Thanks all. I want privacy from the busy street, but don't want to create a well concealed break in situation. Our front door is on the other side of the house from where the trees would be. The part of the house that is close to the busy street is covered with a large set of windows (more than 1/2 of the front of the house). I just stood at the front door, and I think it's possible to conceal the window view from the street, and stop it far enough from the curb to see the busy street from the front door. Does that make sense? Is the break in risk centered around the door, or are the large picture windows at risk too?

Any advice re the neighbor?

I agree with all of the above. My preference for a screen is emerald green arborvitae, but they do grow slow, however, if properly planted at full grown, they provide a completely solid wall of green - also all at the same height.

I recently planted some small Leylands. I am doing the same as 22/09. I am planting them five feet apart. They grow fast (like full sign and not too much water) but can get enormous. Either you prune like mad or cut the tree out once they get too big. But I urgently need a screen of trees FAST so I don't have to look into neighbor's bathroom and watch them brush their teeth.

Anonymous wrote:arborvatae

or holly trees:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring/infosheets/evertree.pdf

A long, straight row of any one type of tree is boring. Also, if one gets diseased, and needs to be removed, it will look odd.

Consider planting a mix of native evergreens in a more naturalistic pattern that will still provide a screen. (The leland cypress is not native, ugly and so overdone by the masses of unimaginative people!)

Double check your property lines b/f you plant and distance from the street. Legally I think it has to be at least 6 feet in.

Also be mindful that you're not creating a safety issue for sight-lines for cars and pedestrians as well for your house. (Houses where entrances are hidden from the street are more at risk for break ins.)

Leland cypruses are great screen trees and easy growers. I have some in b/w our home and my neighbors. however they grow to be huge. I am not sure if you would want to grow them close to a street or too close to your home. If you plant evergreen trees be sure to have them backed away from the street or else your county will have them removed.

we put leland cyprus in because we wanted something that would quickly be a great screen. We have been extremely pleased with how well they have done. Our expectation is that down the road we will need to remove a few--- we opted for more trees and an immediate screen, rather than waiting 15 yrs for a great screen.

arborvatae

Any thoughts on what trees to plant for a barrier? It would be from the front of our house to somewhere before the street, along the driveway. (Any input on the appropriate distance from the street to te first tree?) The purpose is to screen out the busier road perpendicular to us. I've heard Leland cypress is good for this, but that they grow very aggressively.

Also, I don't know our next door neighbors well yet (just moved in), but it's a rather close knit neighborhood. Is this something I should mention to him beforehand? I know I don't have to, but I wonder if I should.