How far from fence should I plant?
It may be best to give two to four feet of space between your plants and your neighbors fence, since you could be blamed for any potential damage to the fence.
The recommended distance is 10-20 feet, but if it is a particularly large tree, it may be wise to set it further back, 20+ feet, to prevent future problems with roots or branches.
Along with choosing a type of tree that is appropriate for growing next to a fence, you'll also need to make sure your environment can support a tree. The soil next to your fence needs to be well-drained to avoid rot and root fungus, and the area should get plenty of sun so the tree can grow well.
Shelby recommends keeping large plants, such as roses, holly bushes, and pampas grass away from wooden fences. 'Give yourself more room than you think you'll need between the fence and the plants,' she advises. This is because you need to be able to access your fence from time to time.
So, if a tree sits on a property line, it's considered common property and you are both owners. For this reason, you cannot legally plant a tree on the property line without permission from your neighbor. It's best to plant trees 3 – 4 feet from all property lines to leave room for future growth.
If you want to plant a new tree, find a spot that's as far away from the wall as the plant will be once it's fully grown. So, if your new tree will reach 15 feet tall, choose a planting spot at least 15 feet away.
Although fences and brick walls can do the trick, adding an extra divider, screen or plant barrier can block your neighbor's two-story view for good. To create your secret retreat, freestanding privacy screens, wood slat partitions and partially enclosed pergolas are effective (and nice to look at).
Popular choices for evergreen privacy screens include dwarf cypress trees, arborvitae, holly, lilac, and some varieties of juniper. You could also mix things up by planting crabapple with redbud, dogwood, juniper, or holly alongside each other to create a living fence with enough plant diversity to truly thrive.
Choose slow-growing, compact shrubs to grow along fences as their roots won't impact the foundations of your fence and require little maintenance.
Provided there are no Boundary Disputes, and if both parties agree to the hedge, you will usually both be responsible for the maintenance of the hedge on your own sides. You can cut the hedge right back to your neighbour's boundary, although there are some exceptions to this. (See 'Restrictions' below).
How do you landscape next to a fence?
Space your shrubs and plants slightly away from it. A curving bed of plants rather than a straight line softens the straight lines of the fence. For great visual appeal, layer the flower beds and plants along your fence. Arrange short plants in the front, medium-sized in the middle, and the tallest ones in the back.
Effective Barriers With Gravel Boards
There are options when it comes to sheltering your wooden fence from the soil: you can install gravel boards along the bottom, set your wooden posts in concrete, or use concrete posts from the outset.
Semi-dwarf trees grow to between 12 and 15 feet tall and wide, so give them 15 feet of space between each tree. Dwarf apple trees generally grow to between eight and 10 feet tall with a similar spread. They're happy to have about 10 feet separating them from surrounding apples, buildings, and fences.
The exact amount a building needs to be set back from the property line will vary from one location to another. However, the required setback on the side is typically between 5 – 10 feet, while the front and back require around 10 – 20 feet at a minimum.
Most trees growing near buildings cause no damage. But in some cases, subsidence and structural damage can be linked to tree roots. Blocked drains and lifted paving may also be a problem.
1. Silver maple tree. Silver maple trees have incredibly shallow, fast-growing roots. They might be prized for their vibrant colour in autumn, but their root systems are one of the most invasive of all.
If you notice your stalker, try to get away from them and into a public area or into your or a friendly neighbour's home. If the harassment carries on, your only option is to Contact The Local Police.
If you're not careful, almost anyone can see your internet activity. Wi-Fi admins can see your activity through router logs, while websites, apps, ISPs, search engines, and advertisers all have means of tracking what you do online. Your devices and browsers keep records of what you do on them too.
In addition to shrubs and ornamental grasses, a popular plant choice in landscaping property lines is trees. Not only can trees offer privacy, but they can also form windbreaks. If you live in a windy area, planting a windbreak on your boundary may be eminently practical.
- White ash (Zones 2-9): A fast-growing shade tree with invasive, lateral roots that's also susceptible to emerald ash borer!
