Question From: j. knutson - Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Q: I like the looks of Arborvitae, American shrubs. i need to create a nice wind break/ barrier on the side of my property next to a new trail and road. I don't have a ton of room which is why i liked this shrub/bush/tree. Issue is that because it is sensitive to salt, the road might spray snow/salt on to them (the would be planted 15 feet from the edge of the road).. do you have any other suggestions for a more immediate (2-3 years max) solution? i don't want to put some evergreens as they wont' provide the privacy i need
A: Your best bet is to do an onsite search in your own home town. Drive around and look at what other folks are planting and how they are holding up. In some areas of the country the amount of salt used and the frequency of applications varies and that makes a huge difference. As with boxwoods, some varieties are hardier and more resistant then others. Also check with your botanical garden and nurseries that specialize in woodies. Fifteen feet is not a great distance and you may need to think about screening with material. Good Luck and Happy Yardening, Nancy
