We live on small acreage and our neighbor has decided to erect several small barns right on the property line. So as you can imagine, our view will not be that great. Wife and are pretty perturbed but there's not a lot we can do about it. We always think about how our actions might impact someone else so when others don't really give a ****, it's really disheartening. With this in mind, we are looking at planting trees that will create a screen to where we don't have to look at them. We were thinking Arizona Cypress (Carolina Sapphire), red Cedar, or loblolly pines. Any recommendations that won't break the bank $$$ wise? Thanks.

I did a search on TA but am not finding anything within last year.

Wax myrtles would be a good choice.

What part of Texas are you in??

Eastern Red Cedar, Arizona Cypress (Carolina Sapphire or Blue Ice), and Arborvitae, are all good choices. They'll grow fast and dense, and within 4-5 years, will easily be 12-15 feet tall, or bigger (they'll eventually be 30' or taller), and will block the view, year round. The Loblolly pines will work, but aren't nearly as dense, or as drought tolerant (or disease/insect resistant), as the others.

Along our fence line over the years: we've had queen palms die in a freeze. We've had Japanese blueberry die in a freeze. We've had Japanese yew die in a drought. What has never died, freeze or drought, was crepe Myrtle and wax Myrtle

Schuuuuulllltttzz!
I've seen Magnolia trees used effectively. Evergreen, grow tall but also have low branches. You can still see a little through them. Not dense.

Thanks guys.

Live in Colorado County near Columbus where the soil is not the greatest. Soil is a sandy loam over a clay/gravel layer. Most of the native trees in the area are oak and cedar with a few pine.

I had thought of green giant arborvitae as they grow super quick but I understand you have to water quite a bit the 1st couple of years plus they are not as heat tolerant. I would plant them if the water requirement wasn't such.

Grew up in Ellinger-know the area well. Yaupon would be the bullet proof choice, but may not grow as fast as you'd like. I'd stay away from wax Myrtle-they decline after 10-15 years-at least they have in Houston-primarily West U, Piney Point and Shenandoah-all municipal clients of mine.

I've really grown to appreciate Sweet Viibernum over the past 10-15 years.

two1993ags said:

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Grew up in Ellinger-know the area well. Yaupon would be the bullet proof choice, but may not grow as fast as you'd like. I'd stay away from wax Myrtle-they decline after 10-15 years-at least they have in Houston-primarily West U, Piney Point and Shenandoah-all municipal clients of mine.

I've really grown to appreciate Sweet Viibernum over the past 10-15 years.

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In a smaller area, I would consider Sweet Viibernum but I think they have the issue with water that arborvitae has.

Leaning more and more toward Carolina Sapphire or your typical Eastern Red Cedar.

I thought about yaupon but the growth rate is too slow.

Arborvitae. We have them. They've grown quickly, so now we don't have to see rhe dumbass red neck neighbors.

Just get the disease-resistant variety.

zooguy96 said:

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Arborvitae. We have them. They've grown quickly, so now we don't have to see rhe dumbass red neck neighbors.

Just get the disease-resistant variety.

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What area do you live?

Green giant would be the cheapest and I got 300 feet x 2 rows to plant so. ???? Not excited about having to invest in an irrigation system to keep them alive

Sgt. Schultz said:

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zooguy96 said:

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Arborvitae. We have them. They've grown quickly, so now we don't have to see rhe dumbass red neck neighbors.

Just get the disease-resistant variety.

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What area do you live?

Green giant would be the cheapest and I got 300 feet x 2 rows to plant so. ???? Not excited about having to invest in an irrigation system to keep them alive

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TN. So not helpful with your situation. But, they've done fine after several droughts we've had here.

Yuapon

zooguy96 said:

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Arborvitae. We have them. They've grown quickly, so now we don't have to see rhe dumbass red neck neighbors.

Just get the disease-resistant variety.

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You will also need to protect them from deer early on. Deer reportedly consider them a delicacy.

