Screening trees for backyard privacy

[Anonymous]

Do not plant leyland cypress - they don't live more than 15 years and fall at the slightest storm - we had 12 cut down after one landed on the neighbors' car. What we have as privacy screens: Juniperus virginiana (grows in any soil, bushy, beautiful), myrica cerifera (this one grows super fast to 25 ft, doesn't mind wet feet), ilex vomitoria (yaupon) and ilex glabra (inkberry).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our backyard neighbor lost 3 pine trees in the windstorm last winter and now there are no trees between our lots. Our lot is much more shallow than hers and the property line follows along a natural drainage path.

I’d like to find some. Virginia natives, like an evergreen of some sort, to plant that will grow tall but not wide (shallow depth yard between property line and our house). Any ideas?

American Holly. They grow slightly wide. But dense, evergreen, native, and will screen it all out. Just prune it some, if you must.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s hard to beat Leland cypress or arborvitae as a screening tree. Evergreen. Hardy. In the shade they grow very slowly. Around town you might see some that are monsters but they are probably 25-30 years old. Sometimes you just have to start over. But I never see anyone who has cut them down.

Lelands are not great. Not hardy. (And ugly, imo). And prone to fungus/viruses. Once one gets it in the row, they all do.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:arborvitae green giants?

Not native and ugly as sin

If you trim it right, it looks fantastic.

Another NP who hates the look of green giants. Terrible and ugly. As soon as I move in I rip them out.

You move often? Run around town cutting down screening trees? Or only in your mind?

I've moved three times in 11 years all in Moco.

maybe you should see a therapist

I'm good thanks. I've made lots of money with each move. Not sure why that seems like a lot to you, a lot can change job and family wise in a decade.

Who knew people were so attached to their landscaping.

We're all terribly impressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our backyard neighbor lost 3 pine trees in the windstorm last winter and now there are no trees between our lots. Our lot is much more shallow than hers and the property line follows along a natural drainage path.

I’d like to find some. Virginia natives, like an evergreen of some sort, to plant that will grow tall but not wide (shallow depth yard between property line and our house). Any ideas?

American Holly. They grow slightly wide. But dense, evergreen, native, and will screen it all out. Just prune it some, if you must.

But they are so pokey! Or am I thinking of English Holly? I’m not sure but I’m ready to remove ours because they attack me when I’m out gardening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our backyard neighbor lost 3 pine trees in the windstorm last winter and now there are no trees between our lots. Our lot is much more shallow than hers and the property line follows along a natural drainage path.

I’d like to find some. Virginia natives, like an evergreen of some sort, to plant that will grow tall but not wide (shallow depth yard between property line and our house). Any ideas?

American Holly. They grow slightly wide. But dense, evergreen, native, and will screen it all out. Just prune it some, if you must.

But they are so pokey! Or am I thinking of English Holly? I’m not sure but I’m ready to remove ours because they attack me when I’m out gardening.

I don't know English Holly. But the American is a tree, not a shrub. Birds love them. They are a great screen out tree. But, they are a holly and they all have those pointy edges. THe American variety is super beneficial to birds. Hope you don't pull it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our backyard neighbor lost 3 pine trees in the windstorm last winter and now there are no trees between our lots. Our lot is much more shallow than hers and the property line follows along a natural drainage path.

I’d like to find some. Virginia natives, like an evergreen of some sort, to plant that will grow tall but not wide (shallow depth yard between property line and our house). Any ideas?

American Holly. They grow slightly wide. But dense, evergreen, native, and will screen it all out. Just prune it some, if you must.

But they are so pokey! Or am I thinking of English Holly? I’m not sure but I’m ready to remove ours because they attack me when I’m out gardening.

NP. You are thinking of English Holly. Inkberry is great. The straight native version can get a little leggy so consider 'Shamrock' or one of the more dense nativars.

[Anonymous]

schip laurel