Landscapers, zone 7, OR, I am looking for 12 ft trees for decor with small canopies read below ??

Question

Hi, I live in the city, grow flowers so don;t want tons of shade, but with our city fence ordinance, we can't build a fence higher than 5-6 feet and if I could plant some small type trees about 4-5 ft away from my back yard fence, it would give me privacy from the canopy of the tree. I would like non-deciduous, but it seems most evergreen grow small at the top and I need more like a normal tree with the canopy as privacy about top of the fence level and above but not huge so that it covers my yard in shade. I hope you can understand this ??? Any suggestions from those who really know trees ?

Answer 1

Its all about Leyland Cyprus -an evergreen. Cheap, fast growing, tolerant of bad soil, can be cut and trimmed as you like. A favorite screening plant of golf courses. You'll recognize it when you see it. Plant a row of them and sit back.

Answer 2

In the world of Pine trees you can find dwarf varieties that come close to your size requirements.
Bristlecone Pine is an irregular-shaped, picturesque pine that only grows to 8-20' high by 10-15' wide. Hardy in zones 4-7. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/pinus_aristata.html

The lacebark Pine has striking, unique bark. This is considered one of the most beautiful pine trees and it is hardy in zones 5 to 7b. There is a dwarf version called 'Compacta' that is smaller and more compact than the straight species. This one grows very slowly & will ultimately exceed your height requirements, but it will take a very long time to do so.

There is a Japanese Red Pine known as 'Umbraculifera' that is hardy in zones 3 to 7. This dwarf Japanese Red Pine grows with an umbrella shaped head to only 12-18' high. Orange/brown exfoliating barkis another nice feature of this pine. This is a very good choice based on your size requirements and growth habits. http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/cultivars/pinus_densiflora-umbra.html

'Little Giant' Pitch Pine grows only to 15'. Not highly ornamental, grows with pom-pom tufts of foliage, zones 4 - 7.

'Nana' Loblolly Pine grows 8 - 15' tall and is hardy in zones 6 - 9. Dense rounded crowns that are truly artistic; lots of character. This one is probably going to come closest to your size requirements.

Virginia Shrub Pine - zones 4 - 8 and grows 15-40' by 10-30'. Not very ornamental.

Answer 3

Try a fruitless weeping mulberry tree. The pictures on the web show them with their limbs grown to the ground, but I know you can prune them so they look like a green umbrella. An no worry about berry poop from the birds.

Answer 4

I suggest Magnolia, or Cherry Laurel, or photenia. Photenia are a shrub but can be pruned so that they are leggy with a canopy like a Yaupon holly. Yaupon would work but is slow to grow.

Answer 5

Personally I don't like them, but arborvitae are used for this alot here in Oregon. You will need to cut the tops every year, or they will eventually get tall. Usually grow about 9" per year.