- Poplar (Zones 3-8): A tall tree with aggressive roots known for causing sewer and foundational damage.
What kind of trees are good as fence posts?
Very few tree species make naturally durable fence posts. Osage-orange, mulberry, black locust, cypress, and some species of cedar are known for the good service they give.
Arborvitae 'Green Giant'
The thick growth offers the best privacy and it can also act as the the perfect backdrop for other flowering varieties of shrubs. It can grow up to 6-10ft (2-3m) so especially useful for providing a screen from neighboring properties.
E.g.: Small shrubs should be planted at least 2 feet from a house foundation, medium shrubs about 3 feet, and tall shrubs 4 to 5 feet away. An 8-foot shrub should be spaced about 7 feet away from a 6-foot shrub. Spacing plants in hedges is another matter.
Camellia, laurel and hawthorn are all good privacy hedges. These fast-growing hedges are all evergreen and reach a good height. Evergreen shrubs and evergreen trees for gardens make for the best hedges for privacy as you don't want your privacy to be compromised when the leaves fall off in fall.
If limbs or branches from your neighbor's trees extend into your property line, you are legally allowed to trim the areas hanging over your property. When trimming them, however, you must stay on your own property.
Foundation shrubs should not grow taller than the eaves either, because they may damage the gutters, or the foliage may fall inside, causing issues with drainage. For these reasons, choose shrubs with a shorter mature height than your home's eaves.
If a hedge is old and seriously overgrown, you'll need to do some rejuvenation pruning using the three-year rule. Remove up to one-third of the thickest stems down at the base of the plant, stimulating new growth; repeat the next year, and the year after.
If you plan on having a flower bed, fresh sod, or other more delicate plants around your fence, you will want to install your fence first. This is because the contractors installing the fence could damage your landscaping while putting up the fence. You don't want all of your hard work to be destroyed.
Having dirt touching the fence will increase the chance that the bottoms of your rails/pickets will rot. This doesn't necessarily mean your whole fence will rot; only the parts exposed to heavy moisture are at risk.
- Grow climbers up your fence.
- Paint your fence.
- Plant a hedge in front of your fence.
- Add hanging planters to your fence.
- Plant a border.
Should fence be flush with ground?
In most applications, a wood fence should be installed at least two inches off the ground. Your posts and rot boards (if you choose to install them) should be the only fence components that contact the ground. Wood pickets should never touch it.
Dirt is a natural absorbent and will become the posts best hope. All concrete does is trap the residual moisture that was soaked up and creates a breeding ground for fungal decay which creates living organisms called rot. Rot is a hungry/hangry living organism.
DO Employ a Base Gravel Layer. If a fence post fails without any sign of a pest infestation, it's likely that the failure was caused by moisture that rotted the wood over time. To help slow such deterioration, add pea gravel or crushed stone to the bottom of the posthole.
Wisteria sinensis, also known as Chinese wisteria, is a deciduous perennial plant which grows very quickly. Such is the speed and spread of its growth sinensis could be classed as invasive.
With growth rates from 3 to 5 feet per year the fastest growing privacy hedges are Thuja Green Giant, Leyland Cypress, Cryptomeria Radicans, and Wax Myrtle. Carolina Sapphire Cypress, Nellie Stevens Holly, Oakland Holly, and Wavy Leaf Ligustrum offer fast privacy with 2 to 3 feet of upward growth per year.
The number one fastest growing plant for privacy is Bamboo, particularly clumping bamboo. It quickly creates lush and exotic privacy screen. For best growth, bamboo requires full exposure to sun and regular water. It is not well suited for dry environment due to its heavy water needs.
English laurel (or Cherry Laurel) can make an enormous fast-growing hedge. Under the right conditions, it can grow up to 3 feet per year! It does very well in heat. It has glossy evergreen foliage and makes a very attractive large hedge with regular pruning 1-2 times per year.
