I originally posted this in the wrong forum... here is a link to that thread if you are interested in reading the back story:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/100-privacy-screen-of-trees-dsvw-vd~4146125

questions and answers from the other post.

- photo one is looking do west.

- i purchased the trees from a nursery and they will do the install.

- our goal is privacy for the back yard.

If possible, I'd like to see a different and more complete perspective. A sketch is attached to help explain what I'm asking for. Would like you to line the camera up with a line that cuts perpendicularly through the 100' run of proposed trees. (I'm imagining that will also cut through the left portion of the pool deck.) With the camera at the pool deck, take a battery of slightly overlapping photos that show the entire proposed tree planting area. Include some space beyond each end so we can see what the line of trees is connecting to.

My wife Ann-Marie is going to take those pictures for you this morning... we anticipate the view staying open to the left of the barn (south) ..... Thanks already... stand by for pics

Panoramic Photo

Center (west)

Left (south)

Far Left (South)

Right (North)

Far Right (North)

Thanks for the better views. You'll get great advice in this forum. Honestly, I have no specific plants suggestions, but I definitely second floral's point from the previous posting .... plant groups of trees, which will create small "forests" and would be more in keeping with the landscape. A row of trees is what one often sees in developments where folks want to provide privacy, so they plant trees like soldiers along fences or property lines. Boring!

Planing and careful placement will help you develop a landscape that enhances the magnificent view and also gives your family a reason to use that part of the property. A small forest or glen that hides the garage and apartment complexes would add interest and be a fun place for the kids to meet and play.

one consideration is that we would like it to be blocked in the winter as well... Our kitchen, breakfast nook and bedrooms all look in that direction.....

In talking to my neighbor... There is no plan to put anything to the left of the barn that will obstruct more of the view....

Here are three potential general strategies for screening the span:

A. an upward arching screen with taller material toward the center;

B. a swag screen with taller plant material toward the ends;

C. Uniform height material across the span.

None of them is a comment about the plant material or style of the plant material, other than height.

I would rule "A" out right off the bat. Adding the greatest height at the center seems oppressive to the view considering it is much taller than for what is needed to cover the offending objects.

At "C", a straight tall "hedge" seems a bit stiff compared to the surroundings. Again, it's overkill on the height needed to cover undesirables at the neighbor's property.

For me, "B" seems like the best fit in that it's isn't way overkill on height, where the height transitions acceptably to the large existing trees, and has the best potential for a "naturalized" look. I got the impression you're after that due to mixing of species.

I don't know the arrangement you have in mind with the material you've already bought, but I don't think that combination is a winning collection for any of the strategies.

Also, it's surely not going to cover the span you have. Also, I don't necessarily think you need solid screening. It would be optional based on your particular needs and desires.

Sorry for disappearing... Friday evening my son was climbing in the Cherry Trees when he slipped and fell to the ground breaking both of his arms :(.. Luck for all of us he has no head injuries but has to go in for surgery this am to set the one arm that had a severe break.... Long road of recovery for him :( :( 6 weeks with both arms in casts will not be fun...

Opening day for fall baseball was on Sunday, he is heartbroken since he is the starting catcher....

On the trees, I love the idea of "B", if you look at the barn we will not have to block to the left (as you look at it) since the way the hill rolls off we do not see any of their stuff, it is all over the hill... If we wanted to preserve that, what would you do? As I stated I bought some trees on sale that are being put in this week... 2 Norway spruce and 8 Green Giant Arborvitae.... they are coming to install those on Thursday this week... how do you recommend starting with these...

Also, the opening in the fence is irrelevant

John, no need to apologize about the absence. It's on your schedule. Sorry to hear about your son and his bad misfortune. Two broken arms ... that's a bum deal! Best of luck to him on healing.

There is general rule in landscaping that when the number of plants in a group can be detected and are arranged in rows, that number shall be ODD, and the larger "half" shall go in the back row. So you would not pick 2 Norway spruce, but 3 ... or if you only needed 1, then 1. You would not pick 8 arborvitae, but 3, 5, 7 or 9, depending on how many you needed for the length of the arrangement. If you planned to arrange them in a single line, I think it's going to work against a more "natural" looking arrangement and the idea or having mixed plants. If it was a single line, I think you'd be better off using a single species. (It could be a spruce at each end and a row of arborvitae connecting them. but personally I think that would look a little dorky. The arborvitae seem too tall -- overkill -- to make the entire row out of them.

You could do a group of arborvitae at one end and a group of spruce at the other and fill the center with a lower plant (something bushy, not skinny and flat.) You could do 3 spruce and 5 arborvitae. You don't have a third plant yet. How many it would take would depend on the plant. I don't think you said where you are. You would need to say in case people wanted to make plant recommendations. Many deciduous plants, once they develop, can provide enough screening or "filtering" of the view. Given the distance of the neighbor's house, I would not be rigid about needing something evergreen. If you are, it may limit your plant choices severely.

Oh no on your son's accident! Bummer!

