Your Privacy Fence can be Natural, Wildlife-Friendly; Here are Some Tips from an Expert Forester

Consider a vegetative screen, also known as a natural privacy fence, if you're looking for a way to increase your level of privacy without installing and maintaining a fence.

Stan Rosenthal, an expert forester from the Natural Resources Planning Services, has a vegetative screen, which takes very little maintenance. According to Rosenthal, vegetative screens are less expensive and more convenient than building a fence, and birds and other wildlife appreciate the food and cover they provide.

In addition, its blooms during the spring add color to the surroundings. In an article published in the Tallahassee Democrat, the skilled forester offered his advice on building a natural privacy fence.

Drip Irrigation and Soil Prep

In addition to the plants, Rosenthal advises using soaker hoses or other drip irrigation systems to create the screen as well as mulch to help control weed growth and improve the soil. Plants grow more quickly in environments with enough water and less competition from other species.

When constructing a vegetative screen, speed is key.

Next, it's crucial to cut the grass extremely short where a privacy fence will be installed.

Choosing the location for each plant is the next step. Marking the designated spot is important. Rosenthal suggests setting up the irrigation system so that water will reach each new plant, then covering the irrigation hoses with mulch.

At this stage, the soil is ready for planting. In this manner, the mulch and irrigation systems are all set up before the plants are planted. These tasks are frequently completed after planting and occasionally never at all.

According to The Tree Center, it is also advised to incorporate some organic material into the soil when digging. Nearly any organic material is beneficial, but garden compost, well-rotted animal manures, any topsoil from a garden center, or peat moss are among the best. The area should be covered two to four inches deep with organic material.

Layering by Shrub Height

Rosenthal likes the idea of a two-layer vegetative screen. In the early years and as they get taller and end up losing their lower branches, he uses fast-growing pines as the primary screen. He also has shorter plants to cover the ground below. The recommended plants by Rosenthal change depending on the soil.

Sand pine trees should be spaced 15 to 25 feet apart in high, dry, sandy soil. Loblolly pines can be planted 15 to 25 feet apart on excellent soils in the Red Hills region. Rosenthal suggests wax myrtles and yaupon holly as the main plants for the shrub layer. In comparison to wax myrtle, yaupon holly grows better in direct sunlight and drier climates. Both bushes offer songbirds tasty fruit and shelter.

Evergreen plants including Eastern red cedar, Florida yew, Florida Torreya, cherry laurel, southern magnolia, American holly, and Florida anise are all good additions for wet areas to add variety. The cherry laurel does a fantastic job but spreads easily.

Rosenthal also mentioned in his Tallahassee Democrat article that despite not being an evergreen, the Chickasaw plum can be useful because, when grown in an open space, it creates a dense, impenetrable thicket.

A further spice or twist to the privacy screen could be added by planting flowering small trees along the green fence's outer edge, such as fringe trees, southern crab apples, or tree sparkleberries.

These actions are excellent starting points for a durable, low-maintenance green fence. Additional information on the best ways to establish plants can be found on the University of Florida website.