Shelterbelts for Privacy

Image Gallery This sturdy mesh fence will provide good support for quick-growing vines.

Today's world is complex, challenging ... and crowded! Space is at a premium, and new houses are typically small and close together.

Well, some people may believe that lack of privacy is the price of progress, but I don't think that has to be the case! With a little imagination, some physical labor, and a relatively small outlay of cash, almost any property owner can establish thick shelterbelts of vegetation to cloister his or her home and land ... shutting out unwelcome viewers, muffling offensive sounds, and adding attractive greenery that helps to mop up excess carbon dioxide and break the force of harsh winds. Furthermore, these living fences can even provide food. After all, there's no reason why they can't include trees, shrubs, and herbs that produce edible fruits, nuts, leaves, or roots.

OUTLINING THE PROJECT

You'll probably want to locate your shelterbelts fairly close to your property lines, so—to avoid later arguments with neighbors—the first thing to do is to delineate exactly where the lines are. It will also simplify matters a great deal if you incorporate these boundaries, and all pertinent landscaping information, into a ground plan—drawn to scale, if possible—from which to work. Once the borders are clear, they should be studied to determine which areas will require heavy screening (because of an undesirable view, strong prevailing winds I or proximity to neighbors, for example) I and which need only a lighter, primarily decorative treatment.

WHAT TO CHOOSE

The selection of the kinds of trees, shrubs, or vines used to fill in these areas will depend on several factors, such as the climate zone in which the home is located, the type of soil, the shape and orientation of the plot, and—of course—the property owner's budget! 

Nevertheless, the following list may be of some help... but—before making your purchases—do be sure to discuss any selections with an experienced gardener who's familiar with your specific area.

VINES. These are especially effective for quick cover ... and can often provide temporary shelter, allowing slowergrowing trees and the like time to mature: clematis, English ivy, silver-lace vine, trumpet vine, Virginia creeper, wisteria.