View Full Version : Conifers...
Tussiemussies
10-16-12, 5:23am
I know that Mrs. M. Is an expert and I' m sure others might have some information too.
I am looking to add some pine trees that look like full Christmas trees in for some privacy. We would like something that grows fast and to about 12 feet high.
We don't like the thinner pine trees but the type you would see at Christmas time... For the home...
Thanks!:)
White pines grow fast and taller than you mention.
I prefer the shape of spruce trees for landscaping, but they grow much more slowly.
You probably should ask someone at a landscape nursery in your area about dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties. The only fast-growing, 12' evergreen that comes to my mind is a low-growing variety of arborvitae, which the deer love to eat.
I love white pine. They grow fast. They are more susceptible to ice storms, but recover nicely. Spruce trees DO grow very, very slowly.......although they would make the best privacy "fence". Just don't get Austrian pines, as they all seem to be dying. But even with white pine, they take a couple years to take off (if you get 3-4 year olds). So you probably won't get much privacy for at least 10 years. Oh........and white pine and spruces easily grow to 20-50'. So I'm thinking an evergreen hedge of some sort might be a good choice for you.
Tussiemussies
10-16-12, 6:52am
Thank you Rosemary and Cathy A, there is some wooded area so we don't want like a privacy hedge but just some carefully placed pine trees to look naturalized and give some more privacy. I like white pine but really want the Christmas tree look....:)
Then I would go with something like Norway spruce or Black Hills Spruce. Maybe you could spring for starting out with an older specimen, so you wouldn't have to wait so long for privacy from it. Concolor firs are beautiful too, but I haven't seen many of them for sale around here.
Tussiemussies
10-16-12, 8:01am
Thanks Cathy A , I will take a look at the Internet to see what they look like!:)
Norway spruces are beautiful, but also get quite large. I would vote for holly. It isn't fast growing, but not too slow either, and you can prune holly to the shape you want without harm. American holly are quite nice, can grow to the height you want and females have red berries to boot, as long as you add a male somewhere.
The thing with fast growing trees is, the general rule is if it grows fast, it doesn't live as long, or as hearty/strong as you might want. There are hundreds of juniper types out there. Really, a shape/color for every situation. I would visit a nursery.
How tall do you want it to end up?
I've discovered that some of my spruces don't get very tall, if they are a little crowded or don't get alot of sun.
Ask your local extension office what grows native in your area. Then choose, cuz the wildlife will thank you for it.
Rubbing hands vigorously together over this thread! H-E-L-L-O... Tussie! :)
OK, so much to talk about Re: this thread topic. Conifers, that mature-out to 12'-15' (or there about), are a variety of evergreen referred to as Dwarf Conifers, and in selecting a Dwarf Conifer variety, the most important thing a gardener needs to keep in mind is that most Dwarf varieties grow very, very slowly, so planning around the growth rate is important.
Taken from the web: Dwarf Conifers are simply smaller variations of their parent plant. They are smaller because they grow slower, not because they have an inherent maximum height or width.
The above does not apply as a standard whole, or rule-of-thumb Re: Dwarf Varieties, as most Dwarf Varieties do have a maximum height/width mature age, well below that of their parent varieties. Something to keep in mind.
Here (http://www.hort.net/images/gallery/jpg-wm/pin/picglco00.jpg?Picea%20glauca%20%27Conica%27&cat=habit) is a variety of Dwarf Conifer that is referred to as the Picea Glauca, or Dwarf Alberta. It's of the Spruce family, and will mature-out to be in the neighbourhood of 10'-12' in height, and approx 5-6' in diameter around the base (respectfully).
It requires no shaping, pruning, or shearing, and grows in a neatly-formed cone like manner. However, in areas where there is relatively high sunshine mixed with snowfall accumulation (winter months), Dwarf Alberta Spruce (in these areas or zones), need to be wrapped to avoid winter-burn, a condition that is the result of the rays of the sun reflecting off the surface of the snow which has a burning effect on the needles of the tree. (Something you definitely need to consider when making such a choice).
One effective way you can work around the slow growth rate of this Dwarf variety, is to select a "started" specimen, meaning it has already been planted and has had anywhere from 5-10 years to get to a relatively mature height. Specimens that have had 7-10 years at a quality nursery, will range in size (height wise) from 4-6', and you can expect an average annual growth rate of about 2-3 inches per season (height wise), more in rainier/wetter climates.
However, if a gardener has the patience and willingness to invest in such a variety, the reward value will trump all other choices! Dwarf Alberta Spruce, are decorative and afford any garden with a sense of formality and ornamental richness!
Rosemary, speaks of Arbaviatea, which fall into two basic categories, Green Arborvitae, and Giant Arborvitae. They are Cedar trees (essentially), and the Green Arborvitae, grows to a mature height of 15'-18', where as the Giant Arborvitae, can grow to a mature height of 30' and beyond.
Here (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3968353139_ed1b80d7c3.jpg) is a mass of Emerald Green Arborvitae. They have a standard growth rate that is fast, and are a superb choice for privacy/screen options, however, they do not spread or cone (cone, as in shape) like that of the Dwarf Alberta, which most closely resembles a traditional Christmas tree look.
Plus side of Arborvitae varieties, they are very affordable, extremely hardy, and are rich in colour year round.
Negative side of Arborvitae, deer will feed on them (winter months), thus ruining the natural esthetically pleasing shape and appearance of them, so wiring or wrapping will be required if you have deer that frequent your area. If no deer, you have nothing to worry about!
As for standard varieties of Spruce and Pine trees, they simply do not stay manageable for long, and often outgrow their surroundings.
Mrs.M......do they have a pretty short life span?
