trees for privacy along fence line
 

Reading the thread about Bradford Pear trees breaking got me to thinking. We have a fence line that we were going to use Bradford Pears to give some privacy. I dont really want to use an evergreen, although I will if it is my last resort. I was wanting to use something that is pretty/flowering if possible. Does anyone have any suggestions? It doesn't really have to be a solid privacy screen but one that will cause a break in scenery ( did I spell this right? It doesn't look right to me), which is the neighbors evergrowing junk pile. I would prefer fast growing, not opposed to a large flowery type bush. Give me some good ideas!
Melissa

Well Mrs. Melco ;) I know now that the Bradford Pear is getting poor reviews but down here on the Gulfcoast they line the street and are just beautiful. I am bias though. I hope I wont regret loving mine so. :benice:

Where do you live? Around here I would plaint Sawtooth Oak, or put some Osage Orange. Either one will have enough to make it quite impenetrable once it is established. They might not grow where you live.:shrug:

Heres one thats stronger and more disease res than bradford but looks the same. http://www.naturehills.com/product/c...ring_pear.aspx http://www.advancedtree.com/tree_clevelandpear.htm

Try poplar trees for fast growing.

What about more of a hedge? Like photinia? Or Chinese fringe flower? Abelia (?) is nice too.

Patty

Amalanchier (shadblow serviceberry) Can be grown as a multi-trunked shrub or a single stem tree. Mature height 12-15'. Beautiful flowers, nice foliage, edible berries in late summer, brilliant fall color.

Remember, evergreens can be used year round by birds, rabbits, etc... and since they stay green, they provide year round privacy.


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Around here instead of using trees people are using the big oleanders.
Plus side the deer or anything else won't eat them.

Evergreens

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/Le...FQITswod2FT9tw

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/ThujaGiant1.htm

You can get these cheeper at your locial home store

Whoops sorry I am in zone 7. I will look up some of these ideas.
Thanks.

If you like the bradfords you could allways try a cleveland pear. The look almost identical, but they grow more upright and are less prone to storm damage.

Rose of sharon bushes - beautiful in summer, bloom around the fourth of july and grow.like.crazy!!

I love mine.

Does crape myrtle grow in your zone?
The Natchez version grows fast and tall, has beautiful white blooms, and very pretty ornamental bark during the winter.

I'm planning to put high-bush cranberry along our fenceline, because I can get them cheap from our conservation dept., and we love cranberries. If I plant them all the way down the fenceline, it won't matter if the birds get most of them, there should still be plenty left for us. Something food-producing (even if it's mainly left for the wildlife) could be a good idea - it would be there if you ever needed it...

We had a 10' tall mock orange hedge at our last home. The perfume was wonderful in blossom season.

I have a Mock Orange bush, it is huge.

We are looking at doing the same thing - privacy, food source and for general landscaping purposes. Lombardy Poplar are said to be a good source for a tall (up to 75') barrier and it is very fast growing. Dogwood and Magnolia trees are nice and showy in the spring and require very little care once established. Evergreen trees are extremely good for helping those who have asthma or other breathing issues (unless they are known to be allergic to them of course). Mountain Ash provides a beautiful tree with food for the birds later in the season and flowering Almond also is quite spectacular to see in the spring.
I think we are going to do a mix of many different types except fruit trees as keeping the deer away from them will be quite a hassle.

Bamboo also makes an excellent privacy hedge.

I like evergreens best, then plant something shorter and flowery in front of them, the flowers look beautiful against the dark evergreens.

I'll probably get blasted for suggesting this, but verigated privette (spelling?) is pretty. I planted some along a falling-down shed to sort of hide it (because DH doesn't want to demolish it), and it looks nice. Hasn't become invasive. Yet.

we've got a similar situation...two big trailers (storage) and a junked auto...my wife and I will pe planting some white pines

Planting along a fenceline
 

I have no idea how much land you have, but for most purposes I would not plant ANYTHING next to a fence. It makes the fence almost impossible to keep in condition and in many cases it actually destroys the fence. I would keep at least two mowers width (in the country two brushhog widths) from the fence.

If you are on a very small place none of the above matters.
Ox

I would reconcider evergreens if I wanted to block a bad view. We planted Leyland Cypress about three years ago between our house and the neighbors to give our back yards privacy,Its great! Planted about four feet apart and they are already meshed together and twenty feet tall.

This has some great responses. I think I may reconsider evergreens for a more complete screen. As always I appreciate all the help.
Melissa

i am trying to do the same thing but my area is shaded alot. Ive got the Tunja(sp?) Evergreens out front and i love them. Very fast growing bought them at 3 feet 2 years ago and there over 5 feet now. I was hoping to find a flowering bush would like do a vine but there is goats next door.

The lombardy poplar are short lived break off in wind and shed a lot of leaves in the fall we had them, never again.

The osage orange is full of thorns and the fruit from them sow seed everywhere and they grow where ever you do not want them.

Glenn