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landscaping privacy Stewie 02-12-2008
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Posted by cshenk on February 13, 2008, 8:34 am
"HeyBub" wrote
> Stewie wrote:
>> Was wondering what others have done to put up privacy
>> barriers between neighboring homes.

>> Many of the suggestions involved planting trees or hedges.
>> Additional fencing is a thought, but I would still need a
>> lot more trees to block out views of the neighbors (since
>> the fence height is only 6').

I gather the neighbor has a 2 story? Otherwise 6ft would be sufficient for
most folks. They also have fences in 8 ft tall but they cost quite a bit
more.

>> All the planting ideas involve waiting a LONG time for
>> usable privacy (like YEARS).

Yes, and I'd shy away from that as the primary type although you could use
this in front of the 'fencing' and give it time to grow.

My experience is that anything that grows really fast either also dies fast,
or is invasive. How much time do you have to spend trimming it?

>> I'm in the northeastern USA.

Well, generally so am I but that doesnt mean much when recommending plants
<g>. Don't be afraid to list a state. It's not going to cause you trouble.
I live in Coastal Virginia for example.

>> Does anyone have actual experience with some species of
>> tree or hedge, that works in one season or less ? (or some
>> other idea to achieve the privacy goal).

None that I know of do. I do have some nice vines along a fence that grow
fast in spring and with minimal 'training' cover the gaps between my wood
fence by summer. They die out in winter.


> Yeah, you may not have the legal right to erect ANYTHING (hedge, fence,
> trees, etc.) on property bordering a street due to city ordinances or deed
> restrictions.

Excellent point (and why I chose this one to reply to). In my area, city
zoning means you have to leave a good strip back from the street when
planting or fencing. Stewie, check that first as it can be a very expensive
mistake. I'll add that corner lots often have a hydrant so have special
rules that must be followed. You can also find the storm drain for the
street is on your lot and in that case, may not be allowed to plant anything
with invasive root potential within 15 ft (I think it's 15 feet, not exactly
sure but thats *my* area and I mention it only so you can think about these
things then ask).



Posted by Bob F on February 12, 2008, 3:08 pm

>
> Was wondering what others have done to put up privacy
> barriers between neighboring homes.
>
> I'm on a corner lot in a "typical" suburban sub division.
> The lot is about a 200' x 100' size. There is a house to
> one side, and one behind, kinda looks like this:
>
>
>
> [neighbor]
> |
> xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx(fence)
> |
> [neighbor]---------[my house]----------------[street]
> |
> |
> |
> [ street ]
>
> (not to scale).
>
> My dilemma is, I'd like to put up some privacy barriers
> on the left & right sides in the above diagram (to the
> home on the left above, and to the street). to make a
> private yard that would encompass the area on the left,
> to the rear, and part of the section to the right.
>
> I've gotten all kinds of 'suggestions' - but i thought
> i would post to this group and collect some more before
> i make a decision.
>
> Many of the suggestions involved planting trees or hedges.
> Additional fencing is a thought, but I would still need a
> lot more trees to block out views of the neighbors (since
> the fence height is only 6').
>
> All the planting ideas involve waiting a LONG time for
> usable privacy (like YEARS).

Things that grow in FAST also tend to get BIG over time, so some compromise may
be needed.



