Trees for a border - where?

[lightspeed]

I'm planning a privacy border this spring. Trees needed about 10-25 feet tall. Some mature, and some can grow in to full height over time. Various types and shapes of coniferous trees and larger bushes.

Should I try a small landscaper for this spring project, to supply and install? I've got drawings and measurements to get things going.

Or is there a place around the Okanagan where I can view and have them delivered? Feel like I need something more "specialist" than the local nursery.

Unsure where to even start with this. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Queen K]

Also do you have any idea of the soil type you have? Do you want a varied look in conifer colour and shape? Blue Spruce are my fav, wish had room for one.

Have you scoped out what is in other peeps yards and properties? Might prove interesting to see if you can talk to them to find out the upside and downside.

For example, if someone can and asked about my Silver Maples I'd warn them about the seeds dropping everywhere. I'd also show them the HUGE root take out of the ground that was from a Chinese Elm tree and warn them against anyone advising that these are good trees. Horse Chesanut? Are you Crazy? That sort of thing.

Do you have a good tree reference book? Might be good Winter reading, library should have them.

[lightspeed]

Also do you have any idea of the soil type you have? Do you want a varied look in conifer colour and shape? Blue Spruce are my fav, wish had room for one.

Have you scoped out what is in other peeps yards and properties? Might prove interesting to see if you can talk to them to find out the upside and downside.

For example, if someone can and asked about my Silver Maples I'd warn them about the seeds dropping everywhere. I'd also show them the HUGE root take out of the ground that was from a Chinese Elm tree and warn them against anyone advising that these are good trees. Horse Chesanut? Are you Crazy? That sort of thing.

Do you have a good tree reference book? Might be good Winter reading, library should have them.

Good intel, thank you. Nothing like elm or maple.

Plenty of space for blue spruce and yes they are what we like. A bunch more similar/different that will compliment. Variety will be good, in shape and colour. Plenty of various fir trees and spruce around here so I think it's suitable. I'm going to test the "soil" but it's mostly alluvial on a slope with a light clay/sandy feel. Well drained in general but with some heavier clay spots. Pretty mixed and unpredictable. West facing. Seems like they grow slowly here so I don't mind having to spend more to bring in mature trees. We have a weeping pine and a blue fur and both are healthy but slow growing. They just get the odd bit of water thru summer. No irrigation in this spot but it can be retrofitted in future if needed in future. I don't mind hand watering for a while. It's pretty accessible.

After this phase is done, I have another section that's a bit more difficult. Can't have too much root growth as it will grow next to a driveway. This can be a bit more decorative (not so dense) and not as tall. Would be a really good spot for some superb "ornamental" specimens to show.

Guess I'm going to have to plow through a bunch of reading. A good thing to do over winter.

Biggest challenge is to find a place that sells mature trees of a decent size.

[Lady tehMa]

The Neighbourwoods program has some good information. They limit their tree sales to one per household (will be starting up in March again) but their site has some basic tree info for you.

https://www.kelowna.ca/parks-recreation/urban-forestry/kelowna-tree-guide

[Queen K]

This is just me, but if I had room for a hedge of trees, I'd be researching nut trees. Nuts are good sources of all kinds of protiens and vitamins. Not to mention income if you just choose to selll them. Price out the cost of buying nuts of any type lately? Big money by the pound.

I have two Smoke Trees in the back, they give nothing. No shade, berries, nuts or bird perches. I've never seen a bird in either one of them. They are pretty in leaf colour and that's it. I resent their very presence as time goes by. Don't get trees that give nothing to anything, that's all I'd advise.

[Bpeep]

If you want a privacy hedge, it's hard to beat arborvitae, unless you have deer wandering thru your property.
Deer love them.

[lightspeed]

If you want a privacy hedge, it's hard to beat arborvitae, unless you have deer wandering thru your property.
Deer love them.

Good point -yes many deer and we're not looking to deter them.

Any other suggestions for coniferous borders that are not deer attractants? I don't want to have to wrap any trees before winter. All the species around here on garden edges and borders, where they're accessible to deer, have remained free of deer munching.

Really don't want to have leaves dropping for cleanup.

[Queen K]

Conifers drop too, lots of cones and needles, research that carefully. I know my neighbours are driven nuts by sweeping up both.

[lightspeed]

Conifers drop too, lots of cones and needles, research that carefully. I know my neighbours are driven nuts by sweeping up both.

All good, it's on an unkempt low maintenance border, adjacent to driveway so a quick 2 minute cleanup with a leaf blower and it's all taken care of every week or two. Rake up every spring/fall to take care of the bigger stuff. I can handle a bit more, for the benefits.

[lightspeed]

The Neighbourwoods program has some good information. They limit their tree sales to one per household (will be starting up in March again) but their site has some basic tree info for you.

https://www.kelowna.ca/parks-recreation/urban-forestry/kelowna-tree-guide

Thanks, that was a good start.

Googled a bunch of coniferous trees that we like, and that will grow in the region. Then cross checked against deer resistance.

Now we need to cross check against soil type. Should be able to come up with a short list pretty easily.