small (15-20ft) evergreen for a privacy hedge?

Here's the challenge: I need helping finding a small evergreen (up to 20' tall) tree. We have a 6' solid wood fence between us and the neighbor, who has a pool, and therefore, no trees. We, on the other hand, have a corner lot, and look over at his pool from both 1st and 2nd floors of our house. My thought is to create a partial evergreen screen along 1/2 of the fenceline up to 20' tall, so, I thought of a small evergreen tree/large bush. I would prefer than it not have to be pruned, and that it not get large around at the base, nor hang over the fence too much (not many demands, huh?). We live in zone 7b....thanks ahead of time for the suggestions!

Edited for double post

This message was edited Oct 1, 2006 6:28 PM

Sounds like a good application for some of the columnar junipers, I'm not familiar with the cultivar names. Others here will know. I have used Carolina cherry laurel for screening, but I'm not sure if it's hardy in Virginia. It may be tempting to use Ligustrum but I would recommend staying away from those. You could also use southern magnolia "Little Gem", it's a dwarf magnolia.

You can create a small (and I use the term relatively) mixed border of evergreens, maybe a Pinus strobus 'Pendula' (weeping white pine), an arborvitae or two, and a dwarf spruce, and use a few shorter deciduous shrubs or dwarf conifers as accents.

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/77234/index.html

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/139114/index.html

http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/132045/index.html

Thank you all for your suggestions. I like the idea of the dwarf magnolia, and also the weeping white pine. Lots to think about!

Take a look at Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil'.

A challenge here is that there are no plants that you can bring home in 3 gallon containers, plant them this fall and have a low maintenance 20' screen within 3 years. If your plants grow fast to 20' they will keep on growing. If they max out at 20' they will be slow growers and require you to spend big bucks for large specimens.

Thuja 'Green Giant' (Green Giant Arborvitae) might be a possible choice. Here is a document from the U.S. National Arboretum:

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Newintro/grgiant.pdf

It lists a height of 30' at 30 years (which seems lower than what most people state). I agree that Magnolia 'Little Gem' is a cool plant and I have been thinking about one myself. I hear that it is a slow grower and will eventually (many years away) get to 30 to 40' tall.

- Brent

I've been looking for the same thing- an evergreen to provide privacy for our yard from the neighbors. That Green Giant sounds like a good choice. I'm thinking of going with Nellie R. Stevens Hollies. I hear they grow pretty fast, are pest and disease resistant, and live fairly long. (I was going to use Southern Wax Myrtles until I read they don't live very long).
I also have a 6 ft wood fence between us. I need something at least 10 foot in height.

Where did you hear Wax Myrtle doesn't live long? I have some here that occurred naturally and some that I planted. The ones that were already here are pretty old (1ft diameter). If they get too big you can take a chainsaw to them and they come right back looking even better. The female ones I have are loaded with berries right now.

I have heard people warn against wax myrtles for splitting and ice damage. I have lost large sections of my oldest one to ice. We cut it way back and it didn't take long for it to grow back to the same size. I haven't found a better plant for screening quickly here. I have purchased large plants for very reasonable prices and now I have volunteers to transplant. I love them.

http://www.neilsperry.com/maq_single.cfm?id=58

This is where I got the information on the Wax Myrtles. I have never had them, but thought they might be what I was looking for. Do you know if they grow as fast as the Nellie Stevens?
I need something fast growing, grows tall and thick, and isn't plagued with disease or pests. (and evergreen :o) )

"Little Gem" magnolia is an excellent choice. I have seen it used in Louisiana as a property divider and it blooms almost all the time plus having the wonderful color foliage.
Wax myrtle is another suggestions though I do not think they are as hardy as the magnolia. They are faster growing than a lot of other ideas.
A nursery truck overturned on the highway loaded with "Little Gem". The owner offered them to anyone who would take them for $10 each. This one lady had 50 and not one of them died. Gorgeous. It would be my choice. Just think, foliage available all year for flower arrangements, especially at Christmas. Flowers to scent the yard and house.....

Wax myrtle will grow faster than Nellie Stevens holly. If you leave them alone they will become more leggy like small trees. If you trim them they will become more bushy.

The Carolina Cherry Laurel that I mentioned will also grow fast and look very full.

I do like the Little Gem magnolia, I have one of those but they grow a little slower.