Best dog friendly trees/hedges for Privacy

matthew.ryan · March 2023

Hi all, first time homeowner and gardening novice here.

We luckily have a very large corner plot on our estate, our back fence (approx 17m long) borders a main road, which is about 3ft higher than our backyard which leaves us with very little privacy. We are having new, larger fences fitted next week to give us some more privacy, but this is more of a stop-gap until we can plant some screening/privacy trees, which is where I am lost.

We want something that is:

- Fast-ish growing that can reach at least 10-12ft tall (I accept it will take a few years - but I don't want to be waiting 5+ years)

- Dog friendly - we have a 7 month old pup

- Novice friendly – unlikely that I’ll accidentally kill the tree

- Low price – Ideally want to buy in a ~120cm pot, they seem to be relatively cheap, and I feel like I’ve got less of a chance of messing it up if it’s already a meter tall

Not asking for much, I know!

I want to avoid just a full hedge line, although that will do the trick, I don’t think it looks very nice in a back-garden and doesn’t look very good if not trimmed nicely. I want something that is more tree-like.

I really like the look of laurel, but it isn’t dog safe, and bay-laurel which is dog-safe has a really small growth rate.

Leylandii Cypress seems to be the only thing I can find that ticks all the boxes, but when looking on forums online, there seems to be a lot of negative sentiment towards them…

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Joyce Goldenlily · March 2023

Leylandii will grow approx. 6-12 ft per year.
I would suggest you look into evergreen shrubs, some can grow to small tree heights and can be pruned with a clear lower stem to look like trees.

M33R4 · March 2023

I've grown a mix hedge consisting of privet and the tallest Butterfly bushes. They grow quickly and are dog safe.

thevictorian · March 2023

A lot of plants that are labelled as toxic or not safe for animals, only become so when the pet is allowed to eat them. It normally takes quite some doing to even give them a tummy upset, so I wouldnt be ruled by that criteria unless you know your dog will definitely be a problem. I've had dogs all my life and don't know of anyone that has had a problem with sick dogs from plants.

Can you let us know more about the site. Is it sunny? What's the soil like? And where abouts are you in the country? All will help with plant suggestions.

Plantminded · March 2023

Griselinia littoralis is evergreen, relatively fast growing at 20 - 40 cm a year and safe for dogs. It will blend in well with a mix of other shrubs in a staggered row to provide screening. It needs well draining soil, is happy in sun or shade, but best avoided if you get severe cold and wet winters.

JennyJ · March 2023

How about a mixed native hedge? For example https://www.hedgesdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Discounted_Mixed_Native_Garden_Hedging_Packs.html .

If you're quick there's just about time to plant bare-root whips which are much cheaper than pot-grown plants, establish more easily and will probably catch up over a couple of years.

matthew.ryan · March 2023

Thanks for the advice all!

Privet is an option, maybe I can plant them 60-80cm apart so it looks like less of a hedge but still gives some privacy?

Evergreen shrubs has opened some more options to me on google, just working my way through 20 Best Evergreen Shrubs | BBC Gardeners World Magazine

We're located in Warrington in the north west. Honestly couldn't tell you what the soil is like, it's never flooded since we moved in last August if that helps. A lot of the garden is currently covered by slate around the edges so that is a bit of an unknown at the minute until we remove the slate. Planning on planting next to our fence line, good amount of direct sunlight, except in one corner where next doors tree's tower over.

I do agree about the safe for dogs argument, an surprising amount of common plants & trees seem to be "toxic to animals", but vague on whether that's them eating a single leaf and getting poorly, or them chewing through half the tree. We have a 7 month old Staffy who loves to chew anything loose on the ground in the garden, so I think i'm going to play it safe in that regard.

Mixed native hedge looks interesting, never heard of them before, i'll have a look thankyou. I have come across bare-root when looking online (Mainly looking through the Grasslands catalogue Welcome To Grasslands Nursery | The Hedging Specialist | Grasslands Nursery, Cheshire | Grasslands Nursery, Cheshire). I'm assuming "bare-root whips" and "root-balled" are the same thing?

Plantminded · March 2023

Bare root whips are younger, smaller plants, with the soil washed off, normally lifted from the field where they are grown when dormant. Root-balled are older plants with a more established root system which still has soil around it, enclosed in a hessian sack to be removed before planting. Bare roots are less expensive. Both will establish well in the right soil with the right care, at the right time. Root-balled plants are generally easier to establish now.

Nanny Beach · March 2023

Bare root whips, have hardly any root as such, like willow whips. Root balls,are just that. I planted dog roses,as whips along our back fence. Pretty (cheap) good for pollinators. Have had dogs since I was a kid, they've never eaten shrubs or plants. The 7 year old border collie we have now rather likes the cat poo in the veg plot!! Hubby calls it "cat snack"

alexryzawlskiqBU-X4OF · March 2023

If you want fast results go for the privet/leylandii. However I always like the sound of a native hedge to help wildlife (hawthorn, blackthorn, Hazel, Holly-there's all sorts) . I don't know about dog friendly much. I have dogs and have never had an issue about worrying about them eating my plants. I agree with Thevictorians comment that most cases a dog would need to eat loads of a plant to have any affect,but it's fine to Urr on the side of caution

zugenie · March 2023

I can recommend

https://www.hedging.co.uk/acatalog/product_10273.html

for bareroot privet (and a lot of other bareroot hedging and trees!) I just recently purchased bareroot privet from there for my hedge and I was really pleased with it

Best dog friendly trees/hedges for Privacy

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