Help selecting best tree for screening

14 years ago

I am about to landscape a new house and need help figuring out what trees to plant. My priorities are the following:

1. Excellent screening. The neighbors house is extremely close to the back lot line and not attractive.

2. Evergreen

3. Prefer not to create too much shade in yard

4. I have PV panels on the roof so I'd like to make sure that the trees don't get so tall that they block the sun.

5. Prefer no fruit dropping

6. Fairly drought resistant and not too tempremental.

7. I'm OK maintaining but not too frequently.

Some suggestions have been: Laurus Nobilis and Prunus Caroliniana, Olea 'Swan Hill'

I am extremely unknowledgeable so any guidance is welcome!!

Thank you

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Comments (5)

gardenapprentice
14 years ago
Crape Myrtles, The dreaded Bradford Pears, Dogwoods (not drought resistant), Weeping Cherry Trees, Kwanzan Trees, Yoshino Flowering tree.
gardener365
14 years ago
I don't know your zone, however, these are suggestions you may follow up upon:
One of my favorites: Escallonia
I also like: Abelia grandiflora

Plants recommended I am not familiar with (Sunset Western Garden Book)
Carissa
Choisya ternata
Cocculus laurifolius
Dodonaea viscosa
Feijoa sellowiana
Garrrya elliptisca
Heteromeles arbutifolia
Leptospermum (most)
Leucophyllum frutescens
Myrica californica
Myrsine africana
Myrtus communis
Nandina domestica
Nerium oleander
Podocarpus
Rhamnum alaternus
Rhaphiolepis
Umbellularia californica
Viburnum tinus
Xylosma congestum

Dax
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scotjute Z8
14 years ago
Your zone, location, and approximate rainfall would be helpful.
Arizona Cypress - evergreen, very drought-tolerant, excellent blue-green color, conical shape, 30-40' tall. Maybe plant one or two at corners of yard. With their cone shape they will put only small amount of shade on roof.
Holly - drought-tolerant, annual trimming possibly, ~15' or so tall, evergreen with dark green color. Several possible varieties.
Junipers - there are a # of native and commerically available non-native that will range in the 12-20' height range. They are usually drought-tolerant, evergreen, dependable trees.
hald
14 years ago
The suggestions you posted, Laurus Nobilis and Prunus Caroliniana, Olea 'Swan Hill' , are all very good ones. I have the Laurus and and the Carolina Laurel Cherry in my back yard. The Laurus is slow growing and seems tough. It is about 20 years old and has never needed any attention. The Laural Cherry is about 25 feet tall. It's natural habit is a very large shrub type screen. It screens my back neighbor perfectly. It's needed extremely low maintenance and has been very drought tolerant. If you decide on the Laurel Cherry be sure to get the tree type, because there are also smaller shrub sizes. Mine grew impressively fast.

I almost planted Swann Hill. Several of my neighbors have. I think they are beautiful, though not a very good screen. They can get large.
fortunecookies
14 years ago
Hi, I live in Palo Alto bay area. This is what I got on my side yard. The fence in the picture is my side fence. Fence from my house is 30 feet. Can I plant a row of Ficus Nitita tree to cover this building? what will be the spacing? what will be the best tree to cover this building? Cherry Laura? Something can reach 40 feet. thanks,