Maybe you could get a Fremontodendron to grow in that spot. Those develop pretty quickly, produce conspicuous flowers that would provide a distraction in season. Otherwise, maybe some other California native, small evergreen tree.

Peachy, what part of California are you in? I understand a lot of micro climates exist there. Missouri mostly if something grows anyplace in the state it will grow anyplace else. Are you up in the dry hills?

My first choice is to find an understory tree. Something which naturally grows near the oaks out there. My Missouri recomendations would be dogwood or redbuds.

Nice plot of land btw and nice oaks.

I wish I had such problems.

Nevertheless, in that ecosystem with those requirements you need to consult The Bible Sunset and look at their list for plants that resist oak root fungus and go from there. Fremontodendron will cover the wheel wells of the tractor if you're lucky.

Dan

A Fremontodendron in Sequoia National Forest was 25' tall in 2003. Speaking of Sunset:

Fast-growing plants with a typically irregular shape, reaching 20 ft. tall...

They also note, however, that these are

Usually short-lived

Maybe plant something like this (a large-growing Ceanothus might be another possibility) for quick relief while a more sedate but permanent tree comes along behind, to eventually take over.

from the angle of the pic, a tree about 15' tall should cover most of your neighbor's driveway and house.

im guessing SoCal area, looks pretty hot and dry out there.

since you mentioned fruit trees/orchard, you could try fig or pomegranate, both of which do well in drier areas. most dont get huge like oaks.

Thank you everyone!

I'm in Sonoma County, in the North Bay Area, Sunset zone 14. Are you sure 15'-20' would be enough? I was thinking more along the lines of 30-40', but I'm really bad at estimating how large things are/need to be. My Mother's top choice would be a Mimosa tree because we see them around town doing so well and they are beautiful. I've heard that mimosas tend to create lots of seedlings, but our neighbor has a mimosa tree and we haven't noticed any seedlings on our property in the 5 years we've been living here. We have a fig tree already, it's actually further up the field and from the right angle it does exactly what I want the new tree to do. I could plant a different fruit tree there, but I was under the impression it would need a larger tree than I had planned on putting in my orchard. Although nut trees tend to grow pretty large, maybe a walnut would be good?

I'll have to check my Sunset book again, I looked under 'Plants for growing under oaks' and they only listed shrubs, perennials, etc. Further study told me I should absolutely not plant a Bay Laurel tree, but other than that I'm still pretty clueless. I will return to my Sunset guide, and maybe stop by the 'tree farm' that is close to my house. They have a vested interest in selling me something but are very knowledgeable about growing trees in this area, so it should be helpful.

Thanks again, I will return with a list of potential trees I'm thinking of ; )

You'll be able to see right through a silk tree for half the year. If a deciduous tree IS what you have in mind try a California buckeye, that is the first thing I thought of, but did not suggest due to the lack of evergreen foliage.

CA buckeye much better than flannel bush, but as noted deciduous.

Nonetheless, from the text, are we to guess your mom is in Sonoma as well? If so, what about incense-cedar?

Dan

Yes, sorry, we are both in Sonoma I live down the street from her and keep my veggy and fruit gardens at her house because she has more sun and space.

The incence-ceder is gorgeous but I think it might be a little too tall, I was hoping for a tree that would grow to 40' max.

How about these:

California Black Walnut - Juglans californica
Catalina Cherry - Prunus lyonii
American Cherry Laurel - Prunus caroliniana
Russian Olive - Elaeagnus angustifolia
Washinton Thorn - Crataegus phaenopyrum
Pawpaw - Asimina triloba

Pawpaws take more water than I was thinking for the spot, but I added them to the list because I already have two that I'm planning on planting in my orchard. Some of these trees are larger and some are smaller, I'm still not sure exactly how large a tree is going to need to be to block the view nicely. My mother also mentioned Dogwoods, but I'm pretty sure they also tend to need regular water, I guess the Pacific Dogwood is more drought tolerant but I'm not sure how quickly they grow.

Thoughts?

Russian olive is one of the worst invasive pests in the country. Pawpaw needs too much water for that spot. If you don't like the size of the incense cedar, then walnut is out. The Prunus l. might work as well as the Crataegus.

Dan

the prunus lyonii might work well for you. you might also consider myrica californica (waxmyrtle) and lyonthamnus (catalina ironwood) as well as arbutus unedo or a. marina (strawberry trees) all are evergreen and should be drought tolerant once established (the waxmyrtle might want more water than the others in the long haul). decidious trees like the walnut, russian olive, and pawpaw will not provide the same kind of sustained screening you might want.

you might also consider cupressus glabra (smooth arizona cypress) often sold as the cultivar "blue ice"---nice foliage color, relatively compact shape and size, attractive bark, and drought tolerant once established. you could also use the california natives c. forbesii (tecate cypress) or c. bakeri (baker cypress)with simular character.