Discussions

I’m looking at trees that are faster growing that can be grouped for privacy. Anyone have suggestions?  
 
I’m also considering grouping trees with bushes.  
Any and all thoughts related to this post are welcome. The grouping is located in full sun.

Grow very quickly, but mostly up. You’d likely want 2 staggered rows for better privacy, if you have the room for it.

What type of width do you have room for? That is very important. Also, do you have any walks, driveways, foundations or water lines close by? You need to take these things into consideration when choosing trees as some root systems will interfere with these things. Height of mature trees could be a factor due to powerlines or bylaws if you are in the city.  
 
Giving us this information might help us give you a better idea of an appropriate type to plant.  
 
Poplars are fast growing, but keep in mind that their lifespan is short & they will also lose leaves. Privacy is gone in the winter.  
 
If you want them grouped, make sure they are spaced properly. If some are too closely planted, you can cause die off from congestion or disease.  
 
Do you have to have trees or are you happy with tall growing shrubs?

Be careful with poplars if you live in the city or remotely close to a neighbor.  
 
Turns out their roots spread out 2-3 times as tall as the tree is, I paid about $100 for the 10 poplars we planted and a few years later when they grew into my neighbors basement it cost me $3000 to have them cut down.

I was thinking of poplars too but wanted some feedback thanks.  
 
I have up to 20 x 15 feet of open space along my fence where I want to put trees and/or bushes. The spot is elevated so stays dry. No standing water.

There are no wires or foundations or pipe work in this area. Only a fence that runs 80 feet.

watch the root system on poplars you will be sorry (the tower poplars are pretty and fast growing and tall and slim (look very nice) but the root system will wish you hadn't planted them in the first place. Stay clear of the cottomwood tree as well. Maybe a maple (depends on the space you are talking about like the others said). Otherwise not sure

Pillar birches?  
I’ve been staying away from white cedars as I see so many around town that have damage or winter kill. I don’t want to be wrapping the tree every fall to avoid that.  
I’ve looked at maples but they have a lot of seeds don’t they?  
 
So I’m not done looking yet. Was hoping someone could share positive experiences.  
 
Thanks for the comments on the poplar. I will avoid them.

down on Veterans Way on low road to Shilo.  
I'd take a photo of the fence that you wish to have the plants along and ask for their advice. They will know the problems with various trees and have a good variety of species in various sizes.  
They have a website but it is really slow to load and not overly appealing but the plants are good.  
http://evergreenvalley.ca/

I’m looking to set up a combination of evergreen and deciduous trees/bushes

I'd forgotten the name of the ones we planted, but your post jogged my memory, they were the towering poplers you mention.  
 
They grew extremely fast once I stopped watering them with city water and created a rain water collection system.  
 
They made for a beautiful privacy and shade wall, but shed a boatload of leaves every year and once they were cut down and the stumps shredded the roots were a bloody nightmare of little suckers popping up everywhere in my yard for about 2 years.  
 
Roundup barely browned the shoots, i ended up digging up every spot they poked thru and removed the roots, my yard is still a maze of shallow grooves.  
 
I ripped out roots that were barely the thickness of a shoestring and had a solid 12" of shoots coming off them popping up everywhere, definitely google poplar sucker roots before planting them.

I would like to suggest going to all of the nurseries to ask what they have available that fit your criteria. Ask each about issues with certain fast growing trees (most fast growers are poplars, maples...which can be messy & willows). Elm are also messy. As for shrubs, caragana is a weedy bush, lilacs grow relatively quickly & high (but can sucker depending on variety).  
 
I found a site that confirms the fast growing tree types: https://treetime.ca/fast-growing-trees-for-manitoba.php  
 
Here is an article on growth rate of trees: https://homes.winnipegfreepress.com/winnipeg-real-estate-articles/renovation-design/Understanding-the-growth-rate-of-trees/id-4756  
 
Edited by Flutterby, 2020-05-29 08:27:11

Beautiful in the spring and the bushes can grow as big as you let them.

I do have some thinking to do for sure.

It’s not picky about soil conditions. Poplars sucker and are invasive and this doesn’t. Perfect for this climate. Fast growing. It’s an absolutely gorgeous tree!  
 
https://www.bylands.com/plant/silver-cloud-maple-acer-saccharinum-silver-cloud

I would plant a basswood, check with the City Park Board. You can see them on Basswood Bay.