Don't know what you think about Weeping Willow trees, but it's almost an instant wildlife refuge! They grow so fast, too. I picked up two pieces of a weeping willow branch, not even as big around as a pencil, and only three feet long when some guys were trimming a Weeping Willow behind the "Wendy's" parking lot (jumped out of my truck and got them while I was in the drive-thru! Lightening SPEED!). Came home and planted them, and in only 4 years they were up into the electric lines and I had to cut them back! I LOVE them, Andy hates them! They are full of birds all the time (maybe that's why he hates them...too many birds too close to his precious TRUCK!) They poop a lot (not the trees, the birds...oh, never mind!)

Anyway, instant seclusion!

Cindy

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Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car!

If you want a fast growing evergreen then use Leyland Cypress, looks kinda like a cedar. I planted (well transplanted from the ditch across the road) some honeysuckle vine along my back property line for some privacy. The birds love it and it grows like, well like a vine lol. Another idea would be to plant butterfly bushes as long as they get lots of sun, but that will not give you privacy during the winter, but would attract the wildlife. The only concern I have about weeping willows is make sure they are not planted anywhere near a septic tank or drain field. Thier roots are very invasive. My buddy had to have his entire septic replaced due to a weeping willow tree his wife planted. It was 25 ft. away from his septic tank. Hope some of this rambling helps..

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I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." John Wayne
http://community.webshots.com/user/johncandy1005

I looked into the Leland Cypress and they look like a great idea for a screen across the back. Thanks for your help!

Lynn

I didn't think of something when I was first looking at the leland cypress. Although the lot behind us was cleared of all small trees, there are a copule of large pecan trees that don't offer any sheilding but hang over the backyard. I think a row of leland cypress, if planted too close to the fence line, will grow into the pecan branches quickly and our yard isn't deep enough to plant them away from the fence line.

Can you think of something narrow that will stay within about 20 - 25' in height? I was also thinking about a few trees along the fence line and some evergreen hedges to soften the effect. Any thoughts?

A vine along the back fence also sounds good. Would honeysuckle or jasmine get too heavy for a fence? What would grow rather quickly?

By the way, I really appreciate all of the help everyone has offered.

p31gal,

You might want to consider Laurels. They can be medium to rapid growth, and can form a nice hedge row.

Cypress suffers from the disadvantage of too much height combined with a relatively narrow base/trunk. When very tall they can be prone to falling when very high winds are present.

Check out http://tinyurl.com/2ol8x for some information on Bay Laurels.

Regards,
David

Another way to go would be to plant grapes along your fence line and let the fence be your arbor. Another idea is to plant burning bush down the fence row. You can trim it back to the depth you want, and it turns bright red in the fall. The dwarf variety only gets about 6 foot tall as well.

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I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." John Wayne
http://community.webshots.com/user/johncandy1005

Burning bush are beautiful...

Thanks, Cindy! I've actually been contemplating digging one up that I've seen on the side of the road on the tree line, LOL. I've been thinking of doing the same to a couple of mimosa's that I've seen Can a mimosa be started with a clipping?

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Talentless but connected.