Vine-covered lattice will block view

By Audrey Post
MS. GROW-IT-ALL

Q: We bought a home on several acres with spectacular views just a few miles from Tallahassee a few years ago, and all was fine until a trailer home popped up on the adjacent property recently. Although it’s off in the distance, the situation has made us realize that we don’t have the privacy we thought we did. What kind of tree can we plant on our property now that will grow quickly and block the view of our neighbors?

A: That old saying “different strokes for different folks” certainly can apply when people talk about what constitutes a nice view. And it’s hard to know whether your neighbors finally got the money to buy their little piece of heaven or they lost a home in foreclosure and this is their fallback housing.

Whatever the situation, you can be a good neighbor by keeping the focus on what you have on your own property. But don’t think about planting trees right now; it’s the wrong time of year. The heat of summer increases the stress of transplanting, and more water would be required to get trees established.

I suggest you create a temporary barrier. A sheet of lattice attached to two four-by-fours, properly sited, will block the view of the neighbors and provide a framework for vines to grow up. Morning glories and sky vines are good options. So are some of the tropical vines that we treat as annuals. Bougainvillea, in particular, is a good candidate because it won’t need much water once it is established.

In the meantime, think about whether you want an evergreen tree or one that loses its leaves. Also, remember that trees planted in clumps are stronger than solo trees in the middle of a field. Consider planting several trees, but place them far enough part that each has room to grow to its full size.

And bear in mind that many trees that grow quickly lack the strength and strong root system to withstand strong winds. Plan your trees for the long haul. You can take down the lattice when your trees get large enough.

Speaking of trees: Ms. Grow-It-All’s Internet radio show on the Free World Radio Network will broadcast live at 6:30 p.m. tonight. I will be talking with guest host Stan Rosenthal, Leon County forester, about shade trees. Go to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Ms_Grow-It-All and click on the link to listen live; you can call the number on the site to join the conversation. If you can’t join us, all shows are archived and available for download from my Web site.