Hi Cathy,

I'm sorry, I just re-read my post before reading the replies, and I
noticed I left that detail out. I'm in Central Texas, just south of
Austin. We have lots of clay and limestone in my area, so no larger
trees. The biggest tree in my yard is a 20 or so year old sycamore
tree, but the previous owner said it's about reached its livespan, so
I want to get other trees going in the yard so when/if it dies, I have
others to fall back on for shade and to block the wind.

One item I also left out was I want to get bigger trees/shrubs around
the yard for privacy. I have a small pool in the back yard, and
though the houses are spread-out quite a bit, when me and my family
are in the back yard, I'd like to feel isolated from the neighbors.

One reason I moved to the country (i'm about 30 miles out of town) was
for the dark nights. I'm a stargazer, but my first night here I found
that the neighbor to my right has a huge flood light that lights up
that entire side of my yard. On the left side of my yard, I have a
wall of large red-tipped leaf bushes (not sure what it's called, but
it's very popular down here), and they are probably 15-20 feet or
more. I want to do something similar along the right and back sides
of the fence, which will give privacy and hide the chain-linked fence.
I checked into forsythias, but several websites on them only show
folks in the north growing the plant.

Sorry I wasn't a bit more detailed on the property in my initial post.
Let me know if this helps in any suggestions... and to those that have
replied, thanks a ton.

Take care,

Keegan.


Cathy wrote in message ...
Hello Keegan

You don't say where you are, so it a bit difficult. HOWEVER, the chain
link fence has to go or has to be hidden. Forsythias are cheap enough
from any nursery (usually 4- 6ft balled bushes go for about $30.00)
Space them 8 ft apart and in a few years you'll have a nice hedge.