One of the best things about home ownership is the ability to enjoy an outdoor space and the privacy of your own home. That being said, many yards leave homeowners feeling exposed and not getting the kind of privacy they had hoped for. The less private our yards feel, the less likely we are to spend time there.
Some folks will put up fences, but others are hesitant to do so largely due to the fact that they worry about the message it might send to neighbors. That being said, trees are a wonderful alternative that can help keep noise both in and out and give you that same sense of privacy.
Today, we’re going to discuss some of the things you’ll need to consider if you’re looking to plant privacy trees. Let’s jump right in!
Height and width
As with any tree, you need to take into account the full, mature size of the plant before you purchase and plant it. Not only do they need to be big enough to give you the kind of privacy you want, but also they’ll need to serviceably fit within the confines of the space you’re giving them.
In addition, you’ll have a lot of other things to consider – including utility lines, property lines and power lines – all of whom you’ll want to be sure you’re clear of. You don’t want root systems intermingling too much either – as that can adversely affect the long-term health of the trees themselves.
The space you have to work with
A common mistake privacy planters make is that they don’t put proper consideration into the space they have and they’ll end up congesting their yard with plants or under planting for bigger spaces. Everything you do should be done with the hopes of maximizing your space.
Yards are to be enjoyed, so you’ll want to make sure you have adequate space for your patio, furniture, grills, or whatever it you decide to have there. That takes a little future planning on your part, as these plants will eventually grow to be bigger – and might put the squeeze on your social space if you’re not thinking ahead.
How much maintenance?
One thing a lot of privacy planters take for granted is the level of maintenance needed for the plants they’re using. Long story, short – how much are you willing to spend – both in terms of money and time – into maintaining your privacy? Some hedges and trees require frequent pruning. If you’re buying younger plants, you’ll need to water them as much as possible. Some plants will stay healthy while others might struggle. Do you have enough sunlight, will you need to fertilize, etc. Plants are not fences. You don’t just put them in the ground and take them for granted.
Yes, that’s a slight drawback to planting privacy trees vs. building a fence, but it’s something you’ll ultimately have to be willing to take on (or pay someone else to take on) if it’s something you want to do.
That being said – there are low-maintenance trees and shrubs you can consider, but just make sure you know what you’re getting into.
What do your plants need?
Every plant has specific needs when it comes to sun, water and the things that it needs in order to grow and thrive. These are all things that you’ll need to take into consideration before you purchase them. We also recommend doing a soil test on your lawn. While some plants might prefer a neutral pH, some might need a more acidic or alkaline soil.
Once you have a sense of the soil, sunlight and water needs, the last thing you’ll need to consider is where your immediate privacy needs exist and what kinds of trees and plants will be options for you to consider. It’s not as simple as buying a few bushes and planting them. You’ll need to do your homework on what can work in the space and in the soil you have.
As always, privacy planting can be a significant investment and can also have a substantial impact on the value of your home, so don’t take this project lightly. As with most major projects, we highly recommend consulting a professional to get a precise view of what you’re working with and options as to what the plan heading forward would be. Good luck!
Today, we’re going to discuss some of the things you’ll need to consider if you’re looking to plant privacy trees. Let’s jump right in!
Height and width
As with any tree, you need to take into account the full, mature size of the plant before you purchase and plant it. Not only do they need to be big enough to give you the kind of privacy you want, but also they’ll need to serviceably fit within the confines of the space you’re giving them.
In addition, you’ll have a lot of other things to consider – including utility lines, property lines and power lines – all of whom you’ll want to be sure you’re clear of. You don’t want root systems intermingling too much either – as that can adversely affect the long-term health of the trees themselves.
The space you have to work with
A common mistake privacy planters make is that they don’t put proper consideration into the space they have and they’ll end up congesting their yard with plants or under planting for bigger spaces. Everything you do should be done with the hopes of maximizing your space.
Yards are to be enjoyed, so you’ll want to make sure you have adequate space for your patio, furniture, grills, or whatever it you decide to have there. That takes a little future planning on your part, as these plants will eventually grow to be bigger – and might put the squeeze on your social space if you’re not thinking ahead.
How much maintenance?
One thing a lot of privacy planters take for granted is the level of maintenance needed for the plants they’re using. Long story, short – how much are you willing to spend – both in terms of money and time – into maintaining your privacy? Some hedges and trees require frequent pruning. If you’re buying younger plants, you’ll need to water them as much as possible. Some plants will stay healthy while others might struggle. Do you have enough sunlight, will you need to fertilize, etc. Plants are not fences. You don’t just put them in the ground and take them for granted.
Yes, that’s a slight drawback to planting privacy trees vs. building a fence, but it’s something you’ll ultimately have to be willing to take on (or pay someone else to take on) if it’s something you want to do.
That being said – there are low-maintenance trees and shrubs you can consider, but just make sure you know what you’re getting into.
What do your plants need?
Every plant has specific needs when it comes to sun, water and the things that it needs in order to grow and thrive. These are all things that you’ll need to take into consideration before you purchase them. We also recommend doing a soil test on your lawn. While some plants might prefer a neutral pH, some might need a more acidic or alkaline soil.
Once you have a sense of the soil, sunlight and water needs, the last thing you’ll need to consider is where your immediate privacy needs exist and what kinds of trees and plants will be options for you to consider. It’s not as simple as buying a few bushes and planting them. You’ll need to do your homework on what can work in the space and in the soil you have.
As always, privacy planting can be a significant investment and can also have a substantial impact on the value of your home, so don’t take this project lightly. As with most major projects, we highly recommend consulting a professional to get a precise view of what you’re working with and options as to what the plan heading forward would be. Good luck!
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