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Well, it happened... the developer behind us started building the four houses in the lot behind us. 
They are HUGE 2-story houses... with one looking directly down into our yard and into our main living area
So, we're scrambling to find fast-growing non-deciduous trees to hopefully give us a bit of privacy.
We've been doing a TON of research, working with local landscape designers, master gardeners, etc. that are familiar with our area (USDA Hardiness Zone 9b).
Here are all the trees we've been considering (alpha order):
We're choosing Lemonwood because its fast, upright, and naturally dense growth creates a lush, evergreen privacy wall that blocks second-story views within just a few years, all while handling clay soil and requiring minimal maintenance.
We are thinking we'll go with 24‑inch box trees because they clear our 7‑ft fence right away but avoid the transplant shock you get with giant trees. From what I can tell, the research and real-world experience show that smaller trees actually establish faster and grow better post-planting, while bigger boxes tend to slow growth and cost more (plants and machinery to get them).
So, we went to the local nursery today to look at them. They had the 25 gallon ones in-stock... probably 7' tall!
Sooo, what do y'all think? Any other ideas, suggestions, or experiences with this species?
They are HUGE 2-story houses... with one looking directly down into our yard and into our main living area
So, we're scrambling to find fast-growing non-deciduous trees to hopefully give us a bit of privacy.
We've been doing a TON of research, working with local landscape designers, master gardeners, etc. that are familiar with our area (USDA Hardiness Zone 9b).
Here are all the trees we've been considering (alpha order):
- Carolina Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana)
- Fern Pine (Podocarpus gracilior)
- Indian Laurel Fig (Ficus microcarpa ‘Nitida’)
- Lemonwood / Tarata (Pittosporum eugenioides)
- Pacific Wax Myrtle (Myrica californica, also known as Morella californica)
- Ray Hartman Ceanothus (Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’)
We're choosing Lemonwood because its fast, upright, and naturally dense growth creates a lush, evergreen privacy wall that blocks second-story views within just a few years, all while handling clay soil and requiring minimal maintenance.
We are thinking we'll go with 24‑inch box trees because they clear our 7‑ft fence right away but avoid the transplant shock you get with giant trees. From what I can tell, the research and real-world experience show that smaller trees actually establish faster and grow better post-planting, while bigger boxes tend to slow growth and cost more (plants and machinery to get them).
So, we went to the local nursery today to look at them. They had the 25 gallon ones in-stock... probably 7' tall!
Sooo, what do y'all think? Any other ideas, suggestions, or experiences with this species?
