Native Plants
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Tuesday - April 01, 2008
From: Whitehouse Stationq, NJ
Region: Northeast
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Native trees for privacy screen in New Jersey
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Looking for a tree (preferably an evergreen) for a privacy hedge in Whitehouse Station, NJ. Would like a very fast growing tree that is deer resistant. Also the privacy hedge will be planted along a septic field so I think it needs to be an upland tree.ANSWER:
We don't know what an "upland" tree would be, but selected trees native to North America recommended for New Jersey that are evergreen and can tolerate a moist soil. Some are obviously more desirable than others, and some are attractive to deer, so we'll tell you what we found out and let you make your own decision. You can probably get some better information closer to home by contacting the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. When you go to that website, you can click on Hunterdon County and get contact information, phone numbers, etc. They may have literature on the type trees that would do better for your purposes, and can advise you on soil and culture.
Pinus resinosa (red pine) - If preferred food is lacking, white-tailed deer, snowshoe hares and cottontails will browse seedlings. Moose show moderate preference for Red Pine browse when other browse is dormant. Do you have moose in New Jersey? Images of Pinus resinosa.
Pinus strobus (eastern white pine) - Number of mammals, including deer, browse seedlings and twigs, eat bark, etc.
Thuja occidentalis (arborvitae) - Deer find the soft evergreen foliage a very attractive winter food and strip it readily. Images of Thuja occidentalis.
Pinus virginiana (Virginia pine) - No mention found of being attractive to deer. Images of Pinus virginiana
Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) - Pollen is a known allergen, and it is not tolerant of ice coatings.
More Privacy Screening Questions
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Evergreen shrub with dense base for screen in Austin
November 11, 2010 - I just bought a house in Austin and am looking for an evergreen shrub to use as a thick hedge between my elevated yard and a bus stop. The only shrubs I can come up with tend to get thin toward the b...
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Dog-safe Privacy Screen for Ocala, FL
June 25, 2015 - Am desperately searching for fast growing privacy that would be non toxic to dogs in Ocala, Florida (zone 9 I think). Wanted Leland cypress but due to toxicity it won't work.
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Hedge plant for Maui.
February 17, 2009 - Question: I live in Pukalani, Maui, Hawaii and would like to put a "living fence" around my yard for some privacy. Ideally, I want something that is going to grow fast and about 8+ feet tall for a h...
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Screen for utility box in Seabrook TX
February 21, 2011 - Utility box cover: Thinking of using star jasmine on a three sided fence/trellis. Each side 3 ft sq. I can send a picture. Not sure best fence style to use or way to plant. Suggestions? Need cove...
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