A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum Shrubs and Trees Tree selection suggestions?

Hi. This is my first question on the board here!

I am trying to decide what type of evergreen to buy for my back yard. My property backs up to a business property, and I'd like a tree that will provide a good screen. I don't want a solid wall of trees like arborvitae, although I do plan to use those as well.

I'm trying to decide on an evergreen tree that will grow nice and tall, at least thirty feet, and provide relatively thick cover from the eyesore across the fence. It can't be too wide on the bottom, though, because it will be planted within about 4 feet to a fence and also near a swingset.

This tree will be sort of a showcase tree or focal point smack in the center of the back edge of my yard.

Trees I've read about are canadian hemlock (although I understand there is a serious asian beetle problem killing these trees), eastern white pine (maybe too wide?), and balsam fir (I think this might be too slow growing).

Any suggestions?

Also, a totally different topic - my daughter got some quaking aspen seeds in a restaurant kids' menu (believe it or not) and I'd like to start them with her. Any suggestions on this process? I've never started a tree from seed before.

Oh, yeah, and we have deer, rabbits, and groundhogs here.

Thanks very much!

New Jersey Ivy

White Pine look really nice, as far as size I have no idea though. You could always plant a Japanese Yew Tree and shape it each year they grow really tall, someone by me has an old one that's over 15 ft high with bright red berries, that's one plant! The birds love it!

Looks like this

Hi Keith - thanks for your reply. That is a really lovely tree, and a great suggestion.

This tree is the new age tree,
http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/Instructions/ThujaInst.ht
very good choice for what you discribe.
As for the aspen they are hard to start from seed, In the fall plant then out in a protected seed bed cover lightly, water and then let mother nature do the rest. Come spring watch for tiny seedlings. Aspens generaly reproduce by cloning themselves from root suckers.

Think about something other than a conifer. Magnolia grandiflora is a beautiful tree with large blossoms.

Magnolia grandiflora