Planting a Hedge of Trees or Shrubs Creating a Windbreak

The Hedge is an excellent way to enhance a property and provide some privacy. Planting a Hedge is a big decision, however, since it will involve dozens of Trees or Shrubs and could be next to impossible to remove once they are well established. For this reason, selecting the plants is very important, be it for privacy or to serve as a Windbreak.

In areas where the wind is quite heavy, a line of bushy Trees planted close together can create a sort of quiet space around the house and prevent some of the damage that may be caused by high winds. They can also keep prying eyes from watching you in your garden or block out some of the noise and sights of traffic in the street. Whatever the reasons for Planting a Hedge, the plants are what make or break it.

Trees or Shrubs?

Trees will provide a taller Hedge and can be ideal for those looking for a good Windbreak or a substantial amount of privacy. Where a border and only some privacy is desired, Shrubs do the trick very well.

When it comes to choosing your plants, whether you prefer Trees or Shrubs, there are a number of options. Look for something relatively fast growing, but not so fast that it will need constant care. Ideally, a tree will grow several inches or even a foot in a year, so that it will be full and thick quickly. Shrubs do not need to grow as fast, since they will be kept shorter in most cases and pruning every month is difficult to keep up.

It is also a good idea to look for plants that will hold up to the climate you live in. Areas with cold winters will need evergreens that continue to grow throughout the cooler months. Keep in mind that the narrower the tree or shrub, the more you will need to fill in a space and you will also need to allow for growth in the future.

Hedges tend to grow fairly rapidly, but it will still take time to fill in the entire space that is required. Plan accordingly, as it may take several years for all the gaps to be completely filled in. If privacy is an immediate concern, a narrower growing plant that grows rapidly is usually best.

Before Planting a Hedge, do some research on the best varieties of Trees and Shrubs for your area. A good Hedge will be designed for a specific purpose, such as a Windbreak or a privacy barrier and will grow to fit that well.