My new-ish house is in Indiana subdivision. Nice patio and some small trees, but I really want a couple shade trees more to block view of neighbors swingset and vinyl clad houses. I think maple of some sort would have the best shape from my research so far. I ideally want 6 ft of trunk (to get over my 6ft fence) and then a 25 ft wide crown on top to improve the view from patio.

I like making diagrams, hopefully attached This picture from google map is several years old.

Existing trees.....
#1 decent size 20ft tall maple
#2 mini-willow 8ft of some sort, looks nice but no help with shade or the view
#3 small/sparse 10ft
#4 small/sparse 8ft
#5 neighbor's large willow is grown to fence now

I want to, but can't decide if/what I should plant at location T1 and T2. Long term probably not a great idea as they will be into my existing trees #1 #2 #3. In the short term, they probably are not going to offer the privacy block that I want for 5-10 years(???).

Big box stores have fair selection of $50-90 trees to choose from right now (I need to act fast!). Some quite tall (15ft+) but skinny Norway maple I think. Also smaller 8 ft Autumn Blaze maples and bunch of other varieties in between.

I was in same situation last year and didn't buy anything. If I wait again trees will be more expensive (stores don't carry much after spring), so would have to go to nursery) and I'll be losing time.

So, any advice greatly appreciated!

Kevin

 

What is the size of the area fenced in?

 

Its about 65x48 feet fenced in

 

First, it's your yard so do what you want.

Your yard is a going to be full of trees if you plant two more especially if they are large varieties. You should be OK for 5-10 years but will eventually have to remove some trees. The question is do you do it now while the trees are small and easy/cheap to get rid of or wait 10 years when they will need a professional service and might cost thousands.

 

Ya, #2 can go now, its nice tree just not big enough for what I want there. #3 could go too, it hasn't really filled in yet so might keep it for now until new tree gets going.

 

How about 6-8 Photinia......they like sun, grow fast, both height and width. Get some 5 gallon.

 

Another thought when buying trees/shrubs in containers: See if you can lift the item out of the can....just a bit, without damaging the item. Check for roots. Also, are they coming out the bottom in the drain holes ?

I have bought 5 gallon shrubs without checking....and found they were 2 gallon or so, just transplanted into 5 gallon pots. So I paid double for a 2 gallon shrub.....