What Evergreen Trees Thrive in Shade
A common question we hear is, what evergreen trees thrive in shade? Sun or shade is always an important determining factor for evergreen tree selection. This time of year, with the leaves gone, we can easily forget that our planting area is shady in the summer. The choices for tall privacy screening for shady areas in the northeast are limited to hollies and hemlocks.
Did you know the Nellie R. Stevens Holly is a Maryland Cultivar?
Benefits of Nellie R. Stevens Hollies
As you can see from the picture above, taller deciduous trees have lost their leaves for the winter, thus no longer providing privacy screening, but the Nellie R. Stevens Hollies stay green year-round. Plus, the hollies produce gorgeous red berries in the fall for a festive holiday tree. We use the Nellie Stevens holly, which stays denser in the shade and has a few insect issues.
Hemlock Trees in the Northeast US
Hemlocks in the Baltimore/Washington metro areas often become infested with the wooly adelgid beetle native to Asia. The hemlock woolly adelgid is a tiny parthenogenetic aphidlike insect. During the winter generation, the ovisacs contain up to 300 eggs. Sprays can control them, but most people today choose organic landscaping and do not use insecticides. Once infected, the hemlock dies within 3-5 years if not treated. For this reason, the hemlock has fallen out of favor over the years.
Want more info on the Nellie Stevens Holly living fence for privacy screening? Check out our gallery and product list on our website, Pryors.com.
About the Author: Wade Pryor is a professional botanist and the founder of Pryor’s Nursery . Since 1981, he has installed over 82,000 evergreen trees, specializing in “Living Fence” privacy screens across the Mid-Atlantic region. Learn more about Wade’s expertise here.
