Privacy GONE :( - Looking For Trees To Hide The View

[Nifty]

Well, it happened... the developer behind us started building the four houses in the lot behind us.

They are HUGE 2-story houses... with one looking directly down into our yard and into our main living area

So, we're scrambling to find fast-growing non-deciduous trees to hopefully give us a bit of privacy.

We've been doing a TON of research, working with local landscape designers, master gardeners, etc. that are familiar with our area (USDA Hardiness Zone 9b).

Here are all the trees we've been considering (alpha order):

• Carolina Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana)
• Fern Pine (Podocarpus gracilior)
• Indian Laurel Fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’)
• Lemonwood / Tarata (Pittosporum eugenioides)
• Pacific Wax Myrtle (Myrica californica, also known as Morella californica)
• Ray Hartman Ceanothus (Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’)

If the Fern Pine grew faster, that would be my 1st choice, but we're pretty sure we've decided that Lemonwood / Tarata.

We're choosing Lemonwood because its fast, upright, and naturally dense growth creates a lush, evergreen privacy wall that blocks second-story views within just a few years, all while handling clay soil and requiring minimal maintenance.

We are thinking we'll go with 24‑inch box trees because they clear our 7‑ft fence right away but avoid the transplant shock you get with giant trees. From what I can tell, the research and real-world experience show that smaller trees actually establish faster and grow better post-planting, while bigger boxes tend to slow growth and cost more (plants and machinery to get them).

So, we went to the local nursery today to look at them. They had the 25 gallon ones in-stock... probably 7' tall!

Sooo, what do y'all think? Any other ideas, suggestions, or experiences with this species?

 

[flowerbug]

i'd put up some tall poles and put some plywood on 'em. you can paint them to look like trees on your side.

[edit to include link ]

Coffee

Up at 4;00 AM this morning. On my second cup of coffee. Yesterday morning it was 18F, but before daylight it dropped down to 16F. Today it will be a high of 52F!! I’ll be able to turn the water back on at the meter. But I’ll still be hauling boiling water this morning to thaw out frozen buckets...

www.theeasygarden.com

 

[ducks4you]

Before you buy, find out How tall these trees will grow.
Some trees will top off at 40 ft tall, and they could land on your roof during a bad storm.
Doesn't matter what sort of trees that your want, I would suggest a cultivar of the same species.
For example, my Magnolia Jane is a crossbred cultivar. It is about 12 ft from my east side of the house and has not grown taller than about 12 ft, and should not grow taller. My next door neighbor has a crossbred Magnolia--these were created in the 1950's in Michigan, bc No southern Magnolia would survive here, so basically same tree.
Neighbor's Magnolia is 35 ft tall and 30 ft from their back door. That is how I knew that I could grow one here.
My 5 acre property has a great many too tall trees, including pines and evergreens, but it's 5 acres.
We have chopped down many that shed limbs close to the house, and there are more to be cut.
Also, look into the "shedding" habits of those trees you mentioned.
I would NEVER recommend a maple! They drop twigs, small limbs die off, and Then they drop, they are messy trees!
I am not familiar with the ones you listed, so do a little research.
ALSO--VERY IMPORTANT!!
WHEN you plant, measure the depth of the root ball. Dig a hole for that depth MINUS 2-3 inches, plant, then check to see if you have a root flare. Of course, your hole should be 2-3x as wide as the root ball. Filling around the root ball with good compost enables the little roots to grow into the hole and establish the tree.
Best time to transplant a tree is in the Fall.

