How to Create a Natural Tree and Shrub Fence
A fence is a classic way to define your own home ownership, provide a level of privacy, and keep dogs and small people from running out into the street. But if the standard white picket fence isn’t right for you, trees and shrubs may offer a more natural option. If you already have a fence, you can add ornamental trees or shrubs for extra greenery and privacy. However, those without responsibilities with pets and children may opt for the tree or shrub option.
How to plant trees to create a natural fence
Mature trees provide the most coverage when it comes to privacy fences, and evergreen trees are the most common tree fences. These lush trees will provide shelter throughout the year, require very little maintenance, and reach 20 to 60 feet in height at maturity , depending on the tree type.
Thuja Green Giant and American Pillar Arborvitae are fast growing evergreen trees that tolerate direct and indirect sunlight well and are not affected by deer. You can buy them one to two feet tall and they will grow three to four feet a year. So, you start with a waist-high fence, and after two to three years, you will have a complete privacy fence. A bunch of ten trees from one to two feet costs between $ 170 and $ 180 . If you’re looking for a little more privacy right away (and you’ve got the budget), five-foot trees are $ 150 each . Garden Goods Landscaping Site recommends planting plants in a zigzag pattern four feet apart for optimal privacy.
Another tree-like plant that provides privacy and fast-growing is bamboo. Although they belong to the family of cereals , the height and appearance of the bamboo are reminiscent of trees. The stems are slender and, when grouped together, form a wall with leaves that provide lush coverage. Bamboo is a hardy plant that grows in both hot and cold climates. Tropical bamboo can grow up to four feet in one day , and in general can reach 40 meters in height (about 113 feet). It is the perfect tree to pair with a traditional fence, creating a Zen garden feel as well as privacy and safety for pets and children.
Garden and Nursery Bamboo Sourcery recommends a planting area at least two feet wide and advises that flower boxes are best for narrower spaces. When a suitable bamboo species is found, Growing a Greener World offers a “lumpy bamboo” (sympodial or pachimorphic) that has short roots and is three to ten feet long at full maturity. These bamboo trees are easier to care for than “running bamboos” (momopodial or leptomorphic), which tend to grow quickly and cumbersome, with roots reaching 18 inches deep. Bamboo can cost anywhere from $ 22 to $ 88 per pot, depending on the cover required.
How to plant bushes for privacy
Shrubs are another organic fencing option that offers the flexibility of partial to full coverage and privacy. By comparison, trees can grow up to 20 feet in height, and bushes can grow to about 13 feet on average (even though they can grow to the size of a tree). Shrubs also give your garden a different look than the classic evergreen – they can produce flowers or berries that bring vibrant colors and more garden feel to your yard.
Blue Princess Holly – a festive bush, which creates privacy at an altitude of up to 15 feet , but proper pruning will make them as short as you like. The dark green leaves sprout small clusters of red berries that add a festive vibe to your garden and simply highlight your organic fence. They are hardy plants that survive in any planting zone and thrive in hot or cold weather. It is a slow growing plant, so be prepared for your privacy goals to take a while. These shrubs cost about $ 25 per plant, or less when purchased in a bundle.
Euonymus bushes come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors to customize the look of your plant fence. Euonymus common, commonly known as the ” burning bush “, consists of thin spreading sticks with fiery red leaves. The most common type of euonymus is the golden euonymus bush , which boasts leathery green and yellow leaves that will create a lush wall of privacy for your backyard. Golden euonymus can grow up to 10 feet high and six feet wide. Good pruning can give the shrub the height it needs.
In spring, golden euonymus blooms with small greenish-white flowers, and they are evergreen, so your fence will withstand any weather all year long. They require watering once to twice a week while they are growing and once a week when they are fully grown. Small doses of fertilizer in the spring (and sometimes fall) will keep these vibrant bushes healthy. This organic fence costs between $ 21 and $ 70 depending on size.