I would contact Kansas forestry service at 785-532-3300 www. Kansas forests.org. They will have some good wind break suggestions.

That particular holly is for zones 6 to 9; that would make it a risk for your zone, especially committing a whole hedge to it.

Also, holly can be invasive (birds spread berries). Try for all males; that will prevent berries.

Would any of the large Arborvitae work for you. Thuja green giant is only Z5-8, but there might be one more tolerant of heat...I dunno.
Do know they make fast growing and attractive screens though.

Bamboo would work in your zone...super fast growing and thick too. It even grows well here in Z6. Some of the running types like to take over though, but not all are that way. Sadly...I think most of the super good screen varieties are.

Not sure this thread is at all related to fruit growing, but I think it is neat that you've got a conversation going⦠which I will now add my two cents to!

Holly and possibly bamboo might not be the best bets if you're in a more arid and windy part of Kansas (ie. Western). This is just based on my experience in NM and CO. Bamboo does not do great in the wind, and can be damaged by zone 6 winters. It can take forever to become established enough to be useful as a screen in any exposed site. You probably have not seen holly planted there because it is a more mesic plant generally.

The only broadleaf evergreen that I can think of for your location would be silverberry, Elaeagnus pungens. It also has edible berries and is a phenomenal honey/pollinator plant. Otherwise you're looking at any number of evergreen coniferous trees and shrubs such as thuja, junipers, cypress, and yew as you mentioned.

fabacae...the OP shows a stated zone 10.

Opening title and post mean more than a 10 by their name.

Orchadace I believe your currently in zone 6 Kansas correct? The department of Kansas has plenty of fruiting wind breaks.

Well, he did say Kansas in the message too, so zone 6 would make sense⦠But you're right appleseed, If it were 10, it would be a very different story indeed (is there anything planted in zone 10 that is NOT evergreen?).

Mildest hardiness zone for Kansas is 7a. For a large long-term project I would want to go 1 or 2 zones (below the stated 6).

Sorry...my bad. I'm so used to looking for the zone data before addressing posts that I totally overlooked the post itself.

At any rate...I still think Bamboo may be a viable option, however I would look for better alternatives. I could show a stand of Bamboo in Z6 out in the open, without wind protection that remains healthy and vibrant and has withstood sub-zero temperatures and incredibly high winds. Many plants rated for Z6 would likely fail or barely get by in it's location.
Having said that, to me, bamboo doesn't quite look right to me...at least not here.

Hi There,

"Bamboo does not do great in the wind, and can be damaged by zone 6 winters. It can take forever to become established enough to be useful as a screen in any exposed site."

My experience is different from the above statement. I've planted bamboo, Phyllostachys Aureosulcata Spectabilis since 2007. It grew to 15 ft in 3 years. By year 5, it's over 20 ft. It establishes very fast.

It does not easily break in strong winds. It has never broken for me. We had 50 mph winds a few times including yesterday. We had lot of snow. It just bends over.

I grows it as a screen between mine and my neighbor backyard. It's a aesthetically pleasing screen.

The only downside is it's a running bamboo. Even with a barrier we put in, it runs, over and under the barrier. If you can put a strong barrier to contain it. It's worth the effort.