Correcting my privacy planting mistake

16 years ago

A few years ago, we planted 6 eastern white pines along the back of our lot spaced about 20' center to center in a straight line. Since then, I've become more "enlightened" and understand that I need to get some variety in there and stagger the plantings. I am also concerned that the lower branches will die off in the future and defeat the purpose. The trees are about 15' high and maybe 10' in diameter.

Will other spruce/pine grow in the partial shade created by the white pines? I would like to plant some smaller trees this fall. In 4-5 years when the new trees were larger, I would probably drop half of the original pines.

Any thoughts on this strategy?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

pineresin
16 years ago
Probably better to find some shade-tolerant shrubs you can grow under them.

Resin
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
boy a picture would help ...

frankly.. if you are willing to sacrifice them ... then start taking a few of the lower branches and plant closer ... and if necessary.. prune some higher branches back .. for the same reason .... you will still have your screening .... etc ..

if i understand correctly .. when the pines are removed.. there wont be shade.. and therefore planting a shade plant is not right??? or did i misunderstand??/

there are so many options....

ken
Related Discussions
Starting from Seeds - Corrections of Mistakes
Q
Comments (5)
I don't think you need to start over, but if that would be reassuring to you, and you have plenty of seeds, that's fine. Could you keep the containers you have and start new ones, also? When I start from seed, I fill the pots with potting mix and soak with water from above until water runs freely out the bottom. If you are trying to conserve water, you can stack the pots so the water flows through them all. Or, you could moisten the soil in a bucket or plastic bag before filling the pots. Gently press the soil to avoid settling later. Then sprinkle the seeds on top and press them into the soil, or cover with a sprinkle of soil. Cover with plastic wrap, but poke a few holes in the plastic to allow for some air and moisture exchange. Place the containers where the temperature will be around 75F, and ideally in bright light. I agree with the previous poster that you should provide some shade if you are placing your containers outside in extreme temperatures. Once most of the seeds have sprouted, remove the plastic and allow them to grow. I usually plant my seedlings out in the ground, so I can't advise you on fertilizers or other details relevant to container growing. I hope that helps. Martha
...See More
Help me correct a HUGE rose mistake
Q
Comments (14)
Husband neither bought nor planted? A suitable replacement might be a solution even if it involves a lot of digging? If you like the fragrance, Hansa is a good option, and doesn't sucker like the species at all. Neither does Mrs Anthony Waterer, and she has very good fragrance too. If it is the simple flowers you like, Fru Dagmar Hastrup, Carmen and others can provide this. You can check out if the rugosa hybrids that happen to be available near you might meet your requirements. There are lots of well behaved shrub varieties, but very few other than rugosas can offer fragrance, rebloom and hips all in one plant. If it is the thorns you like the least, go for something else than rugosa, they all have them. Best of luck with your decision :-)
...See More
Need Help Correcting Last Year's Mistakes
Q
Comments (7)
There isn't a mistake you've mentioned that we probably all haven't done too, so don't feel bad. I live in the burbs, so I ammended all my beds when we initially landscaped with adapteds and exotics that needed alot of TLC. Now that I've changed to WELL adapteds and natives, they got the benefit of ammended soil. I have clay too. You probably don't really need to ammend you soil - as your garden matures and you use leaves and mulch, and tend to your microherd and earthworm population, they will do that work for you over time. What I've done with areas that retain too much water or is poorly drained, is to plant things in those places that like, or can tolerate poorly drained soil. They are out there, you just have to research them and try them. When transplanting plants that are too close together, I usually wait until I see new growth in spring and dig as much of the root system as I can get and then replant. You'll need to water those regularly just as if you were planting new plants. Give them a soil drench at planting time with some liquid seaweed or Miracle Grow, or whatever you use as a liquid fertilizer. If they are a deciduous shrub, cut them back about a 3rd to compensate for lost roots. Not knowing what plants you've planted I can't say when you should start seeing new growth. I've got things popping up now in DFW, but I also have some that I know won't start showing growth till April or so. I would think at least some of your perennials should start showing some new growth now. Not ever grown a Texas Mountain Laurel, so can't help with that one. Part of the fun of gardening is trying things to see what works, and remembering the failures so you don't repeat. Just make it fun and don't fret over the failures - just carry on.
...See More
Help Correcting Dish Garden Mistake
Q
Comments (15)
Kat, are your plants outside most of the year? I'm in SW Florida - Cape Coral. The Miracle Gro cactus and citrus mix was too water retentive for my plants. Even when I tried cutting it 50/50 with perlite it held too much water. And because of the peat, when it dried out in winter I couldn't get it wet again, so the roots were dry. In short, it didn't work for me. We are too humid and the soil didn't dry out in the summer. This summer I had everyone potted in the gritty mix. I left them outside all summer and they did well in spite of the heavy rains. I just thought I'd share my experience with you. BTW - I bought a new half inch drill bit for my pots and had so much fun I was looking for stuff to drill! My husband was afraid to stay still for very long. LOL
...See More
mehearty
16 years ago
I don't understand what you mean by enlightened? If they're growing nicely & giving you privacy, why the need to take some out & plant trees that most likely won't be large enough for privacy?

