No privacy. Ideas?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cars and sidewalk pedestrians. We have a hedge but it’s not growing. I don’t think it gets enough sunlight because they just don’t get taller.

When did you put them in, and what trees did you use? How tall are they now? You could replace it with closely planted, 6ft evergreens that can be sheared into a hedge - it would be expensive to buy half grown trees but you could do it.

Are you allowed to put in a fence? That would help.

I wanted to do that. We planted some arbovitae last year and they haven't grown at all in a year. Not at all (I'm measuring). We spaced them three feet apart. How long will it take for them to actually grow? Maybe I should post that question to the lawn and garden board. I'd like to enjoy the privacy now, not 10 years from now.

I’m on a double yellow and have planted abovitae and not a chance they would survive at 3ft apart. Mine are a good 10ft apart and grow at least 18in a year. Too close and they will quickly choke each other out. I have a row of about 15 fully lining the backyard with a solid green wall.

[Anonymous]

You’re probably right about the shade being the culprit. I’ve noticed pretty different rates of growth in the same trees planted at the same time in my yard based on how sunny it is

[Anonymous]

Arborvitae likes/needs sun & water. Shade stunts/slows growth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cars and sidewalk pedestrians. We have a hedge but it’s not growing. I don’t think it gets enough sunlight because they just don’t get taller.

When did you put them in, and what trees did you use? How tall are they now? You could replace it with closely planted, 6ft evergreens that can be sheared into a hedge - it would be expensive to buy half grown trees but you could do it.

Are you allowed to put in a fence? That would help.

I wanted to do that. We planted some arbovitae last year and they haven't grown at all in a year. Not at all (I'm measuring). We spaced them three feet apart. How long will it take for them to actually grow? Maybe I should post that question to the lawn and garden board. I'd like to enjoy the privacy now, not 10 years from now.

I’m on a double yellow and have planted abovitae and not a chance they would survive at 3ft apart. Mine are a good 10ft apart and grow at least 18in a year. Too close and they will quickly choke each other out. I have a row of about 15 fully lining the backyard with a solid green wall.

There’s no chance of this happening anytime soon. Like I said, they haven’t grown an inch, and they definitely get sun where they are (unlike the hedge in front).

[Anonymous]

We bought a property with a rental unit. To create privacy between us and our renter, we bought these green living fence panels and had landscapers install. Instant privacy. They work really well. They can be planted in the ground or in a planter.

https://www.acornfarms.com/responsive/velocity/15AFgreenlivingfences.php

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cars and sidewalk pedestrians. We have a hedge but it’s not growing. I don’t think it gets enough sunlight because they just don’t get taller.

When did you put them in, and what trees did you use? How tall are they now? You could replace it with closely planted, 6ft evergreens that can be sheared into a hedge - it would be expensive to buy half grown trees but you could do it.

Are you allowed to put in a fence? That would help.

I wanted to do that. We planted some arbovitae last year and they haven't grown at all in a year. Not at all (I'm measuring). We spaced them three feet apart. How long will it take for them to actually grow? Maybe I should post that question to the lawn and garden board. I'd like to enjoy the privacy now, not 10 years from now.

You shouldn’t expect them to grow in the first year. Transplanting them, especially if they’re large, is a lot for the plant to deal with. If they’re in a good spot they might grow some this year, and then take off in the subsequent years. If you planted them last year this is the start of their first growing season really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cars and sidewalk pedestrians. We have a hedge but it’s not growing. I don’t think it gets enough sunlight because they just don’t get taller.

When did you put them in, and what trees did you use? How tall are they now? You could replace it with closely planted, 6ft evergreens that can be sheared into a hedge - it would be expensive to buy half grown trees but you could do it.

Are you allowed to put in a fence? That would help.

I wanted to do that. We planted some arbovitae last year and they haven't grown at all in a year. Not at all (I'm measuring). We spaced them three feet apart. How long will it take for them to actually grow? Maybe I should post that question to the lawn and garden board. I'd like to enjoy the privacy now, not 10 years from now.

You shouldn’t expect them to grow in the first year. Transplanting them, especially if they’re large, is a lot for the plant to deal with. If they’re in a good spot they might grow some this year, and then take off in the subsequent years. If you planted them last year this is the start of their first growing season really.

Good to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cars and sidewalk pedestrians. We have a hedge but it’s not growing. I don’t think it gets enough sunlight because they just don’t get taller.

When did you put them in, and what trees did you use? How tall are they now? You could replace it with closely planted, 6ft evergreens that can be sheared into a hedge - it would be expensive to buy half grown trees but you could do it.

Are you allowed to put in a fence? That would help.

I wanted to do that. We planted some arbovitae last year and they haven't grown at all in a year. Not at all (I'm measuring). We spaced them three feet apart. How long will it take for them to actually grow? Maybe I should post that question to the lawn and garden board. I'd like to enjoy the privacy now, not 10 years from now.

I’m on a double yellow and have planted abovitae and not a chance they would survive at 3ft apart. Mine are a good 10ft apart and grow at least 18in a year. Too close and they will quickly choke each other out. I have a row of about 15 fully lining the backyard with a solid green wall.

This really depends on the the exact type of arbor vitae. Emerald Green or North Pole are just fine at 3' apart-they'll grow to 1.5' from cetner so it will be solid. They do need a year or two after transplant to establish roots and need generous water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You mean visibility, traffic noise, or safety?

I would come up with ideas for how your kids would really use the space like rooms - ie, tree swing area, chalk area, rock garden area, wildflower garden, veggie box. Then section the yard off accordingly, I would not do a wall of evergreens along the front-that generally presents security issues and just diminishes curb appeal - but you have your zones you can do some strategic mix of sound and or vision screening of the road.

And... double check what code allows. E.g., Fairfax is very strict about how many square feet of food garden you can have (it's ridiculous), trellis, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cars and sidewalk pedestrians. We have a hedge but it’s not growing. I don’t think it gets enough sunlight because they just don’t get taller.

When did you put them in, and what trees did you use? How tall are they now? You could replace it with closely planted, 6ft evergreens that can be sheared into a hedge - it would be expensive to buy half grown trees but you could do it.

Are you allowed to put in a fence? That would help.

I wanted to do that. We planted some arbovitae last year and they haven't grown at all in a year. Not at all (I'm measuring). We spaced them three feet apart. How long will it take for them to actually grow? Maybe I should post that question to the lawn and garden board. I'd like to enjoy the privacy now, not 10 years from now.

I’m on a double yellow and have planted abovitae and not a chance they would survive at 3ft apart. Mine are a good 10ft apart and grow at least 18in a year. Too close and they will quickly choke each other out. I have a row of about 15 fully lining the backyard with a solid green wall.

This really depends on the the exact type of arbor vitae. Emerald Green or North Pole are just fine at 3' apart-they'll grow to 1.5' from cetner so it will be solid. They do need a year or two after transplant to establish roots and need generous water.

Yes, they’re emerald greens.

[Anonymous]

Don't invest more in landscaping. Instead get over your need for privacy in the front yard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't invest more in landscaping. Instead get over your need for privacy in the front yard.

Well, we don’t have a backyard. So no, I’m exploring ways to get it somewhere outside on my property.