Growing Privacy (suggestions)

Bro. Williams · #1 02/02/10, 05:12 PM

I would like to grow a large privacy fence across about a 150 yheard stretch of our land that the road travels by. I have no restrictions to space and am pretty open to possibilties. I would like it to be tall and dense if possible, and a faster growing variets (of whatever) would be great.

If there was any type of plant that was edible to a degree would be great.

The land can be more damp that other parts, at times.

Appreciate the help.

Texasgirl · #2 02/02/10, 05:22 PM

Around here alot of people use the big oleanders.

Hank · #3 02/02/10, 05:30 PM

Around our part of the world people use Leland Cypress. Set them 6 to 8 feet apart and get out of the way. Will be to thick to walk thru and to tall to see over in no time.

Hank
http://www.doublemfarmandchuckwagon.webs.com

Old Vet · #4 02/02/10, 05:53 PM

The best fence you can have is privet hedge. It will get about 15 foot high and has lots of berries for birds and smell good.

brewswain · #5 02/02/10, 06:30 PM

I prefer wax leaf ligustrum.
I have about 450 feet of hedge that I have been nurturing for 34 years

#6 02/02/10, 07:04 PM

Bamboo. But you would need to mow along the perimeter to keep it from spreading.

meanwhile · #7 02/02/10, 07:15 PM

I would suggest a two row system. One in the back that is taller and one in front, staggered in row, that is shorter but still thick. The reason to use two types of tree would be that in case one gets damaged, you might still have protection from the other. We had a lovely, tall, huge cypress row around one of our Cabins, and it is damaged in places - resulting in gaps in the hedge. A friend had cedar rows around part of her garden and something killed several of the cedars, again gaps.

tnokie · #8 02/02/10, 09:50 PM

I would second the leyland cypress. I planted some between my neighbor and I 5 years ago. They were 3 feet tall ,now are 12-15! I planted at half the distance apart as recommended,at3 feet. That way they filled in much quicker. I also double rowed,but there really wasn't any need to. They are carefree and very attractive. The spot I planted in was not the best of soil with little summer moisture. But they have done great.

Tricky Grama · #9 02/03/10, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Vet

The best fence you can have is privet hedge. It will get about 15 foot high and has lots of berries for birds and smell good.

THis is what lots of folkd here use. ALso cedars.

tinknal · #10 02/03/10, 08:55 AM

It would help to know if the trees would be oriented east-west, or north-south.

If the row was east-west, here is what I would do (bear in mind I am in MN so these types may not grow well there)

On the north edge a couple of rows of hybrid or lombardi populars. To the south of those some kind of evergreens. Spruce, red pine, cedar, etc. After the evergreens were established (several years down the road) I would go with some kind of berry shrub on the south side. Raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, etc.

Big Dave · #11 02/03/10, 08:55 AM

FIGS: edible, big leafs, durable and look good.

tinknal · #12 02/03/10, 08:57 AM

The poplars will provide fast growth, and the evergreens and shrubs will provide a great windbreak and prevent drifting snow in the winter. Evergreens also provide great wildlife shelter in the winter.

tinknal · #13 02/03/10, 08:59 AM

By the time the evergreens are tall enough to provide protection the poplars will be ready to harvest for poles or firewood.

ninny · #14 02/03/10, 09:27 AM

I'd contact/visit the local nursery and ask the people there what they would suggest for what you have in mind. They know your area and what the soil is like so would be more likely to know what you want/need.

.

o&itw · #15 02/03/10, 10:16 AM

Lombardy polars have a bad habit of getting diesease and dying out early. They are also not evergreen.... so no screening effect in the winter.

Pony · #16 02/03/10, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinknal

By the time the evergreens are tall enough to provide protection the poplars will be ready to harvest for poles or firewood.

I like the idea of planting faster-growing trees along with slow growth.

Have you considered using hedge-apple trees? They make an excellent "fence" if you cut and weave them when they are young.

beowoulf90 · #17 02/03/10, 10:55 AM

When we lived in town we used hedge roses. You can plant them close and they make a wonderful "privacy fence"..

ronbre · #18 02/03/10, 11:56 AM

i grew a mixture of fast growing evergreens for our property and they really worked out well..i have a combination of canadian hemlock, spruce, white and red pine and cedar..the pines will eventually lose their bottom branches but the hemlock, cedar and spruces tend to hang onto theirs..so they all fill in and make a lovely privacy hedge..i have also planted black spruce along our west line to form a windbreak..

you can fill in the gappy areas under the pines as they grow taller with perennials or shrubs on the south sides..i have lilac, snowberry, barberry, etc. in the gaps..as well as roses and vines of all kinds..

i totally love my privacy fence, which is adult size now

Avalon Acres · #19 02/03/10, 12:24 PM

Leyland Cypress or silverthorn.

http://www.floridata.com/ref/E/elaeag_p.cfm

Ravenlost · #20 02/03/10, 03:44 PM

Leland Cypress don't like damp soil. I'd suggest willows. They grow like crazy and if you have a headache you can chew the bark. LOL...

We dug up and transplanted cedars along the fence between our house and our closest neighbor. Cedars grow fairly fast and they were free. They grow all over our property.