Thinking of planting trees to make a "privacy fence"?

Question

We have an acre.
My husband wants to put pine trees along one side- that's what his father did. It's nice and private, but I like maples, weeping willows and oak trees.
I would like something that will grow quickly enough... say in the next 5-7 years. What do you suggest?

Answer 1

I think your husband has the right idea. Pines are the way to go because they not only provide privacy in the summer but also in the winter because they are an evergreen and keep their "leaves/needles" all year round. Pine trees will grow quickly. I tend to like the ones with long needles because they aren't so harsh or abrasive when you walk into them. Short needled pines like a blue spruce can be a pain to get a child's ball or something like that out from under them with their harsh needles. Pines also provide privacy from top to bottom, no seeing under the limbs. I recommend planting two rows. Plant the second row so that the trees are centered behind the middle of the open spaces in the first row. This leaves no gaps to see through when they are all grown.

Answer 2

Pine trees would be better for privacy. Oaks and maples especially, but also willows, will still show much of the neighbors even when full grown because all the leaves are at the top. My grandparents planted pines and they grew like weeds. Ask at your local nursery what kind of tree would best suit your needs.

Answer 3

Leyland Cypress is a good choice for a privacy border. It is evergreen , which means it will make an effective fence year round . They are a much nicer , more compact tree than pines, and don't drop messy neeedles all over the yard. Its a much prettier tree also. It is not your run of the mill tree . They grow fast too, about 3 feet a year , so they will form a nice border quickly ......

Answer 4

We did this with maples and pine tress. (the pine trees where there and we tried cutting them down but they grew back.) The trees grew so fast in 2 1/2 years we have privacy from the house that we where trying to block!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Hardwood trees are not going to give you the privacy you are looking for. If you want something that will grow fast I would suggest white pine. They will give you Privacy fast and are a beautiful tree in the wind.

Answer 6

For privace, pine is better. Maples and willows have the screen at the top and not at the base of the trunks. Otherwise, look into shrubs. Your local nursery can help you pick appropriate ones.

Answer 7

I would take a soil sample from the area you plan to plant in to the local university horticulture dept and have it tested and they will recommend to you the best type of bushes, shrubs or trees to plant to accomplish this. If it is too far away, you can mail samples to them or to your State Dept of argiculture for testing. Some soils won't support certain types of trees and you also need to consider the climate where you live.

Answer 8

I would use shrubs instead of trees that shed leaves that have to be raked up when the fall. With shrubs you can control how high they get by trimming. Visit a nursery and find something that you like.

Answer 9

buy pre-grown trees that are already a couple years old, and already a few feet tall

also, plant evergreens that will stay green all year round, not decidous, that will lose their leaves, and leave the "fence" looking rather ugly

Answer 10

You need to consult a garden store in your area. Go equipped with the following information: what climate zones? need ever green or is deciduous okay? got gophers? how much do you want to spend? do you have a preference for maximum height? water requirements?