GREEN FENCES

Ironic though it seems, nurturing your own habitat can start with fences.The right kind of fences of course.

Fences are a historic landscaping means to create a border, for privacy, and to keep out animals, or for security in general.

"Choosing softscape" fencing means uses plants and trees as a barrier, adding a natural aesthetic that is consider by many to be much more appealing visually. In many ways softscape fencing offers the privacy and security that is generally implied with hardscape fencing. In some ways it is actually more secure, with trees that grow in excess of the typical fence height of three to five feet. In addition, these plants and trees can be so dense that they are comparable to hardscape fencing in keeping out uninvited guests, like skunks and raccoons, etc. okay, some people too.

Trees and plants do so much more than just look good, maintain privacy, and provide security, they also help to restore the ecological surroundings. The plants and trees are natural insulators and can reduce the noise absorbing the sounds in your area. Once roots are embedded into the land where they are planted, the topsoil surrounding them increases in nutrients and creates a land lock for the nutrients to not be washed away.

In fact, Botanist Phung Tuu Boi introduced the plant, Gleditschia austalis as a fencing in areas where Agent Orange poisoned the land -- see www.nytimes.com/2007.  Gleditschia austalis was particularly chosen because for it's prickly cactus features. The land was given a chance to restore itself by keeping animals and people off of it, as well as for creating healthier topsoil and land lock.

www.fast-growingtrees.com has a greet display and description of fast growing trees that includes the height, growing zones and appearance. They even tell you what's popular if you have trouble making a decision over what will look good, and of course you can purchase them on their web-site. Some variations include The Holly Tree, which has look like a green hedge, the Chinese Privet which has a white color, and the Wichita Blue Juniper which has a blue color. Note that checking the zoning charts will let you know which plants will survive in your climate. the chart will also help you to determine if taller trees make better borders for you, as in windy or colder climates. And finally, a nursery will help you to find the native plants to your area.  

It's spring time-- go mend fences!