Tree recommendations

[RobA]

Anyone have any suggestions for evergreen trees to plant for privacy? I'm in the process of clearing land and creating a driveway for when we build our new house. Our driveway will be between 800 and 1,000 feet long and need some sort of privacy screen for about 300 feet of 1 side of it. I don't just want to create a hedge and, of course, want zero maintenance, fast growing and inexpensive. I thought about white pines but don't they loose their branches near the ground? We won't be moving there for about 6 more years. I live in southeast Pennsylvania about 30-40 west of Philadelphia.

 

[beenthere]

Yes, w.pine lose their lower branches as do many if they are crowded together.
You may want to plant spruce or cedars. But I would consider first the direction the wind (and snow) will come from, so the trees don't become a snow fence and drop all the snow in the drive. If far enough back (thinking 30-35') then they may actually help keep the snow from drifting in the drive dropping it before the drive).

 

[Wesdor]

I'm not sure they fit your needs - fast growing and inexpensive. But I am very partial to Norway Spruce. They have a long life and can make a nice privacy fence. We planted some along the road in front of our present home and they are about 20 feet tall - 12 years later.

I'm not really familar with your area, but would think they would thrive in Pennsylvania as they do here in Illinois.

Good luck.

 

[MikeD74T]

I live on a curve in the road on a hill such that car lights would light up my bedroom like daytime. I planted four 4' hemlocks about 3 years ago as a screen. They are 100' from the house in line perpendicular to the curve. They are 4' apart. Have grown to 6' now and filled in solid. I spend about 1/2 hour each spring trimming the new growth to keep the size down. My son shears a white pine hedge each spring that is 60'tall, 250' long, & about 20' thick. If forms a solid screen clear to the ground but is like a cathedral inside. I don't think you can have a good screen without at least a little maintenance.

 

[RobA]

beenthere - I never thought of the snow thing. Good point.

Wesdor - Norway spruce are nice. Since I am not in a rush I could plant some smaller ones in the spring and they should have some size to them in 6 or 7 years (?). I am on the edge of planting zones 6 and 7. Western Illinois is either 5 or 6 so our areas are similar enough when talking these trees.

MikeD74T - I never thought of hemlock. Looks like they grow pretty fast and since I have the space probably wouldn't trim them.

Anyone have luck with Leyland Cypress or "Thuja" Green Giant which is a white cedar?

 

[bugstruck]

Yes on the Leyland Cypress. I had some at my location when I bought and just planted 8 more this year. Great maintenance-free tree with real fast growth. When doing a privacy buffer they are my choice.

 

[Dennisfly]

I second the Leyland Cypress choice. I've used White Pine too, but the Cypress is hardier, denser, and faster growing.

 

[HobbleCreek]

On the subject of trees, somebody told me a few years ago about a tree and I can't remember the name. I'm wondering if any of you might know of it. Here's what I recall about it.

The tree is from (I think) China.

It grows to maturity in 7 years.

If you cut it down at 7 years and leave the stump, the tree will regrow to maturity again in 7 years.

It seems like the tree could be expect to regenerate itself in this way 7 times.

Anybody have any idea what kind of tree this might be?

-- Grant

 

[beenthere]

You might be thinking of the Ginko tree. Not sure about what is 'maturity' and what that means, nor that the Ginko has anything genetically built in around the "7 year" thing. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Ginko tree, also know as Maidenhair

 

[Freds]

I've seen lots of arbovitae used for that purpose. I'd say it's more of a shrub, though, at least the common ones around here.
web page