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Achievable to block view #745295

Asked April 20, 2021, 11:49 AM EDT

I need some shrubs to block a view on a sandy hill north of Brainerd MN. The hill gets hot with the afternoon sun. And in Brainerd it can get -30 in the winter. Any ideas about what will grow and block a view up there? Thanks, Brad Miller

Cass County Minnesota

Expert Response

We don't know how tall the shrubs need to be to serve your purpose and we presume they will be growing in full sun and that you prefer evergreen to deciduous shrubs to provide a year around screen.

With those limitations and considerations in mind, we think junipers or arborvitae may be suitable.  Many varieties and sizes are available.

Juniper:

https://images.app.goo.gl/sa7o2dBBdrAHSX5n9

Arborvitae:

https://images.app.goo.gl/7idmUbPdsUJjv1kLA

Go here to learn more about evergreens that might work:

https://extension.umn.edu/trees-and-shrubs/choosing-evergreens-your-landscape#evergreens-for-zone-3-851911

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 20, 2021, 12:17 PM EDT
I don't think those will work because of the deer.  They will eat them down to the bare bark.  Do you have any other ideas?  It would be nice if they were 5-15 feet tall.

Thanks, Brad

From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2021 11:17 AM
To: Brad Miller <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Achievable to block view (#0015226)
 
The Question Asker Replied April 23, 2021, 5:28 PM EDT

Deer usually leave junipers alone.  We will suggest some other possibilities next week. 

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 23, 2021, 8:40 PM EDT
Following are some deciduous shrubs that might serve your purpose:
Gray dogwood
Red osier dogwood
Lilac
High bush cranberry
Sumac
Mock orange
Downy arrow-wood viburnum
Nannyberry viburnum
Serviceberry (various species)

This reference may also be of interest:
https://extension.umn.edu/find-plants/trees-and-shrubs#choosing-and-caring-for-evergreens-2366460


An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 26, 2021, 7:50 AM EDT

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