which evergreens to plant - Ask Extension
Which evergreens would be best to plant as sight and sound barrier from street noise? Also, near a power line. I need varieties that grow 15 -20'. P...
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which evergreens to plant #927968
Asked April 09, 2026, 10:30 PM EDT
Which evergreens would be best to plant as sight and sound barrier from street noise? Also, near a power line. I need varieties that grow 15 -20'. Preferably deer resistant. Would blue spruce dwarf or arborvitae or Japanese yews?
Should I have the soil tested?
Dakota County Minnesota
Expert Response
See this app for plant parameters.
https://plantsearch.extension.umn.edu/home/list?page=list
Anything planted under a power line is subject to being pruned by the power company. Arborvitae and Japanese Yew may not be a good idea because some varieties grow more than 20 feet. Blue Spruce does well in Colorado where the air is drier. They often pick up needlecast diseases in Minnesota which has higher humidity. It is not recommended for growing in this state. A shrub like Lilac might be a better idea to stay under 15 feet in height.
https://plantsearch.extension.umn.edu/home/list?page=list
Anything planted under a power line is subject to being pruned by the power company. Arborvitae and Japanese Yew may not be a good idea because some varieties grow more than 20 feet. Blue Spruce does well in Colorado where the air is drier. They often pick up needlecast diseases in Minnesota which has higher humidity. It is not recommended for growing in this state. A shrub like Lilac might be a better idea to stay under 15 feet in height.
Lilac is not going to be screen in the winter. I need evergreens. I would not be planting directly under the power line. If the tree grows 20', then I will plant it 20' away from the power line, etc. With the planting distance and height in mind, it sounds like arborvitae or Japanese yew are my choices?
Thanks!
Jane
