Native Plants
![](../_images/smarty_plants.gif)
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
![](../_images/mr_smarty_plants_logo_web_200w.jpg)
rate this answer
![](../_images/star_00.gif)
Thursday - April 16, 2009
From: Dublin, VA
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Trees
Title: Trees for privacy shield in Dublin, Virginia
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
What are the best trees to plant for privacy in a small yard?ANSWER:
Here are some small trees (40 feet tall or less) that are good candidates for your yard:Acer pensylvanicum (striped maple) 20-40 feet, more photos from University of Connecticut
Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny serviceberry) 15-25 feet tall provides food for birds and small mammals
Asimina triloba (pawpaw) 10-40 feet tall
Cercis canadensis (eastern redbud) 15-20 feet tall with beautiful pink flowers in the spring
Cornus florida (flowering dogwood) 20-40 feet with showy white flowers in the spring
Crataegus marshallii (parsley hawthorn) to 25 feet with ornamental foliage
Hamamelis virginiana (American witchhazel) 10-35 feet tall
Magnolia virginiana (sweetbay) 12-20 feet tall is a slender tree or shrub and semi-evergreen with large, fragrant, showy flowers
Prunus virginiana (chokecherry) 20-30 feet tall
Ptelea trifoliata (common hoptree)10 to 15 feet tall
Sorbus americana (American mountain ash) 15-20 feet tall and ornamental
Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw) to 18 feet tall
You can find more possibilities by going to our Recommended Species page and choose Virginia from the map or the pulldown menu and then use the NARROW YOUR SEARCH option to select "Tree" from the Habit (general appearance) option.
More Trees Questions
Evergreen shrub for hedge in pasture in California
August 15, 2012 - I am looking at putting in a hedge along a pasture between my neighbor and me. I was considering a podacarpus plant about every 4' for 100'. is this a fast growing, full thickness, tall evergreen bu...
view the full question and answer
Decorative small evergreen tree for Las Vegas NV
January 06, 2013 - I need a small decorative tree to be planted among a pine tree background; would prefer evergreen.
view the full question and answer
Is it normal for the bark to fall off an oak tree in Austin, TX
May 02, 2013 - Is it normal for live oak bark to fall off when touched? I am afraid to get near them?
view the full question and answer
Fast-growing tree for horse arena in Southern California
July 06, 2011 - I live in Trabuco Canyon, CA, and we just lost an old Sycamore in our horse arena. I would like to replace it with some thing that is fast growing, and will be able to withstand life around horses, o...
view the full question and answer
Evergreen hedge for NY
February 26, 2012 - I am looking for a native evergreen shrub that could be used as a hedge or privacy screen on the Rockaway peninsula in Queens county. It is a beach community with sand soil ( except where it has been...
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |