“Good fences make good neighbors,” as Robert Frost has said. But what if traditional fencing is not the option that you are looking for? After all, traditional fencing can leave a lot to be desired in regard to simple aesthetics. While wood, chain link or iron can be installed quickly and can provide you with some degree of security and privacy, these options may not strike your fancy from a pure appearance point of view. And frankly, a natural hedge may provide not merely a more attractive option, but may serve as a formidable guarantor of your family’s privacy.
Once you decide to go the more natural route, however, there are several issues that you will need to keep in mind:
Know What You Hope To Accomplish
The first question to ask yourself is this: just how “private” do I want my little world to be? The answer to this query will enable you to decide precisely what kind of tree to plant. If you are simply concerned with blocking an individual’s line of sight to your home and yard, then your choice will likely differ from those options more suited to establishing an actual physical barrier as well as a visual one. For instance, planting a species such as Thuja Green Giants (which have a shape much like a Christmas tree) in a row two deep with staggered spacing, can provide you and your family with ample privacy. Further, such an option is an excellent one if you hope to allow for free movement back and forth across your tree line. Yet, if it is your desire to create a full-blown barrier, a thick hedge made up of Leland Cyprus might be more to your taste. The goal that you have in mind will decide the species of tree that is best for you.
Be Aware Of Your Aesthetic Goals
Just like different people have different looks and behavior patterns, so do trees. Not all trees are created equal! For example, individual species respond to the change in seasons differently. Are you looking for a deciduous option, which will lose its foliage in the fall and winter months, or do you prefer to plant a species of evergreen, which will keep is foliage year-round? And in connection with this question, be aware that should you go the deciduous route you will have to plan on doing some raking each year when your trees shed their leaves!
In addition to this most basic of questions, there are other issues to consider which will depend very much on your personal taste: Do you prefer a tree that flowers? If so, what color might you prefer for the bloom? Is there a certain look to the foliage that you are hoping for? Do you prefer a plant with large leaves (such as the Empress Tree), or a species that grows smaller leaves (such as are found in the Chinese Tallow)? Or would you rather abandon the look of leaves altogether and go with needles instead (a common evergreen trait)?
Foliage thickness, leaf color, flower shade (if applicable), branch structure, height, width…all these variables ought to be considered prior to your settling in on one particular choice. But the great thing about all the variables out there is the fact for almost any set of preferences there is an ideal fast-growing species!
A Note of Caution: Plant With Prudence!
“What ye sow, ye shall surely reap!” Be sure, therefore, that you sow wisely. One cannot plant just any old tree anywhere. What might happen, for instance, if you were plant your border row a little too close to your home’s foundation? You’ll be kicking yourself once those little cracks from root growth start to appear in the walls of your house. Or what if you plant that row of Green Vase Zelkova without considering that the species has a 60-70ft. maximum growth height? That might be a bit more tree than can fit in the 8ft. wide space between you and your neighbor’s houses! And that Robin Red Holly was a perfectly beautiful idea…except the fact that your pool deck is constantly covered with thousands of little red berries that stain the concrete or wood and need constant cleaning!
With careful planning, you can not only maximize your aesthetic enjoyment of your new tree border, but you can avoid mistakes that could potentially have unpleasant, even disastrous results! The fact that your hedge or tree line is going to be made up of a fast-growing species only increases the necessity that you plan intelligently.
How Much Care Is Too Much?
Well, that’s entirely up to you. Some fast-growing species, like the Juniper Skyrocket, are practically maintenance free, and are thus perfect for those who want to plant and forget. Species such as the Variegated Privet, however, are best planted by those who don’t mind regular hedging. Some other issues that you may want to keep in mind in your choice are fertilization requirements, how much watering will be needed and whether or not yearly pruning will be a necessity. Whatever your preference, you will find that great fast-growth options for both the “hands-off” homeowner and the ever-active agriculturalist, together with all levels in between, are available.
While it is certainly true that some degree of comparative patience is required for those who want to increase their privacy nature’s way, there are a great variety of tree species available that are relatively quick-growing and can establish an attractive border for your property in just two or three years. Add to this fact the delightful variety of species available, together with all their individual characteristics and advantages, and you will find that a little wait is quite worth it!
