Need help blocking out neighbors toys!
For several years I had a row of beautiful large blue spruces blocking my neighbors driveway and house. The last couple of years they were not looking so good, had a few experts look at them and was told that the blue spruce in my area have some disease and would eventually die. Then a storm hit last summer and I lost a few. Fast forward, I have 3 trees left standing (not looking great) and all I can see is my neighbors house, driveway and kids play yard, (they have a home day care) . The neighbors need the privacy as much as I do. There is also a window Any landscaping solutions or suggestions? Looking for something low maintenance. I don't currently have a sprinkler system in that area but will have one installed.
Comments (24)
Lorrie H
5 years agoHere another photo. There is also
A bedroom window and I think maybe I need a fast growing tree to block that.
chloebud
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Need to block out an eyesore
Comments (24)I think there is more to it than just screening the view out of the window. There is an experience that you and your guests have when they approach your property, when they park in the driveway, when they walk up to the door, and any other passive or active thing that is affected by this. It is really not the eyesore that is the problem. It is how the experience of your activities is affected by that "thing". You are really after making a more positive experience for those activities. Screening it is but one mitigating measure. Take away the camper and it looks like you'll have a basketball game or a parked car to look at anyway. The camper may be saving a rolling basketball visiting your lawn (or toast, or whatever will become of it) along with those that would fetch it. You can't think one dimensionally and have complete success. If a hedge or a fence is considered as a mitigating measure, then the trees are considered as an enhancement to that mitigation. Further enhancement could be a colorful planting in front of the hedge or fence that pulls your attention lower and a layer further foward. You can go on and on....See MoreBlocking Out Neighbor From Hell
Comments (1)As always, mulch after planting and keep moist. You cannot get them to grow faster than their genetic programming allows for, nor do you want extra fast growth anyway as it results in a more open and weak habit. Probably no plant will grow fast and thick enough to fully appease your irritation, hopefully you have a good fence in place....See MoreMostly shaded, need to screen out ugly neighbors?
Comments (7)i know very little about gardening, shrubs, or bushes, however we have a similar situation. we have a row of about 6 forsythias between our house & the neighbors & the area gets limited sunlight. the forsythias only bloom for a short period during the spring-summer and are naked the rest of the year. in addition, they do not get very full. i assume thats due to the lack of abundant sunlight. therefore, i would not recommend them for blocking out the neighbors based on my experience. do you want a low maintenance shrub or do you mind pruning? i believe most will take a few years to fully develop but you can buy some that are much fuller. i am interested in any suggestions you get. good luck!...See MoreHelp with conifer selection to block neighbors
Comments (12)Thank you both for your replies and suggestions. I will definitely give the clumping bamboo a look, gardengal48. You're right, as soon as you hear bamboo the first thought is "won't it take over". I'll check out this particular species. I like the idea of mixing it in rather than planting a "wall" of it. Ken, Here are a few pictures of what I have with me at the moment. I'll take another this evening to capture the whole front yard space. Also to note, these pictures were taken in the evening, but as you can see the back corner of the fence is relatively shaded, and much more so than the rest of the area. I'd ideally go back to the fence corner, with something that'll eventually grow higher than the 7ft. fence that's there. I definitely hear you on the growth aspect. At this point, I am willing to get out there annually (or more) or hire someone to keep them trimmed and maintained. We got a great deal on the property and I don't see us leaving the area anytime soon. However, these people are making the decision difficult, despite the significant financial impact moving would entail. As far as money goes, I'm willing to spend a good bit to have them professionally planted, provided we get some sort of sight break from these people. Also, for reference the angle these pictures are taken is facing west. The sun rises at my back and sets on the other side of the tree cover. Lastly, the flowering plum will be removed/moved (if possible), as I've never liked it there. Thanks again for everyone's help. Edit: I looked at the clumping bamboo and I like it. I think we'll utilize these in some capacity, definitely in the back corner area where there's less sun. We also like the look of Canadian Hemlock, Blue Spruce and Wichita Junipers, but don't know if they are possible given the sunlight, location (zone), root systems, trimming capability, etc....See MoreLorrie H
5 years agochloebud
5 years ago
PRODig Doug's Designs
5 years ago
houssaon
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoLorrie H
5 years agoI do have several hemlock in my backyard and really like them. Think they would be a great choice if they grew faster. I am thinking about using fence panels in the landscaping like this photo. Should I leave the blue spruce as is for now or pull off the. Band aid and get rid of the ones that are left.
PROhoussaon
5 years ago
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
5 years ago
PROJAN MOYER
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoYou should have no problem with arborvitae. Grow tall................QUICKLY. : )
https://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/treedetail.cfm?itemID=776
The narrow, pyramid shape makes it a natural choice for windbreaks. Tall and elegant, it requires almost no care when used as a hedge or screen. Pairs of these hardy trees make great accents for doors and garden gates while single specimens soften house corners. In the wild single specimens commonly grow 40' to 60' with a spread of 10'-15'. In urban settings a height of 20' to 30' with a 12' spread is more typical. Plant 3 feet apart for hedge. (zones 3-7)
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
5 years agoJoe T.
5 years ago- PRO
JAN MOYER
5 years ago Lorrie H
5 years agodeb s
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago- PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago Lorrie H
5 years agoPatricia Colwell Consulting the good news is that you cannot see much of this from the backyard. The only time you see it is when you pull into the driveway or come down the street.
I just feel like it changes the appearance of the entire house when you pull in the driveway. deb s I really don't need any additional storage, the garage is a good size and I have plenty of room to store all my lawn furniture and yard equipment. I'm also need to plan something for the back of the house, maybe a pergola. I have to many projects to tackle!
mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
5 years agoLorrie H
5 years agocalidesign
5 years agoIrene Morresey
5 years agoYou can grow greenery in front of fence or plant a couple of trees, here in New Zealand we all have fences but usually landscaped along them
calidesign