The Dirt Gardener's Column for March 13

Q. I’ve purchased a two story new house and I’m trying to plant some tall trees along the fence line for privacy and as a noise barrier. My bedroom window face my neighbors kitchen window and their kitchen and family room side is on the family room side. I’d like a persimmon or a Ficus Benjamina. What do you think?

A. There is no simple solution to this problem. You’ll need to be concerned about a number of different issues and their implications when planting trees along a fence line. First off, there are no short fast growing trees only tall ones with an umbrella like canopy. I have yet to find a species that recognize and honor a property line. The intruding limbs in to a neighbor’s yard and or falling debris besides the tree roots, are a sure fire cause for a neighbor dispute. Deciduous trees drop their leaves in the fall while an evergreen tree produces litter, depending on the species year round. Neighbor problems are often very heated, personal and expensive to resolve. You may wish to involve your neighbor from the beginning in the selection process so they are part of the solution. You can completely avoid these issues by planting your trees off the fence line. This keeps them contained to your yard. The planting distance will vary depending on the tree. You should divide the tree’s spread in half as they grow equally on both sides of the trunk. Persimmon and Ficus are very nice trees but are poor choices for your situation. Persimmons are slow growing with a wide, spreading canopy. The maturing fruits are magnet for squirrels, raccoons and other animals not to mention the mess on the ground. Ficus are not recommended for planting outdoors as they’re damaged and or killed with the winter cold. A good option is planting large growing shrubs that are sheared on both sides of the property line. You keep the width and height under control without destroying the plant. I’d consider planting Photinia fraseri, Prunus caroliniana or Pittosporum nigricans or eugenioides. These shrubs will grow fifteen to twenty feet high and are ideal for privacy and noise barriers.

Q. Last year I bought three large Liquidambars. They look healthy but they have lost them. Can you please suggest a spring program to make sure they have and keep abundant leaves?

A. Liquidambar is not an evergreen tree so it is natural for it to lose leaves in the fall. Since the foliage was sparse and there was no dieback of limbs or twigs, I recommend increasing the watering during the summer months and fertilizer with 16-16-16. In early March, I’d apply one half pound of fertilizer per inch diameter of the trunk measured two feet off the ground and scatter the fertilizer granules around the drip line, and do not pile the fertilizer at the trunk. After the rainy season concludes, I’d construct water six-inch high watering basin around each tree. They should extend from the trunk to beyond drip line. The basins should be filled to brim several times each time you water. \

by Buzz Bertolero, CCNP