Wendy, thanks for that link. I had not seen that site before. Fine Line is an interesting selection, seeing as I've had so much winter burn on arborvitae that I have to go with something else. Plus it is in mostly shade. Which Fine Line does fit the bill for, but I need something that is about 9ft tall. I could take care of my problem quick, with a native vine, Virginia Creeper, but I know I would hate myself later. [g]

Research the narrow growing yews. Last year during an extended drought period, I planted a row of two yews and a tree form crape myrtle with that drifting group replanted in an alternating pattern over a narrow 60 foot long area which runs in the space between a chain link fence and a driveway. I do not remember the cultivar name of the Yews, but they are suppossed to grow much more narrow than even the Hick's or the Plum yews grow. We kept them watered regularly and they are still surviving. These yews are evergreens, which are supposed to grow 10 to 12 feet tall, but can be pruned shorter and spread only about a foot or so. Some are in shade and some are in more sun. The Crape Myrtles that are planted amid them will eventually provide for the yews almost constant shade during the Crape myrtle's growing season. The Yews will also receive quite a bit of part-sun in the winter when the tree form Crape myrtles are dormant. The bed is currently mulched with shredded cedar mulch, and is gradually being fill in with flowering ground cover shrubs that should grow at the feet of the Yews and Cm's along with filling in the area of the currently mulched bed. at the end of the chain link fence and still along the driveway I planted an ornamental and narrow growing, pink blooming, Corinthian Peach tree. At its feet I planted some wave patunias on the north side, a dwarf spirea on the south and so for two Dwarf Yaupon holly on the east side of the the tree. Later on I will extend the bed along the driveway and plant a Black Tupelo tree about 20 feet south of the ornamental peach. Since that tree will be in the front yard area I will be planting the tree on the property line along that narrow side of the driveway, and as it grows and spreads, I plan to keep it pruned up to provide enough space under the canopy for pedestrians and traffic flow on the street which is about 15 feet further south running along the front yard curbing. As of now I have not planned anything further to be planted on that side of the driveway between the ornamental peach and the Black gum, Tupelo tree. Over time though I might change my mind.

blakrab: Thanks for the tip on the Japanese Raisin Tree. That does look intriguing! From checking on a couple of websites, it appears to be drought tolerant and somewhat tolerant of alkalinity although it looks like it may stay a little smaller than I'd prefer. I lived in Japan for a number of years and didn't notice this one. I'll check into it further. gardener365: Thanks for the tips on the Montezuma Cypress and the Shantung Maple. I had been considering the Shantung "Fire Dragon" but wasn't sure if it might stay pretty small. If anyone has gotten some good growth out of these down here in the Austin/San Antonio area, I'd love to hear their successes. Aesthetically, I am not as crazy about the cypress as a tree for the yard, although I like them near water. scotjute: Yes, I am sure you are right that the soil conditions I have will limit the ultimate height of any tree that I plant. I hope to compensate as much as I can early on by top-dressing with compost the first few years. However the reality of a tree trying to grow into that limestone base underneath will kick in. That is a great idea about getting a native Pecan. I wonder if nurseries carry them? I haven't done a lot of searching yet, but they do all seem to be focused on carrying grafted varieties that are good at producing nice nuts. In my case, I really just like the look of a Pecan tree and don't really care what it produces just that it grow vigorously. Do you have any ideas where I can find a decent sized native Pecan down here? Burr Oaks sure do sound like nice trees but I am wanting to steer away from another Oak as I already have a Red Oak and several Live Oaks. It's too bad about those Bigtooth Maples being so finicky, I guess I don't really want to roll the dice and have one not do well. I am not as keen on the cedars although if I was going to get one, I suppose a nice stately Deodar would look good. There is a large grove of 15-20' tall Blue Atlas Cedars planted at the Bass Pro shop on I-10 just NW of San Antonio that look less than totally happy. I am guessing it is just too hot here in the summer for them to do well. Too bad though, since I love to plant one of them! dricha: I have seen Chinkapin Oaks and do like them too, I had not heard of Sierra Red Oak. Does it look or have growth habits that are greatly different than the standard Red Oak? Thanks for the heads up on Fanicks, they seem to be highly regarded. I'll head out there and have a look. lou_midlothian_tx : Thanks for the info on the cypress, they do seem to grow pretty rapidly. I've read some of your posts on growing Shantung and Bigtooth Maples. Your soil at your previous local looked pretty tough from your photos too. What are your thoughts on the ultimate size on the Shantung? I know your posts indicated that your trees were doing well, what sort of growth rates did you get? Mexican Sycamore and a native Pecan still look like pretty good bets for me based on what I am hearing and my preferences. You all please let me know if you have any other suggestions. Thanks!

I consider Thuja Green Giant the absolute best choice for fast growing privacy. They do get big, both tall and wide, but if you plant them as a hedge, say 6ft apart, that does slow down their height a bit. If you want something not as tall, than it can't be fast growing. Trees never stop growing, so if they are fast growing now, they will continue to grow fast in 10 years. You can sheer them to contain the size, but it depends on how much work you want to do and how high you can allow them to grow.