Tall arborvitea. They grow fast and you can make a barrier of sorts with them. Evergreen too.

How far should I space them? and should I stop when the hill starts to drop on the back side. Basically stop them where my fence will stop.

Oh, please, not a wall of arbs! We don't know your zone, but there are other large shrubs that would be MUCH more attractive. A large evergreen viburnum if your zone allows it. A Magnolia stellata--not evergreen but quite dense. Even a small flowering tree with small shrubs beneath it.

You need properly placed (and carefully chosen) trees to provide shade for the deck as well.

And what architect designed a house with such eccentric window placement?

A wall of arbs would look worse. You need a couple of shade trees and several medium sized shrubs planted in groupings not a wall.

Lanscaping! Landscaping! Landscaping!

I agree our window placement makes no sense lol, how would you landscape it Norwood? What types of trees and plants?

What type of shade trees and shrubs Cecily, do you have any photos of what you mean? Landscaping is not my strong suite, I struggle with it.

I read through my hoa, we can plant whatever we would like. I am outside of city limits so the city doesn’t have any restrictions for plants house is in WV so that is the climate I’m working with.

Here are a few suggestions using Hackberry, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Redbud & Ash:

Hey Doug, whatever software you use is great thank you!! however I don’t own that far down the hill I only own to this red line, what should I do?

Crepe myrtles would be nicer than arborvitae -- more generous, less harsh looking. Beautiful trunks for winter interest. If you're open to a more natural, native bird and butterfly friendly planting, tell us a large city you are near.

Near Pittsburgh, Pa

Tulip tres are fast growing and have big leaves for shade if desired. My concern, though, would be planting trees, shrubs when the is sich an abrupt dropoff and soil erosion exposing the roots over time. Have you considered an awning or pergola extending midway up across this side of the house? Possible to eliminate the window closest to the corner?

Suggest heading to a nursery with photos, soil info, and a budget and they will suggest appropriate options (mixing/heights, maintenance, long term results, etc). Will then also know what you can afford (including delivery and planting) to help with your final decision. Inquire if they guarantee its health for a year, as that's common and important.

Here is a modified version : Hackberry, Juniper virginiana, Kentucky Coffee Tree & Redbud

Thank you, how long would it take for something like that to grow? 5 years?

Have a discussion with your HOA. Is the lot next door to you a buildable one that has not been sold? If not, I would suggest that the HOA might want to partner with you in making this area more welcoming for those entering your neighborhood. Perhaps they will plant some shade trees in THEIR area that will help prevent run off and possible erosion of the hill. That way you don’t just a have row of anything lining your property. See if the HOA will work with you on this before you do anything. Also…find a local landscape designer who knows your area, micro climate, etc. Have them draw up a long range landscape plan that includes some privacy screening. You don’t need to implement it all immediately, but over time. The best investment that I made 30 years ago was having a one hour meeting with a landscape professional. We have been implementing their plan over the years…from hardscape to annual plantings. Patios to petunias! Good luck!

Thank you so much!! The lot beside me is not buildable and the hoa owns I think that’s a great idea to meet with them and possibly start a discussion, maybe as a group we can plant some trees to make the development more welcoming when people come in.

Ptreckel has a great idea.
The 15 feet side yard of yours is not really wide enough for typical shade trees or even smaller trees that can get to 15” wide at crown.

If you’re able to get HOA to plant a more substantial tree or trees on the slope— or even large shrubs— that not only grounds your house silhouette , it gives you “ borrowed views” and then you can plant narrower things in your 15” area.

Consider some fastigiate trees for tor zone for a tall but narrower shape. Often would have to special order those species, though you might find something in an independent nursery near you.

I hardly think this is hideous. In as little as two/ three years your not so pretty over size foundation wall is completely obscured. Nice wind block, and green all year. I'd skip anything deciduous, in Pittsburgh.

What you want to do is to marry the house to the landscape. The first thing I'd plant is a large shrub in the corner of the house to the left. Maybe an Arborvitae. The tall column will soften the abrupt edge between lawn and house. You do want to make sure it is far enough from the house to reach it's full width. Then, I'd have a large more round shrub at the left corner.

Then, I'd get the HOA to go for a large tree in more or less the middle. Tuliptree is really lovely and probably native to do, if you get a Liriodendron Tulipfera, not a Liriodendron Chinensis or a hybrid.

But, there are plenty of lovely trees. A clump of birch, for example. A redbud. A magnolia.

Be careful with planting large trees near your house. There are tags on the trees when you buy them at the nursery that show the height and width of the tree, but be aware that they show the estimated size of the tree at 10 years. Not the ultimate size of the tree, which would be much much taller and wider.