Another option, Tussie, is a variety known as "Upright Junipers". These are exceptionally decorative and highly ornamental conifers, are relatively slow growing, and don't get out of control as far as mature height and size goes.
This variety of conifer is fairly vast in species and types, so I'm going to only touch on two specific kinds that I feel would be ideal choices for your application.
The first variety I'm going to introduce is the Wichita Blue Juniper (http://www.greatoaksnursery.org/TRJUNWHICBLUE.jpg). I've chosen this variety for it's natural flexibility, which I think will be of particular interest to you.
Here (http://www.jcbakker.com/assets/images/products/large/48300_Wichita.jpg) is another beautiful picture of how they look once established. Wow!
With Upright Junipers, most require gentle shaping and shearing, and because the Wichita variety, naturally grows in a Christmas Tree like formation, it makes for a superb species for what you are after.
It matures-out at around 15'-18' (respectfully), has a quick growth rate of 12"-20" per season, and makes for an excellent choice as a screen/privacy fence.
Going back to what I previously mentioned Re: shaping and shearing of this conifer variety, once the conifer "takes", meaning establishes itself (2-3 growing seasons), you can slowly start shaping and shearing the tree to precisely mimic a true Christmas Tree form! How is that for awesomeness!
And, as with all varieties of Juniper (both low and upright specimens), they are naturally deer-tolerant, meaning deer will avoid them, which is an added plus!
And, depending on how aggressive you want to be in the manner in which you choose to shape/shear your Wichita Junipers, you can create a close, tightly-cropped surface area with little effort, making for an immaculately formed specimen!
Which variety, CathyA?
In our area, I see Arborvitae, that are decades old, massive, and still as gorgeous as the day they were planted, as for Juniper, depending on the variety, I would venture to say that a gardener need not concern themselves over the lifespan of such conifers, as the Skyrocket Juniper alone has a life-expectancy of well beyond 50-60 years (if cared for properly), and as far as Dwarf Alberta Spruce go, they too survive for decades.
To add, the selection of conifers I have posted thus far, should be well within the Gardening Zone range for your area, Tussie, but I would definitely confirm with an arborist or nursery specialist to ensure.
Gardening Zone range, referring to hardiness of.
Mrs M........how did you come to know so much about trees? Inquiring minds want to know. :)
Lastly (for now), are the Hillspire Juniper (http://www.thetreefarm.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/h/i/hillspire-upright-juniper_1.jpg), and the Admiral Juniper (http://www.thetreefarm.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/d/admiral-upright-juniper-tree.jpg), both reaching mature heights of 15'-20', with base-spreads of 10'-12', making them another ideal choice for screening/privacy, as well as traditional Christmas Tree resemblance.
I did a quick search to check out what your USDA Hardiness Zone was, and it's nearly the same as ours, only a bit more forgiving, which means the gardening zone where you live opens up more options to you in the way of ornamental plantings. A big plus!
CathyA. I love trees and gardening, and I read/delve into the world of gardening whenever I have a chance, as well as ask lots of questions and inquire whenever I'm out and about. I just love running into people and chatting about gardening with them!
Had a little extra time on my hands tonight, so am posting one more variety for you, Tussie.
The Pinus Mugo Tannenbaum (http://statebystategardening.com/images/uploads/article_uploads/12FebMW_W3-A_2b.jpg). A true (Pine) conifer Christmas Tree! Beautiful rich green colour (year round), is compact with a superior pyramidal shape, and hardy!
Mature specimens reach 10'-12' in height, and have a 6'-8' spread/width, making them a quality selection for use as a privacy/security fence/border.
Tussiemussies
10-17-12, 2:36am
Ask your local extension office what grows native in your area. Then choose, cuz the wildlife will thank you for it.
Great idea Kay. Just hope the ones I like will be on the list! Thanks for mentioning this...
Tussiemussies
10-17-12, 2:40am
Hi Mrs. M, thank you so much for sharing all this great information with me. I really like the idea of the dwarf species. Kay brought up a good point too to get something that is natural to this area. I also love the idea of having some holly trees as I love them too, I don't think I will put them in the woods though since I want the woods to still look natural.
You really know a lot about conifers. It must be that great memory that you have!
Tussiemussies
10-17-12, 3:42am
Had a little extra time on my hands tonight, so am posting one more variety for you, Tussie.
The Pinus Mugo Tannenbaum (http://statebystategardening.com/images/uploads/article_uploads/12FebMW_W3-A_2b.jpg). A true (Pine) conifer Christmas Tree! Beautiful rich green colour (year round), is compact with a superior pyramidal shape, and hardy!
Mature specimens reach 10'-12' in height, and have a 6'-8' spread/width, making them a quality selection for use as a privacy/security fence/border.
Thank you Mrs M for thinking of me tonight. I do like this tree. It does look like a Christmas tree and is hardy like you said and would grow the right height for us. I am going to show this to DH and see what he thinks. Also will find out if it is native to the area...
Thank you again!:)
You are most welcome, Tussie.
One thing to keep in mind (very important) with Mugo Pines, they require regular stringent watering (summer months). We have the lower (shrub) variety of Mugo, and come the hot weather, you have to be on it in the watering department. They like water and need it!
The best advice I can give to you, is to drop-by a local nursery in your area and view the conifer selections they have. It will give you a more solid idea as to their size, shape, and colour, and will also help you gauge what sorts of other varieties of shrubs/conifers/plantings compliment them.
Dwarf Conifer species, when married with other species, make for a spectacular formal garden setting. The colour variance and contrast is spectacular, which is why I love gardening so much with conifers and shrubs.
Came across this picture (http://www.britishconifersociety.org.uk/bcs/modules/coppermine/albums/userpics/10005/normal_Abies%20lasiocarpa%20Compacta%20view%202.jp g) this morning and just had to share it!
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