But I couldn't help but see the irony:. You are planting more trees for him (hopefully not) to fall out of.

i agree that small groupings of trees will be far more interesting than a row, maybe providing glimpses of a far-off view up the hillside.

We are located in Northern Virginia. Round Hill. zone 6.5-7

I do not need to cover the entire line. just from the Barn to the right... I was thinking about putting the norways in front of the barn, middle by the opening and running the GGA over as far as they will go to tie into the cherries... i will come back next year and add something in front..

I think I understand your objective now. Why do you evenwant the arborvitaes? They are much taller than needed and give the effect of a wall for you to use them in a single-file line. A tall wall the same height as the spruce. I think something lower and bushier would be better. You only need it to get 15' tall.

In groups of like material. Don't alternate or mix them up. First a group of spruce, then a group of arborvitae. If the spruce need to be at the center of the run, it would be OK to do a group of arborvitae on either side.

In the future do the planning before the shopping. :-)

Check for comments on the types selected over at the Tree forum. Lots of people there who can comment on diseases, pests, longevity, etc.

I know, I know.... but we did get are really good deal....

Actually the reality was we trusted the guys at the Nursery.. After we pulled the trigger we started getting nervous about it and than this happened..... Lesson learned... I have never had to worry about planting trees, I have spent my whole life in areas where you had to clear them.... this is a first... Lets see what we have in 3 years :)

Would something like this work? I can stagger front to back and fill int he gaps later with some color maybe fruit trees?

Don't laugh at the tree types, this is just so you had an idea of what i was thinking... get the background screen in, then add some color in the front with whatever trees, shrubs make sense.

Your first picture of the more-or-less staggered double row would work. But I would make it just that ... a staggered double row with consistent and uniform spacing.

The second picture would probably not work out well over time. All of these plants will develop considerable width and the trees would begin shading out the bottom of the spruces, with the latter losing foliage at the bottom. Also, mixing a collection of spaced-apart trees would look a bit hodgepodge stretched out in front of the background screen. It would be better to have the screen at the section where you need it, and have the fruit trees, etc. where you don't need so much screening ... so the groups are side-by-side rather than one group in front of another.

Two Questions.... Do you think we should add another (3rd) Norway. I may be able to get them to throw an extra on the truck if I catch them early enough.... My thought was three Norways in the middle (unless you think the third should be other than Norway (we are looking for fast growth to block the above). We can stagger them two in the back one forward... Put 3 GGA to the left and 5 to the right... this will serve as the screen.....

Thoughts? (you got me stuck on the rule of 3).....

second question, If I used the GGA and NS at the flanks what would you fill the middle with?

I would definitely do a third norway and plant them in a well spaced grouping ... 2 at the back, one front and center ... as has been pictured above by myself and Vstvay.

Since I later found my understanding of where the flanks are, was wrong, I would disregard that long screen flanked by tall material. I think you can use the arborvitaes to flank the norways.

There isn't one exact right solution to this problem. There are things to avoid (like mixing up and alternating) If you want recommendations for specific plants, I would suggest post in the forum for your REGION or for trees, or shubs. Some so-called "shrubs" can become very large and you only need 15'. It is the shrub FORM that screens at the ground ("first floor") level. The tree form has exposed trunks and does not screen what is low. It screens 2nd floor level and above.

It's too late now since I'm sure the plants are in the ground, but keep in mind in the future that when a business says 'no returns' it doesn't always mean they won't do 'exchanges'. As long as the business gets to keep what you've paid them, or maybe make more, I've found they're willing to work with you.

John,

No one has suggested Cryptomeria japonica for your situation. There are a number of excellent named varieties. It is a beautiful evergreen tree which remains branched to the ground. This is important for your project. Also, it presents a soft outline to the sky and surrounds. Long-lived, quite narrow in growth, pleasing appearance when grouped together. Research and give this suggestion some serious thought.

While I could split hairs on a couple of things that wouldn't matter to you, I think you'll be thrilled with the result because it will do everything you need and want. It will look like a beautiful, natural screen. It will not be long before the barn disappears!

oh, no.... split hairs I want to hear it.... They were supposed to do 3 on th left and 5 on the right... some how i wound up with even numbers.... fire away....

Each group of like plants should be odd numbers. Each group should begin/end with plants at the back row; the front row has one plant less for each group. There should be some degree of separation between each group. Also, within a group, the spacing should be uniform. Most of these things matter only during the period before they grow together, when tidiness (or lack of it) shows. Once they grow together, it will just look like more of nature.

Actually there are 3 Norways (3,4,5 from the left) I set them 10' apart staggard with two back. They were supposed to put 3 GGA on the left and 3 GGA and 5 on the left but for some reason skipped a flag and put 2 and 6, they also set the first GGA to the left and the right back instead of staggard forward based on the norways... I spaced the GGA 6' apart...

I have to admit that even with the young trees when looking up the hill your eyes are now drawn the the trees not the barn... SUCCESS... In a few years it will be perfect.... I look forward to enhancing this crop of trees come spring... Stand by for more silly questions and thank you for all your support and guidance...