Planting a tree successfully requires the correct planting depth

Even many years after planting, mistakes in planting depth can come back to haunt the tree.

www.canr.msu.edu

How to Fix a Tree Planted Too Deep | Davey Tree

Did you make the most common tree planting mistake? Check that you didn’t plant your tree too deep. See if you planted your new tree too deeply and learn how to fix the problem.

blog.davey.com

"...the tree’s root flare (should be planted) slightly above the soil. "

 

[Nifty]

Before you buy, find out How tall these trees will grow.
Some trees will top off at 40 ft tall, and they could land on your roof during a bad storm.
Doesn't matter what sort of trees that your want, I would suggest a cultivar of the same species.
For example, my Magnolia Jane is a crossbred cultivar. It is about 12 ft from my east side of the house and has not grown taller than about 12 ft, and should not grow taller. My next door neighbor has a crossbred Magnolia--these were created in the 1950's in Michigan, bc No southern Magnolia would survive here, so basically same tree.
Neighbor's Magnolia is 35 ft tall and 30 ft from their back door. That is how I knew that I could grow one here.
My 5 acre property has a great many too tall trees, including pines and evergreens, but it's 5 acres.
We have chopped down many that shed limbs close to the house, and there are more to be cut.
Also, look into the "shedding" habits of those trees you mentioned.
I would NEVER recommend a maple! They drop twigs, small limbs die off, and Then they drop, they are messy trees!
I am not familiar with the ones you listed, so do a little research.
ALSO--VERY IMPORTANT!!
WHEN you plant, measure the depth of the root ball. Dig a hole for that depth MINUS 2-3 inches, plant, then check to see if you have a root flare. Of course, your hole should be 2-3x as wide as the root ball. Filling around the root ball with good compost enables the little roots to grow into the hole and establish the tree.
Best time to transplant a tree is in the Fall.

Planting a tree successfully requires the correct planting depth

Even many years after planting, mistakes in planting depth can come back to haunt the tree.

www.canr.msu.edu

How to Fix a Tree Planted Too Deep | Davey Tree

Did you make the most common tree planting mistake? Check that you didn’t plant your tree too deep. See if you planted your new tree too deeply and learn how to fix the problem.

blog.davey.com

"...the tree’s root flare (should be planted) slightly above the soil. "

Lots of great info, thanks!

 

[baymule]

I’m not familiar with the species of trees on your list. The one you decided on seems to be the best choice.

 

[SPedigrees]

Well, it happened... the developer behind us started building the four houses in the lot behind us.

They are HUGE 2-story houses... with one looking directly down into our yard and into our main living area

View attachment 77242

So, we're scrambling to find fast-growing non-deciduous trees to hopefully give us a bit of privacy.

We've been doing a TON of research, working with local landscape designers, master gardeners, etc. that are familiar with our area (USDA Hardiness Zone 9b).

Here are all the trees we've been considering (alpha order):

• Carolina Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana)
• Fern Pine (Podocarpus gracilior)
• Indian Laurel Fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’)
• Lemonwood / Tarata (Pittosporum eugenioides)
• Pacific Wax Myrtle (Myrica californica, also known as Morella californica)
• Ray Hartman Ceanothus (Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’)

If the Fern Pine grew faster, that would be my 1st choice, but we're pretty sure we've decided that Lemonwood / Tarata.

We're choosing Lemonwood because its fast, upright, and naturally dense growth creates a lush, evergreen privacy wall that blocks second-story views within just a few years, all while handling clay soil and requiring minimal maintenance.

We are thinking we'll go with 24‑inch box trees because they clear our 7‑ft fence right away but avoid the transplant shock you get with giant trees. From what I can tell, the research and real-world experience show that smaller trees actually establish faster and grow better post-planting, while bigger boxes tend to slow growth and cost more (plants and machinery to get them).

So, we went to the local nursery today to look at them. They had the 25 gallon ones in-stock... probably 7' tall!

View attachment 77243


Sooo, what do y'all think? Any other ideas, suggestions, or experiences with this species?

First, you have my sympathies. Second, unfortunately I have no experience with any of the trees you are considering, living in the far north as I do. Hopefully others in your growing zone will be more helpful than me.

 

[Branching Out]

Trees are tricky! In my limited tree growing experience fast growing specimens can become a problem much quicker than slow growing ones-- and when they do, you need to remove them and start over. That can waste a lot of time. (Ask me how I know!!)