want. You need to really check the species, or you may get more or less than you're bargaining to obtain. Not that you'll buy online, but MrMaple.com Buy Japanese Maples is a good resource.

You didn't mention sidewalks or a driveway, but front-yard magnolias and some other flowering, nut or fruit trees can potentially be a royal PITA. If you're not concerned about stuff falling on a sidewalk, driveway, etc., then you'll have more options. Eastern Redbud looks good for a couple weeks, but the trees are often kind of mangy (word? Crappy anyway) most of the year. In western Mass, some dogwoods and Japanese holly sounds like a potentially good blend of tree size, color, and privacy screen from your nosy neighbors. Good luck!