Question
I live in Nassau County, on Long Island in New York.  I have a row of about 12 pine trees that line my backyard.  The length of the backyard is about 90 feet.  The trees are about 4 feet from the sidewalk and about a foot or two higher in elevation than the sidewalk (the yard slopes down to the sidewalk).  The trees must be about 30-40 feet tall.  As they have grown over the years, some of the lower branches have died and there is no longer any privacy in the backyard.  I'd like to plant some bushes between the trees and the sidewalk to add some privacy to the backyard (basically want a privacy hedge).  I would like the bushes to grow to about 5-6 feet high (as I would cut the rest of the low branches from the trees).  I would like the hedge to stay dense and offer privacy all year, so I don't want something that will lose its leaves in the winter.  I think I'd need something evergreen.

What kind of bush/shrub/tree would you suggest I plant?

I'm concerned that they will be fighting with the pine tree roots for nourishment. Additionally, I've heard that pine needles make the soil acidic (is this true?), so the bushes will need to be able to thrive in this environment.  Lastly, since I want to plant these right under the trees, I don't think they will get too much direct sunlight.


If you do have any suggestions for something that will be a good fit in this case, can you please suggest how many I would need, how far to space them when I plant, and the best time to plant them in my area?  Also, I would like to know how best to maintain them going forward.

Thanks!

Answer
Hello Rich

I don't think what you want is going to be possible.

Firstly - the conifer roots will indeed be a big problem - I don't think you would even be able to dig a hole there!  

Secondly - even if you could dig a hole, the soil will be totally impoverished by the conifers and anything you put into the soil to improve its condition will immediately be gobbled up by the trees.

Thirdly - the lack of sunlight would also be a big problem.  Even plants that like some shade do like some sun at sometime during the day!

I'm sorry Rich, I have conifers in my garden and so I know from personal experience how frustrating they can be!  The only logical thing you could do here for privacy is put up a fence - if you're allowed to! - or have the conifers taken down and the roots grubbed out and start again!  And even that will pose problems being so close to the sidewalk!

Gill

For future reference - conifer needles do indeed make the ground acid.