landscaping privacy

Stewie · 2008-02-12T16:04:48+00:00

Was wondering what others have done to put up privacybarriers between neighboring homes.I'm on a corner lot in a "typical" suburban sub division.The lot is about a 200' x 100' size. There is a house toone side, and one behind, kinda looks like this: [neighbor] | xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx(fence) |[neighbor]---------[my house]----------------[street] | | | [ street ](not to scale).My dilemma is, I'd like to put up some privacy barrierson the left & right sides in the above diagram (to thehome on the left above, and to the street). to make aprivate yard that would encompass the area on the left,to the rear, and part of the section to the right.I've gotten all kinds of 'suggestions' - but i thoughti would post to this group and collect some more beforei make a decision.Many of the suggestions involved planting trees or hedges.Additional fencing is a thought, but I would still need alot more trees to block out views of the neighbors (sincethe fence height is only 6').All the planting ideas involve waiting a LONG time forusable privacy (like YEARS).I'm in the northeastern USA.Does anyone have actual experience with some species oftree or hedge, that works in one season or less ? (or someother idea to achieve the privacy goal).I've interviewed professional landscaping *architects* (notlandscaping contractors), but i want to exhaust the DIYdesign route first before spending $$$ on retainers to havearchitects construct designs (like the folks you see onHGTV).Anyone here have any thoughts on privacy barriers ?