Hey sorry took so long to get back. I'm actually in zone 5 we do get snow in the winter over here. the soil is kind of compact with rocks 6" down and mixture of clay. it rains mostly in the spring time with little snow. I live in an area where there is no HOA so that wouldn't be a big problem on the tree size. was thinking of a tree that could be around 20ft high or so just something to get some shade and block neighbor view. color doesn't really matter possibly something low maintenance. the yard is about 61ft side to side and from the patio to the fence its about 30ft. I was planning on just putting the trees in and deciding if i wanna just put planters around them or just maybe killing off the grass back by the fence and putting something in, not really sure yet. might expand my patio in the future but nothing in the work, no deck or covering. Thanks everyone for the help!

You people are great! So much input and so fast. So here's a little more info on what I'm thinking: - Privacy: We would like to have privacy in the yard. The windows are not an issue. We are in the yard a lot as soon as it's nice enough outside and practically have every meal outside. The neighbors use their yard not as much but often enough, the lady runs a day care out of her house, and they mainly use their back entrance for coming and going. Right now it's so open you bascially cannot not say Hi. And while they are nice, I'd like to have the option of ignoring them once in a while without seeming rude. :) So I guess, we don't need a castle just more view protection from their yard/walkway into our yard, especially our sitting area and my hammock. A picture of the other side of the yard from early summer so you can imagine the whole thing. On the patch of concrete in front of the hammock is now a table with 6 chairs. As you can see there's not so much sheltering us from the other neighbor either, but it's not so bad. The impression is different because of the oak tree "ceiling" and the rose bush (hard to see, it's hidden behind the tree from this perspective). And I've had some annual climbers grown on 5 ft supports. They came with the house and are not pretty but for now they'll do. Also, the neighbor is never in the yard and we rarely see him coming or going... Walkway: The first thing I wanted to get rid off was this ugly concrete path, especially since it cuts the yard in half like that. But after I figured out how much it would cost to remove the concrete and then to put down a more appealing alternative, and into how many plants/other yard structures that would convert, my plan for now is to try to develop a plan around the existing walkway, maybe add arches for depth, a focal point in the middle of the pathway, have the "rooms" go off to the side of the path, and stain the concrete a dark color. No lawn yard: I'm really in a total starting phase. I went outside and measured everything yesterday. When I get it on graphing paper and some ideas down I will run it by you guys. So far the following ideas are floating in my head: Since it would be better if the pathway could stay, my thought was to go with the geometry of the space (square) and have square four rooms that go off from the path. The patio will stay where it is. It's convenient too because of the shade from the oak tree. I would like to make the hammock area into a retreat corner. Surrounding vegetation for that should be at least chest high. For the back right side there are a few things in my head but nothing concrete yet. It has the most sun. A sitting spot with a rockgarden. Or with perennials centering around peonies. Or... On the left side the front may be kept open for a child play area maybe with sandbox. I may actually keep the lawn there or replace it with a no mow stepable groundcover. But I would want to widen the flowerbed or planting area next to the fence at least a few feet. Then something to divide the "childplay room" from the back left. I was thinking of a veggie garden there since it gets decent sun, but I'm not yet sure how much we'll be here enough during the crictical months of the summer. It may have to be a yard to be enjoyed in early and late summer. If not veggies, then I don't know yet. All this hasn't been scatched out so I have no idea if I'm trying to cram much too much into our small yard and should depart from the four room idea. Fence: It's stained from what I can tell. And it's worn off in quite a few places. I'm from Germany and I don't know what people do with the fences here in this climate. I'll find out. Re: the privacy issue so far I like the idea of supports that maybe mimmick the shape of the pickets maybe just part of the whole length. I worry that posts and wires will not look good. I will also look into tall, narrow pergolas, but I find the structures usually too "heavy" for our little yard. Or just plain ugly looking. ;) But maybe there are some out there that could fit the bill. Karin, what would you do if the pathway was to stay? I liked your thinking, I just don't think it's in the budget... Hmh... lots to think about... Thanks so much already. And keep it coming.

you want an instant privacy fence that is about 16 feet tall? Seriously? You need it now, since you want to sell asap. I don't know what to tell you. The county will probably plant the leyland now, this is when you plant evergreens. You could call them and ask them when they will? You could install a fence made from Bamboo, it's beautiful and instant, look online to see them. I guess if you look at a local nusery, they could order some really big trees that are evergreen for you, but they cost. It would be instant privacy that you want, and the nursery could plant the trees for you, but you will have to find out the price, they aren't cheap. Sorry about your situation, really. That is what would happen to me, I swear, so mabey you just better buy bigger trees. Put the money out and sell it.

So many issues here. Let’s just address the fence issue for now. You say you want a privacy fence but it’s not really clear WHERE the fence goes. You mean on the sides of the house coming forward to the street - to block views of/from the neighbors to each side of you? Your pictures show a very narrow slice and we can’t see what’s going on here. It‘s not clear where your property lines are and I don’t understand what you mean about the driveway being nearly gone, and making a new u-shaped driveway. Is that paved driveway we can see to the left yours? Maybe a to-scale pencil sketch of your property would help.