We want to plant a tree for privacy from our neighbours house. We are looking for a FAST growing tree that will reach a height of at least 14feet, with a generous width. The spot where it will be planted is 12 feet from the foundation of our house. I live in Nanaimo. Any recommendations. Meppy
Problem with FAST growing trees is that they are unlikely to stop at 14'. Have you considered bamboo? It's evergreen, fast growing, and by choosing your variety carefully, you can have a final height close to what you desire. Consider a clumping bamboo such as Fargesia robusta or, if you're willing to control it, a running bamboo....there are many that will go to 20'+.
An evergreen that is tall and narrow, or several plants might make an elegant border planting or effective screen. The serbian spruce ( Picea omorika 'pendula') comes to mind as it is often planted as a specimen tree, and often planted out in groups. The variety P.o. 'pendula bruns' is especially fine having a stronger weeping habit; it is not quite as fast growing ( approx. 12" per year) and has a more elegant weeping habit with the branch ends sweeping upward to expose a flash of silver needles. Another plant to look for - Berliners' Weeper. These trees will eventually become tall 20m. But in the landscape because the scale is so large, many a house and urban tree will attain great height without being hardly noticed at all. If the plant is narrow then the height doesn't seem immense. Another tree that might be possible for you is the Sumac ( typhina) or the Staghorn sumac. This tree has an irregular habit and when in leaf large tropical looking leaves which would effectively block anything unsightly lying beyond it. However, the leaves are paper thin, letting light through them and there is enough space between leaves to create an open and airy habit. Often these trees are overlooked in the landscape. They will need little if any care, and are drought tolerant. In the winter their bony outline and bark will be enough to provide screening whilst not obscuring the light.
English Laurel or Prunus laurocerasus... grows quickly and ensures utmost privacy! Keep on trimming, however, it can grow to 10m. if in the right conditions...
Serbian spruce is P. omorika. P. omorika 'Pendula' is weeping Serbian spruce. Neither is fast- or broad-growing. In addition to having a coarse texture that makes spaces look smaller (as well as actually filling spaces with its growth) typical wild-type Prunus laurocerasus is a reseeding pest species in this region. The coastal native Myrica californica seems suitable for many screening situations. Plantings are becoming fairly frequent down here.
Forget the Myrica calilifornica, it will never do well in Nanaimo and in your time line, it would however in Sooke... you will also wait decades for it to grow at the rate you require. This Wash/Calif. native species is difficult to purchase locally and I would not recommend that you waste good money and time for not. it grows well along Long Beach south to Bamfield.
Develops rather rapidly on suitable sites, growing as much as 30' tall or more away from the winds right at the beach. 2001 edition of Sunset WESTERN GARDEN BOOK has Nanaimo zoned Sunset 4, which falls within the range of Sunset zones given by same publication for Myrica californica. If your site is at the beach or otherwise too harsh for this seaside-adapted shrub to grow tall, it will also limit many other kinds as well. "here's a pic showing some leaf detail from mine in Lantzville, just north of Nanaimo" http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=20340&highlight=myrica