I'm thinking about planting a row of arborvitae along my backyard fence to enhance privacy and block the view of my neighbor's house. My yard is pretty small, only about 25 by 50 feet, and the houses are really close together. I like the tall and narrow shape of arborvitae and I've heard they're low maintenance. Currently, there's a line of six eastern hemlocks that the previous owners planted. They were about 6 feet tall when we moved in but now they're nearly 20 feet and crammed together since they were spaced too closely at around 4-5 feet. As they grow taller, they're taking up more space in my yard. However, I've come across quite a bit of negative feedback about arborvitae. Are there any other trees or plants that could serve a similar purpose? I'm in zone 6b/7a, just for reference.
4 Answers
You should definitely consider Blue Point or Taylor junipers. They provide nice privacy and have a beautiful appearance!
Before replacing the hemlocks, have you thought about pruning them? If that doesn't help, then going for a replacement makes sense, but it can be worth a shot to save what you have.
They're pretty healthy overall, but they are crowded. I was thinking of removing every other one and pruning the rest. I appreciate the suggestion!
Make sure to check out your state’s Cooperative Extension Service for advice on shrubs that work as hedges. Think about how big they’ll get, because sometimes sizes can be misleading. Planting different types in a staggered line can also be visually appealing and more resilient if diseases come around.
This is all really great advice, thank you!
Fastigiate junipers are a solid choice, but remember they don’t bounce back as easily if part of them dies. Honestly, arborvitaes are pretty reliable for your area. They’ve got a bad image due to being so common and often planted poorly by folks who don't really know what they’re doing.
Thank you, that makes sense!
I like these, thanks!