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Privacy trees along road #780690

Asked January 23, 2022, 5:33 PM EST

Hello, I am interested in planting a line of evergreen trees along the road in front of my house, which is approximately 250 feet long (see attached). The area would receive mostly full sun and my soil seems to be a pretty thick clay, though along the road there is a drainage ditch which helps prevent the area I'm planning to plant from flooding too much. I would prefer faster growing trees, but it's not a deal-breaker. I am planning to plant the trees ~50 feet back from the road centerline to be in accordance with zoning, keep a safe distance from power lines, and to hopefully minimize the exposure to road salt. I would like to plant a few different varieties of evergreens in a staggered pattern and am hoping for some advice on the best combinations of trees to plant. Right now, the main trees I am considering are: 1. Norway Spruce 2. Green Giant Arborvitae 3. Eastern Red Cedar Others I have considered but am not sure how well they'd fare include: Eastern White Pine (seem sensitive to road salt?), Canadian Hemlock (need partial-full shade?), and Colorado Blue Spruce (disease prone in this area?). Any advice you have for the best options would be much appreciated. I've roughly figured out planting distances based on spread, but any more detailed information on planting (distance, season, mulching, watering, etc.) would be much appreciated. Thanks! Mark Borysiak

Brown County Ohio

Expert Response

Hi Mark,

You've obviously given this planting a good deal of thought. I'm glad to see you're planting a variety of tree species. That's important to limit the spread of disease.

Your top three trees are all good choices for your purposes. You didn't mention deer, but Green Giant is supposed to be one type of arborvitae that is deer-resistant. (There are no deer-proof plants, unfortunately.) I don't have any personal experience with it, but that's my understanding.

I would definitely avoid Colorado blue spruce for the very reason you mentioned. It just isn't very adaptable to our conditions and is susceptible to a variety of diseases.

Canadian hemlock might work if you're willing to give it plenty of water, but it's really better suited for a forest setting than out in the open.

Eastern white pine is indeed sensitive to road salt, but from your description I think your trees would be far enough from the road that salt shouldn't be a problem. I have some about ranging from about 15 to 30 feet from the road, and they do just fine. (I do live on a side street, however, so the amount of road spray is limited.) 

Unfortunately I can't offer you general information on caring for the trees, because that's specific to the species you choose. And not to pass the buck, but you might find better resources from the Ohio Division of Forestry, https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-ODNR/forestry . It has foresters on staff who might be able to give you guidance. 

Good luck!

Mary Beth B. Replied January 24, 2022, 4:10 PM EST
Thanks a lot for your reply!

Good to know about the deer. I planted a few small trees this fall and some were already eaten by the deer so I plan to put some mesh around them until they’re established.

So it sounds like a combination of Norway Spruce, Green Giant, Red Cedar, and White Pine would work well? Are there any other species that I could/should add or would that be the best combination?

Thanks!
Mark

On Mon, Jan 24, 2022 at 4:10 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied January 24, 2022, 10:01 PM EST

One that comes to mind is white fir. It likes full sun and is salt-tolerant and fairly deer-resistant. I have six of them and the deer have never touched mine, even though they come through my property every night and feed on a lot of my plants. White fir does like well-drained soil (don't they all?), but planting on a mound should help. I have heavy clay, and mine are thriving.

Unfortunately I don't have a great tree list to refer to, and I'm really just a generalist. I do think the Division of Forestry may be able to suggest other trees.

By the way, I came across this list of salt-tolerant trees from Purdue that may be of help: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/fnr/fnr-faq-10-w.pdf

Mary Beth B. Replied January 25, 2022, 11:46 AM EST

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