Native Plants
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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
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Tuesday - April 01, 2008
From: Whitehouse Stationq, NJ
Region: Northeast
Topic: Privacy Screening
Title: Native trees for privacy screen in New Jersey
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
Looking for a tree (preferably an evergreen) for a privacy hedge in Whitehouse Station, NJ. Would like a very fast growing tree that is deer resistant. Also the privacy hedge will be planted along a septic field so I think it needs to be an upland tree.ANSWER:
We don't know what an "upland" tree would be, but selected trees native to North America recommended for New Jersey that are evergreen and can tolerate a moist soil. Some are obviously more desirable than others, and some are attractive to deer, so we'll tell you what we found out and let you make your own decision. You can probably get some better information closer to home by contacting the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. When you go to that website, you can click on Hunterdon County and get contact information, phone numbers, etc. They may have literature on the type trees that would do better for your purposes, and can advise you on soil and culture.
Pinus resinosa (red pine) - If preferred food is lacking, white-tailed deer, snowshoe hares and cottontails will browse seedlings. Moose show moderate preference for Red Pine browse when other browse is dormant. Do you have moose in New Jersey? Images of Pinus resinosa.
Pinus strobus (eastern white pine) - Number of mammals, including deer, browse seedlings and twigs, eat bark, etc.
Thuja occidentalis (arborvitae) - Deer find the soft evergreen foliage a very attractive winter food and strip it readily. Images of Thuja occidentalis.
Pinus virginiana (Virginia pine) - No mention found of being attractive to deer. Images of Pinus virginiana
Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) - Pollen is a known allergen, and it is not tolerant of ice coatings.
More Privacy Screening Questions
Shade tolerant evergreens for privacy shield in Louisville KY
March 10, 2014 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
Our property is adjacent to the highway for ~ 200ft. I'm looking for partial-to-full shade tolerant evergreens that will grow to be relatively tall. Our soil is clay and g...
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Screening plants for edge of pond in Illinois
December 16, 2008 - I have a backyard pond that I am restoring, adding aeration, plants, etc. Unfortunately, there is a farmer that stores old equipment on the shore of my pond and refuses to move it. It is an eyesore....
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Evergreens for privacy in VA
June 24, 2012 - I need fast growing evergreens or large shrubs, flowering or non-flowering, for privacy. They will need to flourish among large oak and hickory trees that are 75 plus years old. We don't want to dama...
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Care of non-native Buddha Belly bamboos
November 08, 2014 - I have several budha belly bamboos. They froze down last winter. I have got them back to 5 ft. I need them around 8-10 for privacy.
Any suggestions? Also how to I protect them this winter?
view the full question and answer
Decorative Trees for Scenic Bench in Fairhope IL
June 10, 2012 - I am looking for a recommendation for a pair of small trees (does not grow taller than 18-20 feet) that can provide shade on either side of a stone bench. The site is in full sun, western exposure an...
view the full question and answer
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