Evergreen Trees too close together

[deja]

About 10 years ago my neighbor planted two rows (staggered) of evergreens to act as a privacy barrier.

Now the trees are getting pretty big and he is concerned that they might choke each other out and die. He could remove one of the rows but the "insides" of the trees don't have any healthy growth since not much light gets in there.

Questions are:

- Is it possible that the trees could choke each other out or can they survive close to each other?

- If he does remove a row will the previously unexposed side of the tree generate new growth or will the just look nasty forever.

Thanks for the help.

[dr-solo]

as long as they have water they just inhibit the height. leave em alone. It is unlikely they will generate new growth and they WILL look nasty forever. Ingrid

[symplastless]

The self thinning rule of ecology will take hold. Yes some may die but they will be specifically targeted and when they die their mass will be recycled into the soil to increase the health of the group along the way. If you wanted to choose ones to cut a SHIGOMETER would help. Also the wood from the trees cut could be given soil contact and the brushy stuff could be made in brush piles for wildlife.

He could remove one of the rows

No, they are better in a group.

Depends on the species, environment and genetics. The trees will do better in groups. Not really a thing as too close together. have you ever seen a kissing tree?

When cutting trees in a group or tree farming there are some points to take into consideration:

A good source of tree information based on a thorough understanding of tree biology is here:

[sherwindu]

I think the immediate danger is that the trees will shade eachother, although if they are Hemlocks, this tree tolerates a partially shaded area.

Probably pruning is the best choice here. Depends on the variety. I have seen Arborvitae plantings as screens where they are right atop eachother, yet seem to be doing well.

Sherwin

[sherwindu]

Well, the door was left open to get in another plug for Mr. Keslick. If you

want to measure SHIGO's this may be the tool for you.

Sherwin

[Billy]

It's only the Christian thing to do;-)

[J. Clarke]

I think that one of symplastless' many problems is that he doesn't seem to be able to grasp the concept that your typical recreational gardener is dealing with a back yard, not Queensland Botanical Gardens. And in a back yard one doesn't have the luxury of letting a tree die and go its natural course--if one doesn't have it cut down by someone who knows what they are about then it's likely to fall on someone's house--one's own if one is lucky or that of one's agressive trial lawyer neighbor if one is not. And if it falls and misses the house then one doesn't have the luxury of letting its "mass be recycled into the soil" unless one converts it to mulch with a wood chipper--in most areas leaving a dead tree in your yard until it rots away is going to get you in trouble with someone--the neighbors, the town council, the homeowners' association, etc, not to mention what happens when the aforementioned lawyer's kids start scrambling around it and one of them manages to injure himself.

[Sheldon]

They will survive quite well, that's how conifers grow in a forest, they need only their upermost portion in the sun.... you can plant a privacy screen/windbreak or specimen plantings, you cannot have the same trees accomplish both.

Nasty forever.

[Don Staples]

They will survive quite well, that's how conifers grow in a forest, they need only their upermost portion in the sun.... you can plant a privacy screen/windbreak or specimen plantings, you cannot have the same trees accomplish both.

Nasty forever.

One thing never expressed by the original poster was species and location. Most evergreens (?) do not do well in close competition.

[Sheldon]

The OP said Evergreen "Trees", which means conifers. Conifers do very well growing compacted by their own kind, that's how they grow in their natural habitat. In fact most all evergreens, even shrubs, do very well growing compacted.... just because a portion is shaded and has little to no greenery doesn't mean the plant is unhealthy, aethetics has nothing to do with objectivity. You've obviously never walked through a conifer forest.

[Don Staples]

The OP said Evergreen "Trees", which means conifers. Conifers do very well growing compacted by their own kind, that's how they grow in their natural habitat. In fact most all evergreens, even shrubs, do very well growing compacted.... just because a portion is shaded and has little to no greenery doesn't mean the plant is unhealthy, aethetics has nothing to do with objectivity. You've obviously never walked through a conifer forest.

[symplastless]

Sure, but you must consider that a tourniquet around the neck will stop a nose bleed. No matter where you are, treatments out of the ignorance of tree biology adds up to problems for trees as well as tree so-called owner and associates. A SHIGOMETER is a very basic tool. Its just a ohm meter which is pulsed. However, where you go astray is that you must have a thorough understanding of tree anatomy to understand what the numbers mean. I have one and use it often. No big deal. Clients like the technology and understanding. Obviously you do not understand SHIGOMETRY and curse those that do. Sad and it hurts.

[symplastless]

Wow, and driving a car is safe? maybe somebody will get hurt, better get rid of cars. Also water is very dangerous while you are concerned about risk - it can cause serious burns and death. Better ban water. Before somebody drowns. Maybe get rid of pools? very silly to just give up on the ecological stages of tree because someone might get hurt. Give me one example of a case where someone was injured by a nurse log? I think the problem is that you do not understand trees yet claim to be an expert. I guess you really hate trees. I heard there would be people like you.

[Don Staples]

Off you meds again, I see.

[symplastless]

Don

Sorry for attacking you!