Can I grow evergreen hedge under canopy of trees

[triangler]

Hello,

I wanted to know if an evergreen tree hedge could be planted in between the trees I have in my backyard. My goals it to provide privacy between my home and the townhomes in the back. I have attached pics below. I am in 7b hardiness zone.

 

[Raintree]

Hemlocks are shade tolerant and should do well in that location. However they will need a little maintenance to keep them insect free.

 

[pdqdl]

isn't that a bit warm & south for hemlock?

https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_1/tsuga/canadensis.htm

You might get better results with a fast growing yew. This article lists a whole bunch of shade tolerant evergreens that I have never heard of:
https://www.finegardening.com/article/conifers-for-shade

 

[triangler]

Any thoughts of thuja green giants or hollys under the trees? The trees will still get partial sunlight through day.

 

[Del_]

Any thoughts of thuja green giants or hollys under the trees? The trees will still get partial sunlight through day.

I think Hollies would be a good choice.

I find volunteer holly seedlings a lot. Some native, most not.

 

[Seachaser]

Not evergreen, but azaleas do really good under pines.
Watch the Masters. Holly is really slow growing. But so are most evergreens.

 

[triangler]

I think Hollies would be a good choice.

I find volunteer holly seedlings a lot. Some native, most not.

Not evergreen, but azaleas do really good under pines.
Watch the Masters. Holly is really slow growing. But so are most evergreens.

I thought Steven Nellie Holly is fast growing?

 

[pdqdl]

Yes, hollies love the shade. They are tough, beautiful, and grow deathly slow.

Our OP suggested that he wanted an evergreen tree. From looking at the pictures, I strongly suggest something besides any holly, 'cause I don't know of anything that grows fast to 10' tall in the shade.

Thuja Green Giant has a description that it needs 4 hours direct, unfiltered light per day.

His pictures look like they won't get any unfiltered light.

 

[triangler]

Do individuals ever clear out all those trees and plant a hedge of evergreens for privacy? Also, would have added benefit of being able to use the cleared land.

 

[ElevatorGuy]

Do individuals ever clear out all those trees and plant a hedge of evergreens for privacy? Also, would have added benefit of being able to use the cleared land.

That’s exactly what I would do.

 

[pdqdl]

Do individuals ever clear out all those trees and plant a hedge of evergreens for privacy? Also, would have added benefit of being able to use the cleared land.

To the original poster: I think there is a lot to be said for clearing out whatever trees are necessary for you to plant your row of evergreens. If you clear out a strip wide enough to plant your favorite species, it will also grow faster and be stronger if you have eliminated some of the competition in the root zone.

There is also a strong argument to be made for having a perimeter path that can be maintained by you, just so that your property doesn't get confused with abandoned lots that anyone can trespass on. A well maintained perimeter will do a lot for maintaining your privacy, and it looks better too. A strong variety of evergreen tree like hemlock might even compete well with the natural forest, given a good start.

I don't often differ with Raintree on many items, and I really do like hemlock trees. I've only seen one in my area, but it was healthy and growing well. 50 years from now, they will still be growing strong, presuming they make it the first 10 years.

 

[triangler]

Is there any harm of removing all those trees and grading the land? Also, would anyone estimate how much it would typically cost for clearing out this many trees? I have attached video below as well.

 

[pdqdl]

None whatsoever if that's what you would like to do.
It's your property, right?

What part of the world are you in? Locality plays a big role in pricing stuff.

 

[triangler]

I am in Raleigh, NC. For this many trees do they bring out equipment to clear it all out or is cutting down individual trees?

 

[pdqdl]

It depends on a lot of factors. I'd start calling some excavation and demolition contractors, and I'd call a few tree services that list "ground clearing".

There are specialist contractors that only do ground clearing on a large scale. They aren't terribly cheap, but they can sweep through an 80 acres site in short order, setting up the ground for development.

There are guys that run a small business that don't mind working for a month to clear a smaller plot of ground. I'd bet that an excavating and grading company would be your best bet if you intend to re-grade the ground when you are done. There isn't a tree service anywhere that can compete with a big excavator for effectiveness at removing normal trees. Those guys, however, aren't the guys to call if you are not planning on doing some grading following the removal of the trees.

I do a few jobs for such an excavating company. The only time they call me is when the roots of a large tree are getting into the utilities. Their excavator can rip out a large oak tree in 5 minutes (or less) and then tear it up into semi-truck size in about another 10. Loaded up and gone in another 10-15 minutes.

It would take my little tree service hours and hours to cut up and haul off. That might turn into days if the tree is big enough and includes more than flopping it on the ground.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Personally, I hate the look of hedges... never occurs in nature. It looks to me like you have enough depth to have some fun with this in 3 dimensions, and use multiple varieties of shade loving shrubs and trees to fill in the understory, and block off those sightlines.

 

[pdqdl]

Leather leaf viburnum make excellent screening plants, too, and blend nicely with other elements. Only semi-evergreen, they do prefer more sunlight, but aren't slow growing like the hollies and other evergreens.

 

[Automender]

I live in Ohio things are a little different here. My experience with my first plantings in full shade is that things grow at maybe a quarter of the normal rate of growth. So it will take a while to establish a privacy screen. The other issue is the dryness of the soils under established trees inside the drip zone. Yews will work but Canadian Hemlock usually like a moister soil.

 

[Del_]

My personal preference but I hate to see a wooded area cut down just to plant a hedge. My philosophy is to not cut down any tree that is not presenting a problem. Woods are beautiful low maintenance areas and if thick enough have the wonderful ability to kill grass.

Carolina cherry laurel might be a good option. I have a few that volunteered in our wooded and side yard. I though that they were wild cherry trees at first but they keep their leaves year round.

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/prunus-caroliniana/

 

[triangler]

The other benefit of clearing out the wooded area would be to expand backyard so kids can play there as my current back yard is small