If you're thinking in terms of design, I would leave the beautiful trees for privacy as a back drop to a nice shade garden (assuming they're blocking some sun). You could plant some wonderful hydrangea in front of those trees for starters. The list is endless.
stubborn1
Original Author
16 years ago
My intent is to add some variety - I want to mix it up a little. Maybe some Black Hills Spruce, Colorado Greens & Blues, etc. I want to start the trees now and have them get established and growing before I loose a few of the pine.

Here's two pictures of the tree line. It runs pretty much straight west-east.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/rmyers76/Landscape/trees003.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h209/rmyers76/Landscape/trees002.jpg
conifers
16 years ago
The strategy is sound. I can see the "enlightenment" of not only having diversity in your plantings but, also the less of chances to harbor one insect that could wipe out your entire screen (although probably not too likely to occur, but yes I can understand either way).

I don't think any conifer would be that intolerant of part shade so plant as you wish. Two understory conifers that come to mind however, which are those that are in a fair amount of sun when seedlings in their natural habit are: Picea engelmannii and Picea mariana. Or, mariana simply tolerates shade very well, it's one or the other.

I'd definitely go for some skinnier trees and ones I like are:
Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika)
Picea omorika 'Pendula'
Picea engelmannii 'Lace' or 'Bush's Lace'
Picea abies 'Virgata'
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Pendula'
Picea omorika 'Pendula Bruns'
Picea engelmannii 'Snake'
Cedrus deodara 'Shalimar' is always worth a try (Zone 5)
Ginkgo biloba 'Fastigiata' / 'Princeton Sentry'
Larix occidentalis
Taxodium distichum 'Shawnee Brave'
Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Ogon'
Picea glauca 'Pendula'
Abies balsamea 'Weeping Larry'
Abies balsamea
Abies alba 'Green Spire'
Abies veitchii 'Pendula'
Abies balsamea 'Cooks Blue Improved' (Seedling Strain)
Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidal'
Pinus resinosa 'Fastigiata'
Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Sheridan Spire'

Acer japonicum 'Lovette'
Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain'
Acer rubrum 'Red Rocket'

Dax
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
forget diversity for now... plenty of space to plant things in between ....

so that in 5 years or so ... you have replacements thriving ....

beware though .... take them down while you still have the ability to do it yourself .... they will become telephone poles in 10 or 20 years .... at least yours dont appear to be too near any house .. as mine are ...

you have a lot of yard there... why not start a collection in front of them ... as dax suggested ...

good luck

ken

Correcting my privacy planting mistake

Comments (6)

pineresin

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

Related Discussions

mehearty

stubborn1
Original Author

conifers

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Correcting my privacy planting mistake

Comments (6)

pineresin

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

Related Discussions

mehearty

stubborn1Original Author

conifers

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

stubborn1
Original Author