Beginner Gardening: Help? Trying to Create Shade in my Sunny Massachusetts Yard, 1 by beaglemom12

beaglemom12 wrote:
Thanks for your response, WeeNel!

I knew some of that info already, except I did not know it was that important it was to do a soil test! I will definitely pick one of those up at the store. I wouldn't want to spend all that money on trees that don't thrive in my soil type! Thanks for the tip!

I really like your idea about a gazebo structure over the patio to add some privacy while we wait for our trees to grow, plus it would look nice anyway, even after the trees have matured. I'm just not sure I'd want to block our view of our yard just to have privacy on the patio. We are also planning on building a low to the ground wooden deck over that concrete slab as our next project (after the kitchen reno is done). So, a gazebo over that would look fantastic, but I'm not sure how I would go about making it private without blocking our own view of the yard.

I also like your idea about the plastic bottle underground to water into so that the roots get more of the water. I might try that when we plant our trees in the beginning of fall this year (hopefully, if we can make up our minds by then).

We would like to get trees that are already at least 5 feet tall. We might be willing to spend a little more for an even taller tree if it's really nice looking because we just want privacy already. This has been a long time coming. We have been researching trees for about a year and a half now, we have just not been able to make up our minds, because it is such a long term thing and I hate the idea of cutting down a tree later, just because we made the wrong decision on the trees we chose! Just to have to start all over again... That is why we want to make sure we pick the right ones that suit our needs and will thrive in our yard.

If you would like to name some trees you think would suit our needs, it would be welcomed! I'm open to suggestions that we can do more research on and decide if it's right for us.

I spoke with my fiance about the Muskogee Crape Myrtle, and he agreed to it after a bit of persuasion. I attached a photo of one so you can get an idea of what I like, and let me know if you have any better suggestions.

I also attached a photo of the Wax Myrtle. My fiance keeps going back and forth on this one because he is afraid it's going to look too much like a shrub (same with the Muskogee Crape Myrtle), and he likes trees that have just one main trunk. But at the same time, the Wax Myrtle tree was his idea and he seemed pretty sure about it. And we both know, they can be trimmed to look more like trees.

We are very indecisive people, as you can probably tell. LOL

Anyway, if you have any ideas for better trees or for the row trees we have no contenders for, please let me know!

We are also thinking about planting Irish Moss around the bases of the trees instead of mulch (once the tree is established in its new environment, probably the following Spring). We can't use mulch because our dog would chew on it. What are your thoughts on using Irish Moss for that purpose?

Thanks again!