Perhaps you could hire an architect for just the siting at this time?

Where you have placed the future house gives you the most room, thus most options, to screen things in all directions with trees and larger shrubs. You have ample open space out front for the construction phase.

Things to consider before planting.

Where will the utilities be coming in?

By the time you get to the new house will you be wanting to spend more time out front or in the back. Which side deserves more space?

Where is the driveway most likely to go?

That’s an interesting thought Anglophilia, I hadn’t thought about doing that. I will look into it, Would hate to sink money into landscaping just to tear it out!

Thank you Christopher. Definitely need to give some thought to utilities as we have had our share of tree root and sewer line issues!

Well...there are many things to consider:

--You will be developing what is commonly known as a "flag lot". You will want to check with your local zoning and building juridiction to see if flag lots are allowed, and, if so, what special zoning or building requirements they may have for such lots.

--Needed and required site improvments: required setbacks, other site requirements of your jurisdiction, driveway, garage access, guest parking, utilities (given the distance from street right of way to the rear property, these could be very costly to install), septic, well, surface drainage, adequate space for construction, i.e., materials storage, worker's cars, equipment, room for maneuver, etc.;

--Optimal orientation for the major public spaces of the house--living, dining, kitchen--facing south;

--Desired indoor-outdoor spaces and access;

The issue of visual privacy between the existing house and the future house appears simple on the aerial photo. All that seems to be needed is a row (or two) of crepe myrtles or similar type small trees/large shrubs along the joint property line. If you do add early landscaping, be sure to allow more than enough room on the rear site for construction work and materials.

Good luck on your project.

You know what I am going to say . . . so I will not say it, although you know it.

I have noticed, when some people drive heavy construction equipment, they are very skilled in performing a task around the building under construction. Put that same person in the same piece of heavy construction equipment, and tell them to drive across a vacant two acre parcel that only has one four inch diameter oak tree on it, that oak tree will be flat in ten minutes.

With that said, I would leave all the planting until the drywall is delivered and the concrete apron poured.

Yes it is very possible to experience construction damage to a landscape. I've never seen total devastation, more in the 10% range. Good things is, it's a plant. They are easy to replace. A lot of them will grow back, Sometimes it is even necessary to get ruthless with them.

Thanks Virgil, thankfully the lots are already legally divided and zoned but there will be the issue of running septic lines... we got a quote before purchasing the lot of about $80k. Ouch!!!

Mark, don’t worry. I’m not stupid enough to waste this one of a kind lot on a house I poorly design myself!! I do have my “inspiration” house but will hire out so we get everything done properly, even if that means we build a much smaller house.

It is inevitable that construction will damage a landscape. That's why most properties slated for development have 95% of any trees or brush cleared from where the construction activity is centered....peripheral plantings are generally safe provided they are fenced off and the roots protected. And this is with the indigenous plantings!

Now if you want to go out and spend good money and what may be a serious time investment on trees that are intentionally planted for a 'future' landscape then you better make sure your are siting them far enough away from the footprint of the proposed house and any associated construction activity.

Generally, while planning is a great project to engage in at this time, actual landscaping or planting is best left until after construction - or most of it - has been completed. There is an accepted sequence to these events and following it pretty much assures good results :-)

We’ve hired an architect now despite not being ready to build for a few years. He’ll help us figure out the best site in our 100 acres as it’s going to be cleared for cash cropping and we’d rather not bulldoze the wrong trees! We’re hoping to meet shortly though Mother Nature has not been conducive to this site visit.

Once we figure out the siting we’ll sit down and start the planning. I’m thankful we have time to really sit and think about things. My worst fear is being called on a Monday to pick a countertop to be installed that Friday or some such thing and having to pick all willy nilly then being disappointed with my choices.

Very nice lot Bri! I personally would not plant anything until a pro has laid out the lot and utilities and septic etc and it’s all been approved. Congratulations on your purchase- I get the excitement and I’m sure when things get rolling you’ll get some great advice here!