Need colorful trees along fence line that will grow quickly

Can anyone tell me what to use along a fence line to provide privacy that will fill in and grow to about 12'? (fairly quickly!) We need something that won't get real big around, just tall and thin. Would like something that flowers, but doesn't have to.

Have you considered crapemyrtles or Oleander? Also, Leyland cypress is a fast growing, narrow shrub that can grow 2 to 4 feet per year and takes well to pruning. Here is a link to a place that offers "fast growing" trees and shrubs...perhaps you will get some ideas there.

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/

Wax myrtles and redbuds and maybe some native plum trees.

Just remember that "fast growing" usually equates to weak trees. They are more susceptible to wind damage.

Doug

We planted thuja green giant arborvitae and they grow quickly. The first year they are not too quick, but then they take off. Ours were 18 inches high 3 years ago and they are now 7 feet tall. You can also start them around 5 feet if you need more immediate results, but the price will go up considerably. They are not flowering trees, but do provide screening and you can sheer them to keep them to a size.

Thuja would be ever green and give you year round screening plus bird habitat. The Green Giant Thuja that we have in the yard are about 10 to 15 years old and are already in the 20 foot range. You may want to look at something that stays smaller.

Look at Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. Great place for ideas aboaut trees and shrubs. Has pictures and will tell you the mature size. Our local library has one.

This message was edited Jul 15, 2011 6:26 PM

Drake Elms grow fast, but do not have a large trunk. It branches out and makes a good canopy for shade. The leaves are small (similar to a River Birch), and I find not a nuisance.

Please always research FAST GROWING plants /tree's, a) fast growing needs lots of water as they grow so quickly, b) fast growing also means lots of maintenance once they reach the hight you want, and my opinion of any fast growing hedges are BOOOOaring,
I would look out for things that bush out as it grows up-wards, has flowers or berries to feed the birds etc AND IF you can, perfumed, then you have a bit of everything that helps make a garden attractive to people and wildlife. Library books or book store will give you an abundance of pictures to help you out, go to the local office that deals with your arboretum stuff and they will help you understand what you should look out for cost wise, care wise and size wise.
The last thing you want is a hedge that will give you huge problems in 5-10 years time due to size, roots or drain problems, remember the hight of a tree also equates to the root spread and you cant block your drains OR the neighbours and you don't want trees that will soak up all the moisture from the soil all around your place or next doors.
Take a bit of time and you will be surprised just what an attractive hedge will make to your garden.
Best of Luck. Weenel.

I'm not sure if they will grow down in your neck of the wods, but we planted some Black Locust and they grew like weeds. They are amazing. And they do flower. Ours were about 5 years old when we had a very bad early snow storm, and they weathered it just fine-unlike MANY trees in the area, including my neighbor's maple which fell on our fence. They did bend down, but didn't snap. We've had some pretty wild wind storms and aside from a few small branches and lost leaves, they've done fine. They do have thorns on young growth and will sprout just about everywhere from the parents, but if you are mowing the areas around them, that isn't a problem (it's amazing how quick you can have a 2' seedling in your lawn). In fact, one was eaten to the ground by a rabbit and still grew back! Ours aren't planted near any water lines or septic systems, not sure how water hungry they are.