Native Plants

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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.
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Wednesday - August 20, 2008
From: Rosemary Beach, FL
Region: Southwest
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Tree for screening along road
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What would you recommend for a linear tree lined street that needs to act as a buffer to hide less desirable backyards of ugly houses. The road is on lake travis near austin, texas. was hoping for a dense tree about 30' tall or so. thanksANSWER:
Probably you want an evergreen so this limits us a bit. However, here are a couple of trees that should do the job:Sophora secundiflora (Texas mountain-laurel)
Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar)
If you would consider deciduous trees, here are some suggestions:
Quercus muehlenbergii (chinkapin oak)
Rhus lanceolata (prairie sumac)
Cotinus obovatus (American smoketree)
If you would consider slightly shorter trees, here are more suggestions:
Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw)
Frangula caroliniana (Carolina buckthorn)
More Privacy Screening Questions
Hedge of native Purple Sage in Austin
November 20, 2008 - Hi,
I would like to plant a dense hedge of Purple Sage that will hopefully grow from 6-8 ' tall and about 4' wide. I purchased the Silverado Sage Leucophyllum frutescens 'Berstar Dwarf' variety....
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Shade trees for Tucson AZ
May 25, 2012 - I need to plant some "fast growing" trees or shrubs on my southwest yard in order to reduce the heat in my bedroom. What do you suggest?
I live in Tucson, Arizona.
Thank you in advance. I'm...
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Low-Maintenance Hedge for Massachusetts
February 17, 2014 - I want to put in a native low-maintenance hedge in a sunny spot with plants that can take dry soil. I would like the plants to grow to less than 4 feet wide. It can be an informal hedge, but I don't ...
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Privacy screening shrubs from La Quinta CA
July 31, 2013 - I need a solid row of screen tree / shrubs that are at least 10 feet (prefer 12) tall and can be kept trimmed to a narrow (6 foot or less?) width. Will be planted against a 6' cement wall facing west...
view the full question and answer
Fence Vines for Austin, TX
August 31, 2013 - Hi, What are the best high density vine plants for coverage on chain link fence in Austin, TX?
Thank you
view the full question and answer
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