For example a hackberry grows to a height of 40–60' and a spread of 40–60' at maturity, so planting it on your property line, 15 feet away from your house, will cause a problem in the future. Also, if the branches hang over the lot line, the future owner of the adjacent lot may have problems with it. Where I live, that owner could trim any branch to the trunk if it hangs over their property.

Here’s some more photos of what I’m working with.

Back yard

Pic from porch

I'm another vote for geting with the HOA to plant large trees (or future large trees) along the street then you can landscape inside your fence with bushes etc... You probably have room for one large tree at the far corner of your property but 15 feet is too close to the house on the side...

Design Girl -- If you intend to live in this house for a long time, your first step might be a landscape designer. They can save you in the long run by recommending plants that will thrive on your very challenging site. Many full-service nurseries offer design services for very reasonable fees (hoping you'll buy their plants and hire their ground crews). Once you have a plan you can hire them to do the work, DIY it or a combination of both. I agree recommending a beautification project to the HOA is a good idea -- how about native plants? Could be a fun community project.

P.S. I also abhor arborvitae.

@Celery. Visualization, Rendering images thank you so much however we are trying to hide the awkward height of our home and the foundation, any other thoughts or options? Your renderings are great! Can you do another rendering of hiding the foundation of our home. We arent sure what trees to use or what do do, there are so many different opinions and options however really love your option and renderings!

Thank you for the advice, I reached out to the HOA, we don’t plan on living here for more than 5 additional years. We currently plan on building again closer to home, but the time we do have here I would like to invest and make it as beautiful as I can, especially since we do love the home, just not the side awkwardness of it. It’s really really strange I think our grading was done poorly as well. The hoa board is going to start a discussion on my proposal thanks to everyone!

@Celery. Visualization, Rendering images thank you so much again, however i mean hide the side of our home, do you see how the foundation is showing, we want to plant something that will grow tall enough to be able to hide the awkward tallness of our home. So something along this red line. We dont want to be able to see the foundation when we pull up to go to our home, with your renderings we can still see that. BUT they are beautiful and i so appreciate you taking time to do that, do you have any renderings that would show tall trees or a way to hide the foundation of our home.

This suggestion uses bayberry & pine:

Thank you! We want to actually do an in-ground pool back there some day with a mini golf putting course.

Please consider having the HOA Board look at native trees and shrubs.

Nice, simply natural…..and well said. Trees will also keep your cooling bills in check, the birds will appreciate it, and who doesn’t love watching the four seasons amidst the trees?

Here's how to position trees for shade. First, large trees at proper distance to the South, Southwest of house for shade in the hottest part of the day. Next same to East, South east for morning shade as long as possible. Smaller understory trees can be planted closer to house/deck, patio, etc between large trees and house.

I think one issue is that slope you have— can’t just plant something “ on the red line” that will grow to hide “ foundation “ from a distance because these would need to be medium- tall and as you noted, need room for root mass.

So you would be planting nearer to the house, but not too close. And need more knowledge of growth patterns, sizes depending on exactly where you plant what. That’s why it’s hard for simple “ just plant this many of these “ advice from afar. You will likely need on- site landscaping assessment.

Thank you so much everyone!!! I really appreciate it, we hired a landscaper for our front landscaping and it turned out terrible. Unfortunately the area where we live in, I can’t find anyone who actually produces pretty landscaping, I am going to post my front yard on another thread, because it needs some help, we have been here a few years now.

' they didn’t put a tarp down, ' As I said on the other thread, they were absolutely correct not to use landscape fabric. It is a recipe for disaster in the long run. Weeds will find their way into any landscape eventually. There is low maintence, but there is no zero maintenance. Landscaping is not like decorating a room. It requires ongoing attention to keep it healthy.

@floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK thank you i have now learned that i was wrong, which i posted that on the new thread. Thanks

At least one big ol' tree on that side of the property..

<Following> I have a "tall side" house like yours. I have considered a wrap-around connecting the porch (front) to the elevated deck/ balcony (back). Then hanging some flower baskets down from the railing.

<Edited to add the Houzz photo> What do you think of something like this?

PS: Anyone else willing to provide some other inspiration pictures of a wrap-around deck (on a sloped lot)?

@partim-

Does the spread you mention describe the spread of the canopy or the spread of the root system?

I suggest this for the top slope area...no need to do it all the way to the street.

What do you think about something like this:

Lakeside Cottage · More Info

I think I’d start with something like this that screens your house casually without blocking any of your view. Be careful that you don’t give it a “fortress” vibe. Expand both sides and down the hill as budget allows.