Whenever I see an posting that allows me to think 'barrier' to sigh, sound, whatever, I immediately think of bamboo.

ETA: 10 different types of bamboo | Better Homes and Gardens - Don't get bamboozled and know the different types of bamboo - by Better Homes and Gardens

Thank you. I called a local nursery to get a Clumping, non-aggressive, variety of Bamboo. The nursery said, "There is no such thing as non-aggressive Bamboo. It might seem like a good quick fix initially, but all types of Bamboo have long term ramifications. Especially in unsupervised parts of your woods or fields. Even the Clumping type is still aggressive. And it Will take over. You will have an Asian themed corridor entering your Farm." I could mow the sections along the driveway, controlling the spread of bamboo in that area. However the parts in the woods, left unattended, would eventually take over our woods and fields...

An aggressive vine would climb up the existing trees and grow over the jet skis. Maybe Aristolochia durior? When it comes to vines, be cautious about your choice. Aggressive really means aggressive.

Actually the clumping type of bamboo is no more likely to take over than rose of sharon, or a forsythia or other commonly planted ornamental.

I'm speaking of Fargesia, which is the only clumping type I've grown. I agree probably planting running types out there...would be a bad idea.

Personally, since you're limited to clumping types (imo), I don't think bamboo really offers a solution.

Probably the absolutely easiest thing to do is do like someone suggested and utilize vines. The fastest (native) I can think of is virginia creeper, but while it will engulf the tree, it won't do much with regards to screening between trees.

Wow...I don't know.

Whoever made the comment about the bamboo obviously was not very familiar with it. Clumping bamboo is no more "aggressive" than any large growing ornamental grass....which is exactly what it is. And a whole lot less aggressive than some of those!! It just extends itself in slowly expanding clumps, is completely manageable and also quite cold and shade tolerant (any Fargesia species). It will NOT take over!! In fact, expansion of these clumps is a lot slower than many growers would prefer.

I also do not understand the comment about an "Asian themed corridor".........there are US native bamboos. To immediately assume that all bamboo is Asian in origin is just another indication of the nursery people having no idea what they are talking about. Unfortunately, an all too common situation.

Clumping bamboo makes an excellent, although slow to establish, evergreen privacy screen. Otherwise I'd look at some other fast growing, shade tolerant broadleaved evergreen shrubs....perhaps cherry laurel or Aucuba japonica.

You know...if the moisture levels are there, maybe the native bamboo (arundinaria) is a solution. It's a running bamboo, thus can easily make the area non-navigable in a few years, but since it's all over your area, no problem in planting it as a non-native invasive.

Ya want something thorny. I am researching this myself. Blackberry brambles. Greenbriar, that's a native thorny vine, just find some on your property and encourage it to grow there. Pasture rose, scientific name Rosa virginiana. Does not love shade but will grow in it. Perhaps some type of hawthorne, but those you will have to special order. Small red cedars, Juniperus virginiana. Native juniper can tolerate some shade. Devil's walking stick and prickly ash.

As for your native bamboos, find the scientific name of the type you want and insist on verification that you are getting that type. Again, probably have to special order.

If you have a creek nearby with bamboo stands, you can simply (though not easily) dig you some starts out of it. I know Tennessee has lots of creeks :)

Wow, what a mess you've moved next door to. Bamboo was my first thought also. I hate to recommend this, but does pampass grass grow well and stay evergreen in your climate? It would form an impenetrable thicket in no time and might actually keep the neighbor's dogs out.

For the jet skis, Rosa rugosa or one of the large, old-fashioned forsythia since it's sunny. Though both are deciduous, IME both will grow densely enough that they block things well in the winter, and both will fill in relatively quickly in plant time.

I might think about white cedar/arborvitae for the larger stuff if you don't have deer.

Remember that viewing and placement perspective may help. Figure out where to place your trees and shrubs to best camouflage the junk, for instance closer to the drive than to the junk since it will cover more, or placed to hide junk as one comes around a corner which usually allows a view of the mess. You most likely won't need a solid wall to have the most effect.

All this is rather complicated. Good fences make good neighbors. Many properties around me in the rural area where I live are fenced to keep out deer and block eyesore views. Might work for dogs if you buried it a few feet. Maybe spend your plant money on doing a section of fence every year . . . Just a thought.

Anna, the orange you are referring to is Hardy Orange. I was gonna suggest the same as it produces a hedge that dogs wont cross. It grows in the sun but in my woods in the shade as well. Pretty to look at, but even my leather glove are penetrated by the thorns. Its a source of marital strife because my wife brought the monster to our property.

Also known as

• PONCIRUS TRIFOLIATA 'MONSTROSA'
• JAPANESE BITTER ORANGE
• PONCIRUS TRIFOLIATA VAR. MONSTROSA
• FLYING DRAGON TRIFOLIATE ORANGE

Actually, Anna is referring to Osage orange, Maclura pomifera, rather than bitter orange, Poncirus.

osage orange

Thank you NHBabs.

Of course the concern would be "escapability" of Osage (Maclura) and whether it's an appropriate plant for the area.

Trickyputt, I think all citrus must have those thorns as my Meyer lemon certainly does. Probably planting any citrus that can be made into a hedge would make an effective barrier.

I can just imagine how prohibitively expensive it would be to plant a 25 acre perimeter fence. Unless barbed wire or electric fencing is a better option to manage critter encroachment.

If you don't have good neighbors, fences will at least keep them away.

I love bamboo but it can be a failure at screening lower levels on account of most of the time, it loses lower leaves and the stalks themselves are not dense enough to screen. It would need to be a very deep hedge for screening to occur. It can be very tough to create a screen of plants where there is shade coming from overhead since most shrubs are going to grow spindly and thin in the shade. The surest solution, though it is not without pain and suffering, is to clear out some undergrowth, limb up low hanging trees and plant a hedge that tolerates mixed light conditions.

Thank you, THANK YOU! For all the suggestions, experience and expertise! I will be researching these options. It is a relief to for your input and recommendations. And moral support.

Yaupon holly would be my choice. Thorny, red berries for birds.