Favorite "Privacy Hedge" options?

[John_KAYS]

I know there are a lot of options out there, but I am curious what you all usually recommend. I'm talking Eastern PA, Zone 6, and southern exposure.

Of course, there is arborvitae, leyland cypress, privet, etc., but what do people like? Any creative ideas? Bamboo?

I just thought I would ask my friends of TreeBuzz instead of deciding myself.

Thanks.

 

[Boomslang]

Spruce and pine hedges are fairly popular around here. Honeysuckle makes a nice hedge too. Bamboo would be a nightmare I feel.

 

[RopeShield]

Beech and Hemlock my favs
Horsechesnut hedge would be fun

 

[Evan Sussman]

Bamboo would be a nightmare I feel.

Bamboo is great, IF a non-invasive aka clumping species is selected. They can be tame if the right one for the space is selected.

Bamboos have been given a bad name because too many people have gone around and planted running bamboos. Not all bamboo are created equal.

 

[Nish]

Southern magnolia. I hear it's hardy to zone 6. Cultivars selection and pruning might keep it appropriately sized. Without full sun it seems to perform better than a lot of the other evergreen options.

 

[TreeVB]

I like varieties of yew hedges. Seem pretty hardy to me and look like they would do well in your region

 

[John_KAYS]

Great suggestions! I seriously hate bamboo, but I do believe it can be very effective in certain circumstances. I would definitely avoid running bamboo, as there is no way to control it, even with barriers I feel it finds it's way through. There is a particular stretch that needs something quite slim, but tall...so IDK. I love the southern magnolia suggestion...that would be incredible. I also, like the idea of the yews, and spruce would definitely work in one area, but not as well in the tighter area.

I had been thinking about hornbeam, and hemlock would be an excellent option if it weren't for the woolly adelgid and scale that is all over our area. You wouldn't know it if you looked into the woods here, but Pennsylvania's state tree is the Hemlock. I'm not saying this eliminates the hemlock, but it does make me look at other options a little closer.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I know I will have to be creative about this particular hedge, so I appreciate all the thoughts and recommendations.

 

[oldoakman]

My son in law is an estate manager in Southampton NY and prior to that worked for a huge landscape CO in East Hampton. They use a lot of columnar hornbeam and privet out there. Believe it or not, when he shears the privet, he actually uses a lazer level.

 

[John_KAYS]

he actually uses a lazer level.

Now that is dedication! I like it. This side is the same height as that side!

 

[BRT]

When you say privet--are you talking ligustrum--Ligustrum ovalifolium? (Name variations abound for these beauties) I've seen lots of privet that I don't think made good hedge. But the ligustrum that is prevalent here in Tidewater VA is very attractive, full, and has a nice smelling bloom in spring.

*not certain it is happy that far north, but this site says zone 5-8: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=c323

 

[CutHighnLetFly]

Privot/burning bush are awesome if maintained by mixing sheering with handsnip/handsaw cuts. Evergreens are cool but I feel are tough to maintain in a hedge row

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

Chinese juniper 'Keteleeri' is what I have been selling in our area. 25' tall deer resistant, salt resistant. Pretty drought tolerant too from what I have seen so far.

 

[John_KAYS]

Privot/burning bush are awesome if maintained by mixing sheering with handsnip/handsaw cuts. Evergreens are cool but I feel are tough to maintain in a hedge row

Totally agree with mixing with handsnip/handsaw cuts. Otherwise, it creates an unworkable condition if sheering is all that is done.

View attachment 36581 Chinese juniper 'Keteleeri' is what I have been selling in our area. 25' tall deer resistant, salt resistant. Pretty drought tolerant too from what I have seen so far.

Deer resistant is a plus! I mean, with all the deer around here if you want a privacy screen that starts 6' up... then you can go with an arborvitae or something, right?
Do you know how the Chinese Juniper do with other pests?

 

[Malgummi]

It might sound a Little strange and a Little off Topic too... but how about a hedge out of a few variants of columar Fruit trees?? Apples like the M. dom. 'Rapsodie' or M.dom. 'Sonate'?? there's pears and Plums. Or even chasing down some oversize Vaccinium corybosum if you don't have to go too large (A hedge with great autumn coluoring)

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

Deer resistant is a plus! I mean, with all the deer around here if you want a privacy screen that starts 6' up... then you can go with an arborvitae or something, right?
Do you know how the Chinese Juniper do with other pests?

I had one client question it's resistance to Apple cedar rust (when she was deciding what to plant). When I looked it up they are resistant but can get it if conditions are perfect. I put three in last year and they had zero problems and the HO did them no favors (zero water after planting). I have 16 to put in the ground this year, 9 on one property. I've been pretty happy so far.

 

[John_KAYS]

It might sound a Little strange and a Little off Topic too... but how about a hedge out of a few variants of columar Fruit trees?? Apples like the M. dom. 'Rapsodie' or M.dom. 'Sonate'?? there's pears and Plums. Or even chasing down some oversize Vaccinium corybosum if you don't have to go too large (A hedge with great autumn coluoring)

I like the creative suggestions. Edible hedge with beautiful autumn coloring...very interesting.

I had one client question it's resistance to Apple cedar rust (when she was deciding what to plant). When I looked it up they are resistant but can get it if conditions are perfect. I put three in last year and they had zero problems and the HO did them no favors (zero water after planting). I have 16 to put in the ground this year, 9 on one property. I've been pretty happy so far.

Sounds great. Thanks. Nothing is idiot proof, but I like making it as easy as possible and the least problematic.

Lots of great ideas... It's great to get so many suggestions! I was getting "writer's block" trying to think of creative ideas, I always seem to get stuck thinking about the same few species and felt there has to be more interesting ways to go.

 

[evo]

Dwarf hemlock, wax myrtle, red twig dogwood, hawthorn, are a few that come to mind. Screw bamboo I hate the stuff clumping or not.

 

[TreeCo]

Do consider mature size. It's a shame to see privacy planting get butchered because they grow too wide for the space allowed. Magnolia comes to mind.

Degroot's spire is an interesting arborvitae.

 

[Malgummi]

@flyingsquirrel25 I don't know about apple cedar rost. We don't get that here in Europe as far as I know. But the Gymn. juniperi-virginiane sounds alot like the Gymn. sabinae which we do get. Although you guys will have ceders everywhere

 

[GrahamS]

Depending on desired height I like to add some fastigate / columnar trees into the mix just to give it a more unique look. Have had good success with Regal Prince Oak, Columnar Hornbeam's, and more recently Prairie Sentinel Hackberry.