hello, this is my first post on the landscaping board. I was hoping to get some advice on planing my own trees.

I want to create some privacy in my side and back yard. I was thinking a row of pine trees with some nice maple or ash trees in front.

I live in Southwest Pa. Our soil has a lot of clay. What kind of trees would your recommend for this area. I want something that is fast growing, creates nice shade and gives off nice fall color (I don't ask too much )

A landscaper wanted almost 4k for this. Is it possible to do it on my own?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Angel9603,

Angel, since you mention wanting shade, we can assume then your yard is in full sun.

Taking one thing at a time: You shouldn't think you can plant a tall evergreen behind some deciduous types without leaving some room for the trees to mature out at.

Trees are something that must be given careful thought to...they have a lot to say about your home. Put the wrong tree in and it can affect your home's re-sale value.
Planting a tree that grows fast often are the wrong types you should consider putting next to one another. Many are dirty trees, drop twigs and branches in winds and otherwise, should be carefully selected for special places.
With maples you get the well-known whirly seeds....call them helicopters, that drop by the thousands and many take root.

Maples...and there are many varieties to choose from...from small....to giants. Color varies from green to red and maybe back to green again.
You should have the height of your home in mind when you plan on a tree.
Evergreens are types that prefer moist, well drained soils. Most do not suffer from any particular soil...so the clay you have will not prove any barrier to good growth.
They just wont do well if the soil is constantly wet. Cedar is one of the exceptions.

If such evergreen is being shaded by a deciduous type, then it will only receive as much sun as the other allows and some deciduous maples or ash trees provide deep shade.

Maples are notorious for taking what water is in the ground near it. Your grass will be the first to suffer from such moisture loss.
There are types too that prefer such heavy moisture--birch (all types), maples, magnolia, sycamore, bald cypress... among many.

You needn't think to plant more than one or two trees at a time...give the selection time to make a statement about its growth, then plan on future plantings of the other kind.

Limited space for trees can make you think smaller type....dwarf varieties of the usual large ones are sometimes available.

If you perchance are on a septic system, planting a tree takes a lot of consideration.
Roots can invade such drainage tile and cause much damage.

The upbringing of the trees you choose can affect how well they take off. Balled and burlapped and container grown do well and can be planted pretty well anytime.
Bare rooted should be planted in spring to take advantage of the coming high sunlight.

Whatever you choose, don't spoil the tree by enriching its soil when first planted. Use the soil that it will need to survive in.

Yes, you can do it yourself. I have no suggestions. Try contacting you local county extension service office to see what they might recommend for your area/soil.

Thanks! We have a rather large backyard - almost 2 acres. It is in the sun the entire day. My first priority is for privacy, second is for the shade.

What is your opinion on Ash trees? Do all maples have the helicopters? My son would love it but cleaning them up does not sound like fun for me.

I understand what you are saying about allowing enough room between the trees for maturity. What is ample space?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Angel9603,

The best source of information about how to plant trees that I know of is at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/TreePtg.html
Now which tree to plant depends on many things, but you really do not want a fast growing tree since all of them are weak and constantly throw off dead wood, even many of the slow growing ones do that. An Ash could be a good choice depenidng on which one and whether you have the Emerald Ash Borer in your neck of the woods. Many Maples, Acer species, could be good choices just look for the slower growing cultivars. Some Maples do have a reputation for being water hogs and since there are many Maples that evolved in swamps that may be true, but many other Maples grow quite well in dryer locations and do not hog soil moisture.
Contact your local office of the Pennsylvania State University USDA Copperative Extension, http://www.extension.psu.edu/extmap.html
and they will be able to guide you in your selection.