Tree Experts on here?

[Roofer1]

Am in the process of building a cabin and researching spruce (type) trees for some privacy. Looking for something that'll grow fairly quickly and winds up being 30' to 40' tall and 15' to 20' wide. Am not much of the gardener type so would like it to be pretty hardy. My first thought was blackhill spruce. Can source them fairly locally and for a decent price. They'd come balled/burlap and anywhere from 6' to 8' depending on what I want to spend. Looking for some input from someone that knows better than I do. Thanks.

 

[PredatoronthePrairie]

100% depends on your soil.

Want for wind screen or more ambienace?

Black hills, nice trees, can go over 80ft, but don't have deep root profiles so can tip on shallow soils. Potentially right on your new cabin. Granted that would be 60years from now.

White and red pine are fast growers, but loose their bottom branches and wind screen potential.

Meyers spruce have better shade tolerance/ stay around 40-50ft. Have beautiful appearance. But are slower growing.

Everything has trade offs.

Edit: Be carefull with burlapped trees. They require alot of root pruning due to circle bound roots. Especially in 6-8ft.

I always recommend planting smaller trees if you have the time. Allows the tree a better opportunity to anchor into the soil.

 

[Plainsman79]

Disclaimer-I’m not a professional, but have been down this route.

If possible look into your local or county conservation district/department. At a minimum they should be able to tell you which trees should do well in your soil type. Some even offer programs for planting. If that’s not an option, drive around and see what other folks have had success with. Take a picture of the tree and then use the plant identification feature on your phone.

If you’re in a high wind area, layer your shelter belt. Shrubs, cedars and then pines.

Ground prep and watering system is going to be crucial to your success. I’ll second planting smaller trees, even seedlings. Start them young.

 

[Roofer1]

Not super worried about the wind, more for not looking at neighbors. Not an expert but it's probably pretty good soil because of where it's in relation to the Mississippi. They be placed on the property line right next to and ag field so would be full sun and would be exposed to winds, but are down the property line from the cabin so no worries about them falling on it. Part of my thoughts were based on my incredible lack of patience. Am 48, with high miles , so I'm not sure I'll have the time to wait for something slow growing. Also wanted to put something in that'll hopefully be big enough to know get rubbed to hell from the white tails.

 

[Roofer1]

for reference. House/view I'm blocking is low right. The topography helps hide the view south of the cabin. The 6 green circles would be where I'm thinking. Circles are about 16' wide.

 

[longrangelead]

you could consider two types. Cottonwood/poplar grows really fast the first 10 or so years. A conifer like spruce would need 5-10 years to get established and really start growing.
once the conifers are big enough, cut the poplars down.

 

[doc holiday13]

Arborvitae Green Giant. Fast growing trees and great for privacy. They put on 3-5ft a year. I can barely see my neighbors house now that he put in some 3' arborvitaes 1.5 years ago. Not sure if their growing region extends into wisconsin though

 

[Plainsman79]

If you’re looking for fast results you could probably do a Giant Miscanthus grass. While your trees grow to size. Whitetail hunters use it for multiple different purposes.

 

[Roofer1]

If you’re looking for fast results you could probably do a Giant Miscanthus grass. While your trees grow to size. Whitetail hunters use it for multiple different purposes.

Thought about this, or a few rows of corn. I need to get over there and see where the electric line was buried, may not have enough room for multiple layers if they didn't bury it where i told them to.

 

[pacoalcracker]

What would work really well are Canadian Hemlock. Grows fairly quick, great vision barrier and great at cutting wind. Also, great cover for wildlife. That species of tree meets all of your requirements.

 

[journeyman713]

A cabin in Wisconsin sure sounds like - DEER.
Don't overlook the fact that deer will eat every branch they can reach, in many trees. Most arborvitae are certainly on the menu for them. It's not a problem most of the year, but when a little snow covers the ground, and your trees are the easiest green thing they find, they will devour it, quickly. A young deers sense of hunger, outweighs it's sense of fear, and they all will follow. I've opened the widow, shouting and flailing my arms at deer unfazed, while eating my expensive trees just an arms reach from the house.

The question you need to ask is... Is it deer resistant?