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Natural privacy fence

1559 Views 9 Replies 9 Participants Last post by  TheOtherChris
I'm looking into replacing an old privacy fence at a house I have in town and was thinking maybe a tree or shrub type barrier might be nice. Primary use is visual barrier between the back yards. Any suggestions on what might work in the Midwest with high clay, poor draining soil? Something reasonably fast growing would be preferred.

The thought is to get something planted now while the fence has a few years left and then take the fence out later. Of course just replacing the fence with a new fence is an option also.
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Sounds like you would need something with wide branches down near the base of the trees, like cedars. Are you concerned at all about giving up 15 to 20 feet of yard space in front the property line when the trees grow? And if a shubbery hedge, with keeping it groomed? And if evergreens don't fit into your plan, are you OK with raking leaves in the fall?

Maintaining the visual depth of your yard and reducing gardening work would favor the choice of a replacement fence. Of course, a lot depends on who and what is on the opposite side of the fence, like quality of neighbors, children, and pets.
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Golden goddess or similar clumping bamboo
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Green giant arbovitae. Absolutely perfect for your situation.
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Second the arborvitae.
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Green giant arbovitae. Absolutely perfect for your situation.
Second the arborvitae.
The only issue is what wildlife is around. Maybe that variety is different but deer love arborvitae. Ask me how I know :rolleyes:
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The only issue is what wildlife is around. Deer love arborvitae. Ask me how I know :rolleyes:
Deer don't touch Green giants. I have a row along the property line. Absolutely zero deer damage in 10 years. Other types of Arbs? Oh year, deer candy. Green giants...no.
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Leylands Cypress
They grow 4 feet a year
These were 6 ft tall when I planted them early 19’
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I'm looking into replacing an old privacy fence at a house I have in town and was thinking maybe a tree or shrub type barrier might be nice. Primary use is visual barrier between the back yards. Any suggestions on what might work in the Midwest with high clay, poor draining soil? Something reasonably fast growing would be preferred.

The thought is to get something planted now while the fence has a few years left and then take the fence out later. Of course just replacing the fence with a new fence is an option also.
Forsythia, fast growing and hooved rat proof.
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Green giant arbovitae. Absolutely perfect for your situation.
I planted 60 of the Green Giants last month in staggered 2 rows.
They're only the 1-2 foot size now but they are available much taller.
I set them up with drip irrigation for deep watering with each tree having an emitter ring capable of 2GPH.
They probably won't do much the first year but the plan is to water well during hot summer and next year start fertilizing as well.
As the saying goes:
"First they sleep, then they creep and finally leap."

They say that after the 2nd year the trees are capable of 3-5 feet a year. As they are a cross with the Western Red Cedar the foliage stays at ground level unless pruned. We plan to let them become a green wall and since they're on the North of the house they shouldn't shade the grass much.
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