Trees or bushes for privacy??

[AlbertC]

We would like to plant some type of vegetation along a fence line to provide some type of privacy between us and a neighbor. The fence line has several large oaks spaced 40-50 ft apart along the fence line. The oaks do not have any lower limbs thus the need to plant something under them for privacy.

We tried planting arborvitae trees under the oaks but they were stunted and never really grew very much even though I irrigated and fertilized them. We were later told that the roots from the oak trees were stealing all the water and nutrients from the trees and that it was hard getting anything to grow under oak trees.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what plant we might try planting to provide privacy? We live in middle Georgia.

Thanks

 

[Steppenwolfe]

We would like to plant some type of vegetation along a fence line to provide some type of privacy between us and a neighbor. The fence line has several large oaks spaced 40-50 ft apart along the fence line. The oaks do not have any lower limbs thus the need to plant something under them for privacy.

We tried planting arborvitae trees under the oaks but they were stunted and never really grew very much even though I irrigated and fertilized them. We were later told that the roots from the oak trees were stealing all the water and nutrients from the trees and that it was hard getting anything to grow under oak trees.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what plant we might try planting to provide privacy? We live in middle Georgia.

Thanks

Try wax myrtle, larger azalea's, or maybe burning bush ( deciduous) but nice. Mulch heavily, and fertilize with HollyTone. Also, speak to county extension agent.

 

[Oldoak]

I planted Honey Suckle shrubs between well spaced Red Oak Trees for screening from the road. Worked out well although they too are deciduous but the red berries attract a variety of beneficial birds.

 

[jaxs]

I'm thinking shade tolorant vines (honey suckle,viginia creeper,english ivy)for the short term and eastern red cedar for long term. Look around under forest trees to see what thrive's. Red tip photinia is very rapid growning but is prone to disease.

 

[Streetcar]

I planted Honey Suckle shrubs between well spaced Red Oak Trees for screening from the road. Worked out well although they too are deciduous but the red berries attract a variety of beneficial birds.

Honeysuckle is terrible choice, very invasive and bad for the birds, illegal in some states.
Causes diarrhea in many birds

 

[RalphVa]

Google shade tolerant plants. Wineberries like to grow underneath deciduous trees. Would provide berries as well.

Pieris likes shade.

Any perennial will sleep the first year, creep the next and finally leap the third year IF you've provided just the right amount of water to it.

Again, google shade tolerant plants and select what you like and what is available at the big box or other large landscape place. Otherwise, you'll pay to order special.

Ralph

 

[Oldoak]

Honeysuckle is terrible choice, very invasive and bad for the birds, illegal in some states.
Causes diarrhea in many birds

Not near as invasive as Autumn Olive, Russian Olive, Multi-flower Rose, etc.

Oh, grapes will also cause diarrhea in many birds when eaten in abundance.

 

[Egon]

Caragana! They are very hardy.

 

[Gem99ultra]

We planted 20 Leland Cypress trees along our border. Within 3 years they had bushed out making an excellent visual barrier. After planting, we never water nor feed them. Five years later now, they're 12' tall. And - they were cheap; $1.00 each at a Home Depot sale.

 

[jbrumberg]

Not near as invasive as Autumn Olive, Russian Olive, Multi-flower Rose, etc.

Oh, grapes will also cause diarrhea in many birds when eaten in abundance.

I agree BTDT. In hindsight it was a bad choice planting the "olives"

I would follow the suggestion of googling GA shade tolerant "visual barrier" type plants and find out your particular region's shade tolerant bird/insect attracting native plants.

 

[ovrszd]

Eastern Red Cedar will grow anywhere. If you can stand having them bordering your yard.

 

[tcreeley]

In western Mass. the honeysuckles grow wild along cow pasture fence rows providing thick privacy hedge rows. The birds love them- nesting and even green herons.

Here in Maine I planted tartarian honey suckles and they are also a favorite. Hummingbirds when the flowers are out, waxwings eat the berries, and catbirds nest in them along with other birds. They will spread themselves via bird droppings. Tough bush - Grows thick and dense.

 

[Streetcar]

Why would you want to plant something that is similar to multiflora rose, but not as bad as Russian olive. That is honeysuckle.
In Ohio its only good point is that honeysuckle is crowding out multiflora roses

 

[oosik]

Ha, ha - - - location, location - etc. Of all the trees and shrubs I've planted here over the 36 years I've been here - Russian Olive is the VERY MOST DIFFICULT tree/bush to get to grow. I've planted over 30 small starters and now have two live R Olive trees.

It has to be the Ph and nutrient content of the soil that holds the R Olives back.

Contact your state soil conservation service - they can provide a list of bushes that will grow best in your particular area.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have a row of natural Bottle Brush between me and a neighbor... do absolutely nothing and provides 100% privacy... the former owner planted when the new home was going in next door in 2000.

The Bottle Brush are drought tolerant... at least unaffected during the last 5 years of drought and growing under California Live and Coastal Oak.

Down the street has Oleander... not quite as high but also drought tolerant... the oaks are near by so not sure if it would thrive under the oaks like my Bottle Brush.

 

[grnspot110]

Tartarian honeysuckle is an invasive plant not native to the US, spreads rapidly & will choke out native species!

 

[Pilot]

We get laurel growing wild under our Douglas-firs and where planted they make a barrier that would work for a border wall, it's so dense.--if it would grow there. We are in western Oregon with 40-50 inches of rain in the fall thru spring. It tolerates a summer drought and cold winters, temps down in the lower teens.

 

[Streetcar]

Albert
Where are you located

 

[check]

Not near as invasive as Autumn Olive, Russian Olive, Multi-flower Rose, etc. Oh, grapes will also cause diarrhea in many birds when eaten in abundance.

And remember, grapes will cause renal failure in dogs.

 

[smstonypoint]

We live in middle Georgia.

Thanks

Albert
Where are you located

Steve