Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Friday - November 21, 2008

From: West Hartford, CT
Region: Northeast
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Native trees for privacy screen in Connecticut
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I am looking to replace a row of white pine trees with something else along the border between our yard and neighbor's yard. We only get afternoon sun and we need something that will grow to around six feet pretty quickly. We live in CT. The white pines get way too big and eventually lost the needles at the bottom and so you lose the privacy. What would you recommend we consider to replace the white pines for privacy? Thanks so much. Ginny

ANSWER:

Mr. Smarty Plants assumes that you want another evergreen to replace those pines.  Most of the evergreens native to Connecticut grow relatively tall, but luckily there are shorter varieties available for most of them.  Here are three recommendations:

Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar), 40-75 feet. Here is information about several shorter varieties.

Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar), 30-90 feet. Information about shorter varieties.

Thuja occidentalis (arborvitae), 40 to 60 feet.  Information about shorter varieties.


Chamaecyparis thyoides

Juniperus virginiana

Thuja occidentalis

 

 

More Privacy Screening Questions

Privacy screen and windbreak plants
June 14, 2008 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I am searching for ideal plants to provide a privacy screen and windbreak for the north side of my yard. I live in Pflugerville..the soil seems mostly caliche but hits limest...
view the full question and answer

Evergreen privacy hedge resistant to verticillium wilt
September 27, 2011 - I am looking for an evergreen, fast-growing privacy hedge (over 6') that is resistant to verticillium wilt and has low water requirements. I live in Monrovia, CA and have to replace hopseed bushes w...
view the full question and answer

Shrubs with fragrant flowers for screening in NY
October 27, 2010 - I'm trying to find a bush or shrub to screen my backyard and block noise. I want something I can plant along the fence that would get between 6 and 8 ft tall. Something neat, and if possible with fra...
view the full question and answer

Need plants to provide a privacy screen in Cedar Creek, TX
March 31, 2015 - We need to screen out neighbor's house. What can we plant (fast growing tree or hedge) in partial shade? Area is dry in summer, but does get soggy during heavy rain. We live east of Austin in Cedar C...
view the full question and answer

Shrub for privacy screen
June 22, 2008 - Hi, We live in Aptos near the ocean. However, what you suggest to plant near our fence to screen out the one story house behind us. They have a large tree near in their backyard that sits against our...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.