Tree/evergreen for privacy in the backyard?

Can anyone suggest fast-growing trees that can add privacy in the back of a backyard? The building behind us is being turned into a monster with 5 floors and terraces on each floor. Privacy will be lost, obviously, but we’re looking for ways to minimize this.

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in General Discussion 6 years and 3 months ago

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WRPListings | 6 years and 3 months ago

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Thanks, the CYpress is a good suggestion. They look like Dawn Redwood, which is another tree we were considering. Has anyone planted a October blaze maple in their backyard? They grow quickly and have beautiful fall color, so we were thinking about that as well.

anotherposter | 6 years and 3 months ago

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I do love a cypress tree (assuming it’s bald cypress) and they are native, which is even better! I’ve seen some the city planted in sidewalk pits after the tornado in 2010 and they’ve done really well. One reason to go to a smaller local store is because they tend to carry larger trees than HD and Lowes and I’d try to start as big as possible. They can also order certain sizes for you. It isn’t cheap, but getting a tree that has been well cared for 4+ years delivered is worth the cost, imo.

slopefarm | 6 years and 3 months ago

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We planted a cypress that grew pretty fast, is evergreen, and kind of fun and unruly.

workisfun | 6 years and 3 months ago

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They look like popsicles.

dougb | 6 years and 3 months ago

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I think that you’d want trees that will grow tall and stay very narrow (columnar form), rather than a big elm tree or zelkova that would spread in all directions. I’ve seen hornbeam sold in columnar form (at King’s County Nursery in the past), also English oak and maybe also sweet gum. With these it might be possible to plant 4-5 trees across a 20′ wide backyard near the property line to create screening for three seasons. The next step up from this is creating a true screen from closely planted trees using a technique called pleaching – kind of like an espalier, except at a height above the ground – (look for images of pleached linden trees for an example)

BKALLDAY | 6 years and 3 months ago

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Why don’t you put up some Sail Shades? This way you are not married to trees. and roots. And roots that kick up your fence. or drop leaves. or lift up any pavers. They sell lovely sail shades that are a breeze to put up or have installed and then you only need shorter evergreens trees in large planters for those new nosy folks just over your fence. Good luck.

greenworks | 6 years and 3 months ago

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There are some clumping hardy/evergreen bamboos that grow fast as well (fargesia I think) that won’t be ridiculously invasive like running bamboo but they can be hard to find. Have seen them out on way out Long Island but not at my go to nursery, Hicks., that is closer but perhaps they can order.

greenworks | 6 years and 3 months ago

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I ordinarily wouldn’t but from HD but their Sky Pencil Hollies generally look pretty good every year for the past couple years, at least at our HD, so I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand. Have had a friend or two pick up a couple from there as well and they have thrived.

anotherposter | 6 years and 3 months ago

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Go to a plant nursery for advice and start with as big of a tree as you are willing to buy and that can get through your house-even a fast growing tree will need some time to provide any privacy. Delivery could be hard or pricey from them, but Weisner Brothers in Staten Island had a great selection and was really helpful when I was planting our garden, but I never bought bigger than I could get home myself.

More locally, I would not buy a tree from Home Depot, Lowes, etc. I’ll get annuals there, but not a tree. In Brooklyn, Kings County Nursery or maybe a shop at the Brooklyn Terminal Market are decent options. I didn’t go with Kings because I had a hard time getting help when there but I know folks who love them.

Our home had a spruce as tall as the building when we moved in and it’s grown a lot since. It provides great privacy, but as someone who loves gardening, I hate it and am considering having it removed. Several times a year (often right when a bunch o f things are blooming) it drops 1000+ pine cones in the yard, battering the plants below. It has affected the soil pH so that not much grows under it even with pricey soil amendments.

greenworks | 6 years and 3 months ago

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There are a ton available on www.fast-growing-trees.com — I have never used them but have been looking for a while and their quality seems to be good and prices fair — I think if you plug in your criteria, it will help you pick which tree works best for your situation.

But sky pencil holly is very popular and generally available at home depot.