Privacy screens: thuja green giant / steeplechase

[clevedark]

Originally Posted by Lusitan

"Dat's a nice tree yuse got dere. Would be a shame if something happened to it, yaknowwhatimean?"

Anyone have any experience growing Cryptomeria japonica in NJ? That's another possibility.

Cryptomeria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yes, I had a few cryptomeria in Maplewood--they're not a solid privacy screen because there's lots of space between the branches, but they are lovely and will give some sort of visual barrier. They are pyramidal, wide at the bottom and coming to a point on top. If you mix it with some high-growing bushes like forsythia or lilac you could achieve a dense screen.

Leland cypress is perfect for privacy purposes, but you need some room because they do get wider as they get taller. They are more columnular than the cryptomeria, that's why you get more privacy.

Arborvitae stay narrower--better for the smaller garden.

[clevedark]

Originally Posted by JustAMan37

I think the Green Giant is a great tree, just don't by it from thujagardens.com. The trees they send are about 1/4 the size of the tree they show in there sample picture. The Better Business Bureau give them a giant F with a warning. Look them up at the BBB by their phone number. I support the tree. I just don't want anyone to make the same mistake I made. I think the Green Giant is a great tree, just don't by it from thujagardens.com. The trees they send are about 1/4 the size of the tree they show in there sample picture. The Better Business Bureau give them a giant F with a warning. Look them up at the BBB by their phone number. I support the tree. I just don't want anyone to make the same mistake I made. I am trying to spread the word. Has any one else been cheated by this company. They will not answer email or phone messages after you pay.

Always buy your trees from a local nursery--they know what will grow best in your neighborhood.

[soon2sc]

Thanks to all of you. This information has been very helpful since I too want to plant a tall, privacy screen and need something that will grow very quickly. I'm in South Jersey and where I live deer would be a problem although I'm not so certain they would come as close to the house as would be necessary for them to actually feed on the trees. I was considering the Giant Thuja arborvitae - not so certain now. I have also looked on the website Fast Growing Trees and it is helpful.
Bamboo can take over an area very quickly; it is very aggressive. But I watched a gardening show on TV where they put in a barrier in the soil on both sides of where the bamboo was planted. I'm not certain how deep the barrier went or what it was made of, but whatever it was they said it would contain the bamboo to only the area planted. You might check online for info on that. Good luck to you and wish me luck also.