Need advice for privacy trees

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Hello all,In my backyard, I have a 80 long 6ft high concrete block wall to the west of my property bordering a fairly busy street. There is also a 70 foot wide wood, good neighbor style fence along the back of my property. I would like some nose reduction from the street, and privacy from my neighbors, and am looking for good privacy trees that will grow very fast.
First off, I live in the Central valley of California, in zone 9.
I've looked at thuja green giant, which grows fast, but in a cone shape, so it will be full in the bottom but not so full on top. I looked at blue Aptos sequioa, which look nice, but may need a lot of watering in my zone.
Any thoughts on these trees, and any ideas for others? Also, what about patterns, as my wife says she doesn't want the same tree all over our backyard?Thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

If space is an issue, a prunable hedge of evergreen shrubs might make the most sense. But it will not be fast (in most cases) and even evergreen plant material will have minimal impact on noise abatement.

The issue with most privacy screening is that you need to have thought about it and planted it at least 5 years before you needed it :-)

I also agree wholeheartedly on bringing in a designer for at least a consultation, if not help with the development of a full landscape plan. It is so worth the modest investment!!

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Comments (6)

uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
7 years ago
In 2012, I ripped out 30 aptos blue redwoods and added red tipped photinia ( on 8 ft. spacing ) where privacy was needed. I could not be happier. Citrus was added where their slower growth was acceptable.

19 of the redwoods exceeded 100ft. And the roots found all the pipes and therefore my wallet. Redwoods are beautiful in the coastal forest and definitely not for the residential yard. Planting redwoods will eliminate the possibility of any landscaping.

BTW Redwoods have destroyed the neighborhoods... dont plant them, cut them down and send the wood to the mill.
carlog thanked uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
Embothrium
7 years ago
Fraser photinia has been plagued by spoiling leaf spot problems over a wide area, rendering it effectively obsolete.
carlog thanked Embothrium
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girl_wonder
7 years ago
Don't plant redwoods! My neighbor had two in his front yard and one crashed down and almost hit another neighbor's house. (the trunk missed it by a foot, the branches tore off the gutters etc). The tree took down a power line and totaled a car. Someone could have been killed. These are not landscaping trees.

(ok, stepping off soap box. breathe, breathe)...

It sounds like you want a hedge. Sunset Magazine's Western Garden book has a section listing diff plants for diff situations. (how much light, water, etc). Some ideas:

--pittosporum

--Italian Buckthorn

FWIW, I love to garden, but have also hired a landscape architect to advice on plant selection. I've made a couple of gardening faux pas (planting the wrong thing in the wrong place). Taking out a tree 5 or 10 years from now is much more $$$ than a consultation today. They can also help with the design and some variety. You should be able to get a referral from a good nursery or your realtor may have referrals.
carlog thanked girl_wonder
carlog
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks, everyone! What do you think about podocarpus?
uncle molewacker z9b Danville CA (E.SF Bay)
7 years ago
podocarpus can reach 80 ft. height - In my opinion - NO! that is too high for a residential yard. They burn easily too (I had two up against a house.. no more trees nor house).

Entomosporium fungus - the culprit for leaf spot on Red Tipped Photinia is not an issue in my yards / plantings here in N. California. I have 7 that have been in place for 35 years. Some in sun, others in nearly full shade. And 9 recent (1-3 year old) plantings as understory. They are fine - and beautiful. The mature plantings were hacked to 8ft tall in 2012 and have returned to 20-22 ft height.

As with any planting, plan for the eventual height of the selected specimen. Hiring a landscape architect is a good plan (although one of them chose 19 redwoods for my yard 35 years ago - dummy).

Have you considered (white) oleanders? These are colorful and drought tolerant. The white variety get the largest / tallest; - I have a dozen of these between 12 and 16 ft high - (and 8+ ft. wide) for privacy. Very low maintenance - as long as you like them at that height. If the 12+ ft is too much for your landscape plan, then choose the pink or one of the other smaller varieties / colors.

Good luck and pictures would always help get the best suggestions.