Hybrid trees (Lubec: fence, cost of, food)

[MAINEr]

I am looking for an inexpensive way to "fence" off my yard with out the high cost of fence ($5000 installed). I've seen these ads for the fast growing trees and was wondering if anyone has planted any and what their exprerience has been. I have a very bare backyard and need lots of trees.

Thanks

[AustinB]

I've planted some hybrid poplars years ago. They out grew where I had them and I had to cut them down. I've had really good luck with cedars and pine trees.

[ADSLubec]

Cedars have worked well for us in Lubec.

Alan

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Cedars are your best bet in Maine.

[Kracer]

In europe they use pruned trees as impenatrable hedgerows. I believe beech is often used.

Here in NJ I like the eastern redcedar also called a juniper.

Fast growing tress are ash and locusts. Depends where you are in Maine what might work best. You could experiment with oaks, beech prune heavily and see what happens.

You after a view blocking 'fence' on a small property or a heavy border where you could layer and stagger different species for a very wide border. Dig up local 'evergreens' and use as many different trees as possible to ensure the some cover if the some tree species don't care for their transplanted location.

Again depending on your location, forcythia, alders or other shrubs might work. Your local extension or forestry org would be a first choice for ideas.
Nat'l wildlife federation, feds and state have tons of free info and pamphlets

Space plants further than you might think so they can mature/fill out, especially the cedars. Consider where the sun rises and sets to ensure the 'fence' is positioned so the trees receive equal sunlight, especially if you run a couple of parallel rows of trees.

Give the ash or oaks some shade competition and the yearly growth will measure a couple of feet. Use some red or silver maples as temporary competition.

[tatans]

Want FAST growing trees? try Lombardi Poplars, you can almost see them grow, they do not last for 75 years but sure do the trick unless you want to wait 45 years for an oak to grow.

[SportFury59]

White Spruce. A few years back I bought mine at a "dig your own" place. $5 a piece. At that time they were about 5' tall.
I have 7 in my front yard. I just looked out window....estimate to be about 50' tall with a 15' to 20' spread. Beautiful color all year, excellent screening. Hardy, tough, no trimming, no leaves.
If you dig your own, you should do it in early spring before they bud.

[MAINEr]

I'll do some research on your suggestions. I am not particular to them lasting forever, 20 years is long enough for me, I hope to not be here for that long. I planted 2 trees when I moved here 7 years ago and one was planted at about 6" tall with 6 or 8 leaves and now stands about 15 feet, it's a maple of some sort. The other is a pine tree/evergreen (of some sort) and it started at 8 to 10 inches and now is about 4 feet tall. Both were just dug up at my aunt's house. I am just looking for something quick to hide my neighbors and keep the street noise down.

[GraniteStater]

Actually eastern Cedar is an invasive in many parts of the US as it quickly out-competes all other tree species in open fields. For windbreaks I tend to like Balsam Fir, White Spruce, Red Pine, or White Pine. All provide a good buffer against the wind and offer excellent food sources for wildlife.