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Living Fence Alternative
#1
I am looking at planting a living fence to border my property as opposed to chain link or wood fence. I feel having privacy should be a natural boundary within the land. I have looked at Naupaka plus other local plants and succulents. I know types of bamboo either clumps or spreads, but I can dig a 3 ft trench so it doesn't. I am leaving all my Ohias alone of course, I have only 2 small trees to move for a drive pad, that's it. Any suggestions on landscaping shrubs or trees for a living fence? Does anyone have a living fence?

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love" RUMI
"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love" RUMI
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#2
Wow, you have enough soil to dig a 3-foot trench? Probably easier to choose clumping bamboo and not runners.

I've seen lovely hedges from hibiscus--either all one color or a variety. If you want native plants, Hau would probably hedge well; I like the variegated one.

Podocarpus is often used for screen planting, but it doesn't flower, so what's the point?

Somebody on S. Kulani planted dozens of areca palms for a hedge 4 or 5 years ago, and they're already tall and lush and blocking views.
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#3
Ti plants are pretty easy to start & if you have a variety, they can be lovely (plus we use them as a support for lilikoi...at the end of the season, we cut the vines back...)

Also you can look at using some columnar fruit plants, if food production is a goal...
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#4
Moringa has been using as a living fence, and it can be used a food source as well.
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#5
Yes I do have dirt! I really like the Areca Palms and the Lipstick palms too for the front. Will look at all native plants like variegated Hau. I do not like podacarpus. Mahalo for the info!
quote:
Originally posted by Lee M-S

Wow, you have enough soil to dig a 3-foot trench? Probably easier to choose clumping bamboo and not runners.

I've seen lovely hedges from hibiscus--either all one color or a variety. If you want native plants, Hau would probably hedge well; I like the variegated one.

Podocarpus is often used for screen planting, but it doesn't flower, so what's the point?

Somebody on S. Kulani planted dozens of areca palms for a hedge 4 or 5 years ago, and they're already tall and lush and blocking views.


"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love" RUMI
"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love" RUMI
Reply
#6
Mahalo, yes food production is on the list. I will plant tangerine, lemon and lime. I am planting hot peppers of many varieties, garlic, lemongrass, basil varieties, white pineapple, papaya and coconut trees in the back. I plant what I eat and use a lot of. I love my chili peppers!!!
quote:
Originally posted by Carey

Ti plants are pretty easy to start & if you have a variety, they can be lovely (plus we use them as a support for lilikoi...at the end of the season, we cut the vines back...)

Also you can look at using some columnar fruit plants, if food production is a goal...



"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love" RUMI
"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love" RUMI
Reply
#7
Moringa is good too, I can make tea and use for food! I am a part time vegetarian...LOL Mahalo
quote:
Originally posted by shave_ice

Moringa has been using as a living fence, and it can be used a food source as well.


"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love" RUMI
"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love" RUMI
Reply
#8
Nothing will stop running bamboo from spreading so stick with clumping varieties. When I see fruit orchards properly trimmed for production the trees look pretty sparse so I don't know about fruit trees. I do have a friend who planted mulberry for a hedge. They are supposed to be trees but they look OK as a hedge. I have Areca palms at the front of my property and they do make a pretty good privacy hedge but a single row is not impenetrable. I also have four mats of bananas along the side planted 10' apart. They also provide privacy but there are places you can see through.
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#9
Some private security firms (think of the companies who supplement the secret service) recommend trifoliate orange grown into a hedge. It grows well in Hawaii. The dense shrub has sharp, two-inch thorns that make it impossible to cross over, or through the hedge. Once established the dense hedge is capable of stopping a sedan moving moderately fast. It is the true definition of a "living fence".

Although the fruit of trifoliate orange is barely edible, it accepts grafts from other citrus species readily making the living fence functional in many ways.

Cultivation

The cultivar "Flying Dragon" is dwarfed in size and has highly twisted, contorted stems. It makes an excellent barrier hedge due to its density and strong curved thorns. Such a hedge had been grown for over 50 years at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, and is highly student-proof.[6] The plant is also highly deer resistant.[7]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trifoliate_orange

ETA: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/hardy-orang...88157.html
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#10
Yes, I am going with the clumping variety, only planting 2 clumps of it in the staked corners, I found a website that specializes in clumping bamboo and how to plant and care for it. I will put the Areca palms/lipstick palms in front then Naupaka behind it. As far as the citrus trees go I will plant those in the back and properly fertilize and care for them so they wont look so sparse. I want it as natural jungle with growing food as possible. I want most everything growing to have a purpose or use. I like bananas, but I think I am more of a plantain fan and will plant those. Maybe the pink banana or blue as well. There will be perma culture also. There will be Hibiscus flowers to make tea with, Jasmine and Tahitian Gardenia, lots of orchids. A mini botanical garden if you will. Small kine plants will be inside a greenhouse. I am laying out the landscape plan for all of it. Yes you will be able to see in some spots but that's ok. Wonder what the maintenance on a mulberry hedge is like? I guess I can google that. I am alone so I have plenty of time and things to keep me busy there. I am still handy with a machete so if anyone tries to enter they meet up with my blade in front! LOL
quote:
[i]Originally posted by MarkP[/]Nothing will stop running bamboo from spreading so stick with clumping varieties. When I see fruit orchards properly trimmed for production the trees look pretty sparse so I don't know about fruit trees. I do have a friend who planted mulberry for a hedge. They are supposed to be trees but they look OK as a hedge. I have Areca palms at the front of my property and they do make a pretty good privacy hedge but a single row is not impenetrable. I also have four mats of bananas along the side planted 10' apart. They also provide privacy but there are places you can see through.


"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love" RUMI
"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love" RUMI
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