Tree/shrub suggestions for a visual barrier?

I have a medium/large yard with a fairly short fence. I want a greater sense of privacy in my yard. I think I would rather opt for a natural barrier than replacing all of my current fence. I am willing and able to care for whatever I plant, but would appreciate any tips about good trees or shrubs for the job.

Tree/shrub suggestions for a visual barrier?
i'm a landscape designer and to me i would plant the thuga it's other commen name is aborvita go with the grn giant aborvita they give a great cover and they turn a rust color in winter also many poeple dont know this when the wind blows and theres more then one they put a nice smell in the air when they rub together also maybe do a mix of theese in the back and middle and then on each side of the middle one closer to home put little gem magnollas ok i can go on and on i could design it out just like that anyway thats what i would do
Reply:arborvities are very nice and a very common shrub they kind of look like mini pine trees. if you have deer they might go after them. bamboo grows very fast and high looks great it also remains green thru winter, but you have to be careful to keep it under control. you might also want to think about some grasses they look great and grow nice and tall but they will not stay green they will die and turn brown in the fall/winter just like your regular grass and you will have to cut down this big chunk of dead grass to make way for the new growth in the spring so you'll have some maintainance. i guess it's all about the look you're going for the arborvities are very classic formal look , where the grass or bamboo will give a more relaxed feel. you can also choose a variety of different flowering bushes lilac bushes grow really fast as well as butterfly and hydragea bushes but the problem with these bushes is they will lose their leaves in the fall so they only offer privacy in the sping and summer. hope this helps.
Reply:We had the same issue and used Arbor Vitae. They are much less expensive than other evergreens and form a perfect screen for your yard. They usually reach 12'-14' when fully mature with a spread of 3'-4'. We add a few each year. They only run about $32 each at the Lowe's for a 5' potted tree (more at a commercial nursery). They grow well even in poor soil if you baby them a bit. Fertilize with 12-12-12 twice a year and water them as you would the lawn.





We planted ours on a mound made of organic plant/grass/tree waste matter from around the yard that added about a foot to the tree's initial height. They are thriving in Indiana!
Reply:Euonymus kiautschovicus 'Manhattan' needs a bit of support so would do well on starting on your fence.





Columnar hicks yew (taxus medea hiscksii) is one of the fastest growing evergreens around.





Japanese holly (Ilex crenata) looks like a boxwood shrub since it has no prickly holly style leaves, just small, oval leaves.





You can combine plants to make a tapestry of color. In Europe they will plant a line of beech trees of different colors. Then in fall they get an new hedge. Beeches hold their leaves til spring so provide privacy year round. They come in green, copper and tricolors. Fagus sylvatica Purpurea, F. sylvatica 'Roseomarginata' or F. sylvatica 'Purpurea Tricolor') . Training them to form a hedge might need a good book to help get them right.


Other trees for hedging include hazelnuts, hornbeam, privet, %26amp; dogwood.
Reply:I'm in SoFL and use sea grapes. You have to keep them trimmed but they provide an excellent visual barrier since they have large leaves. They are readily available everywhere and I am told they grow from cuttings. Once established they are very hardy and drought tolerant. Can be allowed to grow into a tree or "specimen plant". Provides habitat for small birds and fruit for you and the birds. Very tasty.
Reply:Hard to tell you without knowing what zone you are in. Try taking photos of your yard to a local nursery. If your area takes more than one photo, form a panoramic photo by taking overlapping shots and taping them together underneath. You can try out your own ideas by drawing on the photos with dry-erase markers. It wipes right off. Draw in shapes of trees versus the rounded shrub shapes. When you know the shape you want, and the amount of sun time and when there is sun time on the area, go to your local nursery. Plant lovers, love to give advice.





Great suggestions, but I personally hate arbor vitae. White Pines are awesome, they catch the sun beautifully. May I suggest Wax Leaf Ligustrum. It is an evergreen shrub that grows quickly (3-4' per year in Ga). It can get 20' tall and has an oval or bon bon shape. It must be trimmed to shape it. You can "tree form" it by removing the bottom branches. Leyland Cypress and Cryptomeria are great tall pyramidals. For shade areas, I love Hemlocks. For sun, blue cedars. These 2 are also tall pyramidals, but with a broader base.
Reply:Dwarf Spirea (get about 3-4 feet tall) %26amp; bought mine at $13 each. There are various kinds %26amp; I used 4 alternately around 2 sides of corner lot by fence. I don't trim but watered generously %26amp; frequent on first season. They need rock or mulch at base to avoid weeds. I prefer natural I use ground cover plants. I got Japanese Spurge %26amp; don't care for them.





If you want short %26amp; no weeds %26amp; no maintenance for about 2 feet in height, go with daylillies. They thicken in time to choke out even weeds. But be sure to make a cement in-the-ground wall between them and your yard or them will spread into your yard %26amp; take over.





Some people prefer vines up the fence. I have seen a neighbor plant gourds and gave their vines cover the fence.





Whatever you pick - - periennal is best so it comes back each year on its own. LOL
Reply:Pine. White pine. They have long soft needles. They are cheap. You can find them in the forest for free. They are great for privacy and they grow quickly. Your local nursery would sell them. They grow in most climates,shade or sun . When you first plant them water them daily. Good Luck :)

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