I am still a novice in this field and have learned a lot of what i know from these forums. That said i can speak specifically to your question. Over the last 4 years i have planted a lot of trees at the rear of my property to screen an unsightly parkway. Like you my objective is/was fast growing,low cost, dear resistent. I have planted mostly green giants and leyland Cypress, some smaller from big box stores and some large 6/7 footers with huge rootballs from a professional nursery. My observations are as follows....... The cypress start out slow and then accelerate rapidly, the deer have nibbled on them from time to time but nothing drastic. The " single leader" theory mentioned above comes into play, because mine are not single the snow can create splitting problems. The GG grow reasonably fast at a consistant rate. The deer have never touched them, supposedly they are considered somewhat deer resistent, so i have been told? Some 2/3 footers i planted 4 years ago are just now starting to become "reasonable screen" if you want immediate results i would go with 6/7 foot GG from a professional nursery because you might not find them in the big box. I WOULD NOT go with the emerald green if you have a deer problem because based on what i have wittnessed from my neighbors trees they are number ONE on the deers choice list. Please note i am in southern new york state zone 6 ? And everything i have planted is in good soil AND in a sun drenched area, i do not beleive any of the afforementioned will flourish in limited sun. I have fould my best deals in the big box stores late in the fall planting season. As mentioned above bamboo might also be an option but i have found that to be ridiculously EXPENSIVE. Perhaps the more experienced members might have something to add. On that note..... Is it possible to train a Cypress into a single leader? (Also- i realize that this is not the proper forum but i am interested in some sort of annual that will climb on lattice and does not need a lot of sun, morning glory was mentioned above, i would like to learn more, could you please direct to proper area? ) Thanks

Please use the new posted list, thanks.

Bravo, Ginny! I think proper usage can be a difficult matter. On one hand, there are sloppy and ignorant (not meant in the pejorative sense) writers, and, depending on the formality of the situation, it irks us greatly to see them misuse the language. We certainly do not wish to be similarly guilty of irking others. On the other hand, it is all too tempting to try to formulate all-encompassing rules and to apply them faithfully, almost dogmatically. Real usage takes more discernment and judgement, and compassionate listening takes some tolerance. (On a side note, I am becoming convinced as I age that this same principle -- rules are easier and useful, discernment is harder and better -- is active in many other domains, including, but not limited to, office politics and morality.) Let me close with a wonderful quote from George Polya: Pedantry and mastery are opposite attitudes toward rules. To apply a rule to the letter, rigidly, unquestioningly, in cases where it fits and in cases where it does not fit, is pedantry ... To apply a rule with natural ease, with judgment, noticing the cases where it fits, and without ever letting the words of the rule obscure the purpose of the action or the opportunities of the situation, is mastery. -George Polya, mathematician (1887-1985)

Thanks guys! As I recall the Pendula was very much rootbound and overgrown for the container size when I bought it. It was definitely the oddball of the group which is why I bought it and originally referred to it as the ‘abominable snowman’. It has been fun watching the leader form and grow this year (may still be growing). Your trees, layout, and clean look serve as great inspiration cb!