12' Tree or Shrub for Screening a Neighbour's House

[peterkent]

My neighbour's house is set back a lot further than mine, so when sitting on my rear patio, two-thirds of his house's side wall is visible. So I want an "instant" tree or shrub to partially screen it!

Ideal height would be about 12' with a spread of about 8-10', and an umbrella or fan shape to spread sideways to screen the wall. Can be deciduous or non-deciduous. Really want something quick-growing.

The tree or shrub would only be 9' from the corner of my house so naturally I'm concerned about planting a tree as I fear roots will undermine the house - unless it is a compact root. Firs have compact roots but they won’t provide enough screening.

My only thought was a buddleia as they are quick-growing and I can cut it to shape. Anyone got any ideas fro tree or shrub?

[dorothydot]

There are quite a number of plants available. Depends on where you are... I'm in Southern Maryland, and here's what I would consider: Pine - white pine grows fairly quickly once established; Spruce - gives a nice form with a graceful spread [especially Norway Spruce]; Holly - the prickly leaves are good to discourage trespassers and the tree is quite resilient; umm, for shrubs, you can't usually go wrong with forsythia - grows fast and can be as high as 6' with pretty yellow flowers early in spring and lovely dark-green foliage later that birds like to nest in; spirea would work; burning-bush... is this enough for starts?

Dot

[Coneflower]

I'm not sure where you are located. Arborvitae planted in a close row will grow quickly and quite tall as a natural screen.

[Grey]

Lots of people around here use Leland Cypress. In the Organics section I've been asking about bamboo as fencing (live bamboo).