The Short Answer
In most parts of the country, spring is the best time to plant apple trees. The exact month will depend on where you live, but March and April are ideal for most growers. If you live in a warmer climate (USDA zones seven and warmer), it's also possible to start planting in the fall.
- Apple trees and grass are not exactly good companion plants.
- CHIVES. Well let's just assume that the variety of apples you wanted is more susceptible to apple scab; chives can take care of that. ...
- DAFFODIL. These also get planted in a ring around the tree. ...
- CURRANTS. ...
- STRAWBERRY. ...
- LEMON BALM. ...
- PEA VINES & BEANS. ...
- DANDELION.
Dwarf: 8 to 10 feet. Semi-Dwarf: 12 to 15 feet. Standard: 18 to 20 feet.
How close to property line can I build a fence?
How Close To The Property Line Can I Build? Fences are typically built between 2 and 8 inches from the line between properties. Some areas will allow the building of fences directly on the property line, but in this case, you'll have to cooperate with your neighbor and potentially share the cost of the fence.
Typically, the setback of a property is 10 feet at the front, 10 feet at the back, and four feet on each side.
In many municipalities and neighborhoods, you're able to build up to any rear or side setback. And in some rare cases, you can even build into the setbacks. But if it's still unclear, make sure to check with your zoning department to be 100% certain.
Under Florida law, a neighbor may trim the branches of a neighbor's tree if the branches extend past the property line. The branches may only be cut back to the owner's property line and if it cannot threaten the health of the tree.
For Small Trees – Trees reaching 30 feet tall or less should be planted at least 10 feet from the home and other structures. For Medium-Sized Trees – A medium-sized tree is one that reaches a maximum height of 70 feet. These trees should never be planted closer than 15 feet to a fixed structure or home.
Semi-dwarf trees grow to between 12 and 15 feet tall and wide, so give them 15 feet of space between each tree. Dwarf apple trees generally grow to between eight and 10 feet tall with a similar spread. They're happy to have about 10 feet separating them from surrounding apples, buildings, and fences.
To get the most useful shade on the house at a practical distance, place the tree 15 to 20 feet from the house. Small trees may be planted closer than 15 feet, but large trees should be planted 20 feet or more away from the house.
If the branches or roots are dead, or a dead tree falls onto the adjoining landowner's property, then the landowner of the property where the tree was originally located may be responsible. If a live tree falls onto the adjoining landowner's property, then the adjoining landowner is responsible for any damages.
Fence and Property Line Laws in Florida: Overview
Under Florida law, adjoining landowners are under no legal obligation to erect fences dividing their land. If one landowner does decide to build a boundary fence, the adjoining landowner is not obligated to share in this expense unless it was agreed to in advance.
All horizontal members of the fence must be spaced at least 45-inches apart or located on the fence's interior side. Gaps between horizontal and vertical members may not exceed 1.75-inches. Cannot be located close enough to a permanent structure (e.g. shed) that would allow someone to climb over the fence.
How many trees does it take to build a 2000 square foot house?
| Square Foot of the Home | Type of Home | How Many Trees It Takes to Build (Estimates) |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | Single Structure | 30-50 Trees |
| 1500 | Single Structure | 30-75 Trees |
| 2000 | Single Structure | 60-102 Trees |
| 2500 | Single Structure | 80-130 Trees |
Roots do not grow as deep as a tree is tall. The vast majority of tree roots stay within the top 50 cm of soil and extend outward two to three times the width of the canopy.
The easiest place to grow an espalier apple tree is against a wall or fence. We recommend that this is at least 180cm tall and wide. Choose a sheltered spot where your tree will get at least 6 hours of sunlight daily in spring and summer.
New research published by the International Society of Arboriculture supports that advice by showing that big trees aren't better for planting. Because small trees experience less root loss when transplanted, they establish themselves more quickly, usually overtaking their larger counterparts after just a few years.
Answer: Tree roots can damage a house foundation, with an invitation to do so. Tree roots are very opportunistic and will only grow and penetrate where it is easiest to grow such as friable soils and mulch.