Sgt. Schultz said:

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two1993ags said:

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Grew up in Ellinger-know the area well. Yaupon would be the bullet proof choice, but may not grow as fast as you'd like. I'd stay away from wax Myrtle-they decline after 10-15 years-at least they have in Houston-primarily West U, Piney Point and Shenandoah-all municipal clients of mine.

I've really grown to appreciate Sweet Viibernum over the past 10-15 years.

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In a smaller area, I would consider Sweet Viibernum but I think they have the issue with water that arborvitae has.

Leaning more and more toward Carolina Sapphire or your typical Eastern Red Cedar.

I thought about yaupon but the growth rate is too slow.

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The Arizona Cypress that I have (both Carolina Sapphire and Blue Ice) have tolerated drier weather in the rolling plains, quite well. I would suggest having some way to water them gor the first 1-2 years, to get them going, though. The Carolina Sapphire has grown a little more quickly than the Blue Ice (and stuff I've read agrees this is the case). The Blue Ice is more "silvery" in appearance, than the Carolina Sapphire (more silver-blue green). I just mention this, in case you have a color preference.

My parents down near Palestine have had good luck with the Eastern Red Cedar, for the same purpose you have. I also gave them a couple of the Arizona Cypresses, and they have also done fine.

Deer don't seem to eat on them, but they have had deer do some damage raking their antlers on a few. They can ruin a young tree, fast.

Oleander grows fast, will top a 6' fence in 2-3 yrs. My back neighbors had some along their fencd. I didnt really care for it all that much, but every year they would cut it back 2-3 feet. It grows quick.

Salt cedar ?

Now that's a fast growing tree. Looking at a handful of them that froze to the ground in 2021 and they're about 8-10' today. These are near Lagrange.

Lots of good choices mentioned as usual. I would plant a variety as not have a disease or infestation of some kind wipe you out. Also, don't plant in a single row, if one dies it would be noticeable. Opportunity to plant some flowering or more showy plants for wildlife and interest.

Go to the hill country. Dig up some Ashe Juniper and transplant them. Guarantee in a couple of years people won't even be able to see your house much less you seeing over to your neighbor.
Rest assured they won't die due to drought, freeze, or anything else known to man.

You know I kid right?

In BCS, we've had good success with Arizona cypress. Have tried Arborvitae, Oleander and wax Myrtle with little success in the clay. Only thing that's lived and grown is the drought tolerant Arizona cypress.

Planted some Lobolly pines and are about to plant 8-10 Nellie Stevens holly on a big berm I just got done building that's 7 feet tall with 2 ft of clay and the rest a mixture of top soil and garden bed mix compost. I figured if the dirt sucks here, I'll just bring in good dirt!

Thanks everyone. Seems like Carolina Sapphire or Eastern Red Cedar are way to go with maybe red tip photenias. Heck, I may do pampas grass as a change of pace.

What about a propane cannon? Or gut pile on the fence line??

Brush Country Ag said:

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Salt cedar ?

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Please don't do that…

Sgt. Schultz said:

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Thanks everyone. Seems like Carolina Sapphire or Eastern Red Cedar are way to go with maybe red tip photenias. Heck, I may do pampas grass as a change of pace.

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https://williamson.agrilife.org/2021/01/08/red-tip-photinias/

Mom/Dad tried some red tip photinias. They had good luck with them in years past, but the the ones they planted at the farm all got this(above) and were dead in 2-3 years. I'd avoid them. The Nellie Stevens Holly mentioned by someone, earlier, is a decent choice. For anyone thinking Afghan Pine, do a search on "Afghan Pine Cotton Root Rot". Bad choice unless you're way west of I-35 (they die in moist/constantly irrigated soils).

Good luck!!

Quote:

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For anyone thinking Afghan Pine, do a search on "Afghan Pine Cotton Root Rot". Bad choice unless you're way west of I-35

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I would say you need to be as far west as Afghanistan. Use a native.