fast growing plants as privacy screen

[D rock]

I was having a problem with break ins at one of my apartment complexes.

Some teenagers had torn down a 6 foot chain link fence at the back of the property to have a short cut to get to school and get in to the apartments and get out. I had 250 Elaeagnus planted along that fence line. They are a great screen, grow very fast, and have spikes that grow hidden by foliage.

Needless to say, now they have made a barrier that NO body wants to walk through.

 

[brownbagg]

Another mention for Leyland Cypress trees. I planted these only five years ago. The fence is a standard 4 foot tall. You can’t see (or hear) the next door neighbor.

those are not leland, its a cypress, because i have them too, but a leland is a fat cypress it grows tall but not that skinny. I have both, and they are both good. Those you have will grow thirty feet while a leland will top out at about 18-20

those you have are of the Emerald Green Arborvitae family.

 

[Clik]

I used to belong to the American Bamboo Society.

There are hundreds of varieties and one for every situation you can think of.

I have some that spreads quickly and becomes very thick but it never exceeds three feet high. Then I have another variety that runs long distances by runners and grows twenty feet high.

Both are easy to control by simply mowing the lawn. I've got it spreading long distances through the woodline behind my house and interspersed with the natural deciduous trees but it never grows out into the mowed area.

I'm in Maryland. I'm sure it would grow quickly in your area.

There are varieties of giant bamboo that are grown for timber.

 

[shannonw]

Florida?

Areca Palms!, they're awesome privacy screens

example..

http://blueskylandscaping.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Areca-palms.jpg

I've got them lining the side drive and carport...i picked them up small maybe few feet high, some deal at home depot. But 1 or 2 rainy seasons they are really starting to fill in. Green year round, don't use a lot of water but you need to water them to speed up the growth...can't wait until they get a bit bigger i'll finally have privacy from nosy neighbors when i'm putzing around in the carport.

But with any palms check the hardiness zone if you're in part of florida that is prone to freezes. They do drop a lot of fonds...but i have large florida oaks so that's a lost battle anyways..once they get a moderate size they look more full.

Not sure where you're at but look around, if close to st. pete, kens palms! Cash only and 1/2 the price anywhere else..but only open for palms about 6 months out of the year. But buying a lot...you'll save 50%

 

[shannonw]

20-30 ft though may be a stretch ...no idea how fast or long it would take to get that high..they do get big though, i've seen them around the neighbor wood easily 10-15 foot. Might check out others mentioned here:http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/38367/#b

 

[Jere]

If there is a fence or some lattice around english ivy, or grape vines are what are used around here.

 

[Tucko]

Bamboo!!! I have many varieties planted here. In your case, I'd suggest some Oldhami timber bamboo. Grows in a clump, and get's VERY tall. My neighbor's is at over 70' tall now, and mine is starting to get up there as well. Looks good all year round.
http://www.bamboohq.com/

 

[AnEv942]

...

I'm not seeing the height mentioned needed? I'm thinking cedar, like in a fence across the back would be my first project, blocking the parking lot. But in the picture, judging by side fence and shed- looks more like the bulk, if greenery used, would be 15' down. Windows on the far right?
Oh-have you been inside the class rooms?-See the view & what actually can be seen.

 

[avrilbennet]

Not exactly garage related but they will be used to make my future garage build and backyard more private. I'm trying to decide what to plant that will grow tall but not scattered all over the place. I want something that will create a thick privacy screen yet take up a semi small footprint. Bamboo is the only thing I can think of. I'm in Florida so it has to be something that'll look good year round.

my dad has an Arizona cypress in our yard and within likr 5 years its nearly 25ft tall but used a large footprint as it grows. The only issue with bamboo is will it spread? I think there are certain types that are used for privacy screens that will grow more in a line rather than just grow wild.

The width of my yard I want to cover is about 75 feet and I want the plants to go at least 25 30 feet or higher, as my back "neighbor" is a school and from their 2nd story its very easy to see directly into my back yard, porch, etc.

Any ideas would be great!

I am a gardening lover. If you want trees which are fast growing and provide instant privacy then you should go for Fagus Sylvatica. I too have this hedge behind my garage. It is best for screening.

 

[L5wolvesf]

Looks like gracilis bamboo is non invasive. Im trying to figure out what type of bamboo is growing on my rental property

My understanding is that there are 2 types (at least) of bamboo. some spreads and some grows in "clumps". The gracilis may be the "clumping" type.

 

[glentre]

Leland cypress, the one that looks like Christmas trees, grows fast but they don't live very long.

 

[Charlie51]

Whatever you do, don't plant "Mexican Bamboo" which is really Japanese knotweed. I bought some vacant lots several years ago that were overgrown with it. I finally got some lawn after 4 years of grubbing it out and mowing...and 20-plus years later, it's still trying to come back. It laughs at all forms of herbicides. I've actually seen it in a gardening book recommending it for a "quick screening" of unwanted views.

 

[flan]

Anyone do the hybrid willow poplars? Supposed to be fast growing and have a life of about 30 years. Didn’t know how they compare to the Lombardy poplars.

 

[cgall]

I had a number of blue spruce but they kept dying in 8-10 years, talked to an arborist and ended up getting the green giants. Hard to find the 6 footers up here.

 

[machsnell]

Old thread from 2013 but green giants or cedar cedar all the way. One narrow one wide. Leylands are the Bradford pear of evergreens. Totally 1990s. Both bad choices.

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[Slednut]

I grew Arborvitae, they grow around a foot a year. We have around 200 of them on the property. You don't have to trim them but it looks a lot better when you do.

 

[mikegt4]

Arborvitae are the trees of choice around here. There are many different types, some low and thick, others are tall thin cylindrical trees that grow fast.

This database may help find what works for you.
https://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/

 

[67carl]

Oleander. They plant that stuff in the dry hard scrabble median between highways here in California and it grows gangbusters. I have it in my backyard to screen one neighbor. Grows fast, tall, can be cut and shaped aggressively without hurting it. Can take crazy heat.

 

[jabberwoki]

Clumping bamboo is your friend. Does not spread , available in many sizes to suit your needs.
Done deal.

 

[velocipede]

Beware of Oleander....highly toxic.

 

[TTMotorsports]

Any suggestions for phoenix az? Have 300ft of fence I want to cover.

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[Ray-CA]

Carolina Cherries...............

Very fast growing

Ray

 

[ken275]

I know this is an old thread but for central or west Florida southern red cedar. Its native for the area. I planted over 100 3 gallon trees on a fence line that borders a road. They're all 8'-10'+ in less then 4 years.

 

[McFarmer]

Probably been said already.

But fast growing generally means short lived.

 

[machsnell]

I keep trying to think of fast growers that have short life spans. Not sure I agree with that statement.

Poplars grow fast and live long and get huge. As do oaks and maples.

Green giants are a newish hybrid but their parent western red cedars live for over 1000 years so that doesnt fit. Redwoods.

Bamboo not only doesnt die it cant be killed.

Leylands yes they **** and die quickly.

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