Posted by JoeSpareBedroom on February 12, 2008, 5:25 pm
On Feb 12, 10:04 am, "Stewie" <Stewie@I-shall-rule-the-wor...@Family-
Guy.net.org> wrote:
> Was wondering what others have done to put up privacy
> barriers between neighboring homes.
>
> I'm on a corner lot in a "typical" suburban sub division.
> The lot is about a 200' x 100' size. There is a house to
> one side, and one behind, kinda looks like this:
>
> [neighbor]
> |
> xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx(fence)
> |
> [neighbor]---------[my house]----------------[street]
> |
> |
> |
> [ street ]
>
> (not to scale).
>
> My dilemma is, I'd like to put up some privacy barriers
> on the left & right sides in the above diagram (to the
> home on the left above, and to the street). to make a
> private yard that would encompass the area on the left,
> to the rear, and part of the section to the right.
>
> I've gotten all kinds of 'suggestions' - but i thought
> i would post to this group and collect some more before
> i make a decision.
>
> Many of the suggestions involved planting trees or hedges.
> Additional fencing is a thought, but I would still need a
> lot more trees to block out views of the neighbors (since
> the fence height is only 6').
>
> All the planting ideas involve waiting a LONG time for
> usable privacy (like YEARS).
>
> I'm in the northeastern USA.
>
> Does anyone have actual experience with some species of
> tree or hedge, that works in one season or less ? (or some
> other idea to achieve the privacy goal).
>
> I've interviewed professional landscaping *architects* (not
> landscaping contractors), but i want to exhaust the DIY
> design route first before spending $$$ on retainers to have
> architects construct designs (like the folks you see on
> HGTV).
>
> Anyone here have any thoughts on privacy barriers ?

I like the full sized non-dwarf "Burning Bush" for this use, they will
establish in 2 seasons and grow dense enough to hide onlookers. And
they turn a bright crimson in the fall.

======================


Barberry, too, although just one 6 foot bush is a major project to trim. I
can't imagine dealing with a long hedge of them.



Posted by Kay Lancaster on February 12, 2008, 5:42 pm
["Followup-To:" header set to alt.building.construction.]
On Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:04:48 -0500, Stewie

> Many of the suggestions involved planting trees or hedges.
> Additional fencing is a thought, but I would still need a
> lot more trees to block out views of the neighbors (since
> the fence height is only 6').
>
> All the planting ideas involve waiting a LONG time for
> usable privacy (like YEARS).

Quick-growing shrubs and trees are typically quite invasive or weak-wooded,
often short-lived, and trouble not very far down the road. IF you go this
way, have back-up plan in place, such as "lombardy poplars for the next 5-6
years and the sugar maples should be big enough by then so I can take the
poplars down."

If you can have trellises taller than fences (check with your code office),
you might consider fast-growing vines like hops for temporary cover, to be
replaced by more permanent landscaping later. Check locally to find out
what sort of vines you're going to regret having planted in your area before
making final plant selections.

Big umbrellas are good, too, especially for the "neighbor's looking out the
second floor windows while I'm sunbathing" sorts of issues, as are things
like pole-bean structures and rose arbors.

Talk to your local extension service about what plants would be suitable for
your situation. Some of the "old reliables" are now not so reliable
because of disease or insect problems that have cropped up. If you're
in one of the smaller states, also check the extension service websites
of neighboring states.


Posted by Stewie on February 16, 2008, 8:52 am

> ["Followup-To:" header set to alt.building.construction.]
> On Tue, 12 Feb 2008 11:04:48 -0500, Stewie
>
> > Many of the suggestions involved planting trees or hedges.
> > Additional fencing is a thought, but I would still need a
> > lot more trees to block out views of the neighbors (since
> > the fence height is only 6').
> >
> > All the planting ideas involve waiting a LONG time for
> > usable privacy (like YEARS).
>
> Quick-growing shrubs and trees are typically quite invasive or
weak-wooded,
> often short-lived, and trouble not very far down the road. IF you go this
> way, have back-up plan in place, such as "lombardy poplars for the next
5-6
> years and the sugar maples should be big enough by then so I can take the
> poplars down."
>
> If you can have trellises taller than fences (check with your code
office),
> you might consider fast-growing vines like hops for temporary cover, to be
> replaced by more permanent landscaping later. Check locally to find out
> what sort of vines you're going to regret having planted in your area
before
> making final plant selections.
>
> Big umbrellas are good, too, especially for the "neighbor's looking out
the
> second floor windows while I'm sunbathing" sorts of issues, as are things
> like pole-bean structures and rose arbors.
>
> Talk to your local extension service about what plants would be suitable
for
> your situation. Some of the "old reliables" are now not so reliable
> because of disease or insect problems that have cropped up. If you're
> in one of the smaller states, also check the extension service websites
> of neighboring states.


many thanks to all those who replied.

still researching options.

best regards







Page 2 of 4       < 1 2 3 > last >>
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