Topping, Pollarding, or what??

[Matias]

In my experience, White Pines do not hedge well. They grow into a big lollipop, with multiple large upward turning leaders coming from the topping cut on the central leader, and the lower branches thin out.

Personally, I would recommend removal of the White Pines and either hedging the firs (if that is feasible) or replacing the whole row with something better suited for the intended purpose.

The Canary Island Pine aggressively sprouts suckers all over the trunk, and I bet one could perhaps train those into a hedge, but I wouldn't invest much energy into almost any species of pine as a hedge.

 

[southsoundtree]

Starting a hedge way too late and with too low of stem-density, is at the very least, an uphill battle.

How much height screens the needed areas?





Is that picture showing the whole height of the row of trees?

 

[oceans]

To me, (because you asked) this kinda comes down to two factors that lean heavily to hedge quality…shade tolerance and the tendency to sprout new growth on old wood. Neither species in question is high in either category.

IMO, I would suggest phasing out the trees over time and replacing with Thuja occidentalis. Begin where the privacy matters most and end where relative risk matters least.

Not knowing the site characteristics, it’s easy to suggest all this from the comfort of my house. What I would stress to the client is retaining them will cost much more over time in conjunction with a continually reduced privacy/hedge quality. Phasing in the right trees will be a better bet.

 

[DBH]

Thanks all think I just needed that permission.

Starting a hedge way too late and with too low of stem-density, is at the very least, an uphill battle.

How much height screens the needed areas?





Is that picture showing the whole height of the row of trees?

yes that’s the full whole height— probably don’t need more than 15-20’ of privacy screen

 

[DBH]

Not knowing the site characteristics, it’s easy to suggest all this from the comfort of my house. What I would stress to the client is retaining them will cost much more over time in conjunction with a continually reduced privacy/hedge quality. Phasing in the right trees will be a better bet.

@oceans yew ole gutter slapper! Good insight and good way to frame it. And yes… I did ask

 

[oceans]

Tell them the existing trees will provide amazing privacy on their 9th floor someday.