Create Privacy with Screen Trees as a Barrier

“My neighbor has an old car sitting in his yard that I don’t want to look at every time I sit on my back porch.”

“The property behind me is being developed, and we need a barrier.”

“I’ve just put in a swimming pool and need some privacy.”

“We need a living privacy screen that is low maintenance and will last for years.”

These are prime examples of one of the most frequent requests presented to us here at Ooltewah Nursery.

So, what types of trees and shrubs make a good privacy hedge, but also grow well in the Chattanooga area?  Whether you prefer a continuous row of one variety of evergreens, or a mix of evergreens and deciduous plants, a beautiful and functional living privacy fence can offer many benefits to the homeowner and their neighbors.

Evergreen trees and shrubs keep their foliage throughout the year, while deciduous plants lose their leaves in the fall and produce new growth in the spring.  I prefer a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs.  Choose plants that look different in foliar texture, flower, and foliage color.  This adds a variety of colors and textures, creating interest and beauty throughout the year. 

Whichever you choose, there are many advantages.  A few of these are listed here:

• A fast-growing boundary to define property lines

• A living fence can reduce noise from traffic or neighbors

• A windbreak can limit the wind and protect your home

• A natural habitat hedge can provide shelter for birds and beneficial insects, or deter deer entry.

An elegant landscape screen can provide privacy, increase your home’s value, and block undesirable elements outside of your landscape, but most of all it can increase your quality of life and the quality of your family’s lives.

Sun-loving evergreen trees that grow well in southern Tennessee:

• Junipers

• Arborvitaes

• Magnolias

• Arizona Cypress

• Deodar Cedar

• Hinoki False Cypress

• Cherry Laurel

• Cryptomeria

• White Pine

• Holly

• Cleyera

Evergreens for shade:

• Camellias

• Osmanthus

• Japanese Yews

KAT TIPS:

Before you start planting, always do a soil test in the area where you want your screen. Most evergreens prefer a slightly acidic soil pH of 5.5 to 6. Cultivate the soil to a depth of 6” to 8” deep.  This part of Tennessee often has clay soil, which doesn't drain well. We recommend digging the planting hole much wider and working in a soil conditioner like Nature’s Helper with a slow-release or organic fertilizer. For heavy clay soils, you could also consider building a berm and planting atop that for added water drainage. 

Measure the space to know how many trees you will need. It is very important to space the trees according to the size they will become once mature, and NOT what they are now. They need room to grow. Also, take note of any overhead power lines. Do your research in advance to select the right kind of trees or shrubs that will not become too tall or too wide for your space.

Watch how the sunlight moves across your property. How many hours of direct sunlight will the trees receive? Shade-loving evergreens will not thrive in full sun spots and vice versa.

After planting, trees and shrubs need to be watered once a day for the first week. Water at least once a week from April to November. If we have a drought, you may have to water up to three times a week during that time. Installing a soaker hose, or drip irrigation system would be a great time-saving option. Remember that it can take a full 2 years for the roots of new trees to become well-established.

Whatever you decide to do, sit back and enjoy the privacy and beauty of your new outdoor living space that will be created as your new living screen grows.