Low Light Requirement Varieties

[paupau]

Long story short my neighbor's window reflects light strong enough to melt the vinyl siding on my house over time. I've thought about trying to plant some trees along the property line to block the light. Are there any fig trees that do well in shorter time exposed to sunlight? As you can see in the attached photo the side yards get less direct light than the front and back do. Would yall think some fig tree varieties would be a good idea to put here or is 4-6h of sun a day not enough for pretty much any figs?

 

[snarfing]

6 hours of sun is what full sun is, so most should be fine there.

 

[paupau]

I found a Facebook post where someone mentioned that planting fig trees near houses introduces a lot of risk of damaging the foundation.

the houses are on slabs, is this true and should i avoid putting them in the ground here? Or is there some way to help prevent that likr growing them in containers or something? The soil is heavily clay too which i think that helps slow root spread.

 

[paupau]

6 hours of sun is what full sun is, so most should be fine there.

Probably closer to 4 then. It get some in the morning but little to no direct sunlight in the afternoon or evening.

 

[Figjake]

Probably closer to 4 then. It get some in the morning but little to no direct sunlight in the afternoon or evening.

I find my VDB types like the morning sun and the afternoon sun they don’t prefer. The ones in pots do at least.

 

[TorontoJoe]

I found a Facebook post where someone mentioned that planting fig trees near houses introduces a lot of risk of damaging the foundation.

the houses are on slabs, is this true and should i avoid putting them in the ground here? Or is there some way to help prevent that likr growing them in containers or something? The soil is heavily clay too which i think that helps slow root spread.

In the north east many people plant their figs close to the house to take advantage of the heat from the foundation walls. I can only speak from my experience but I've never known fig roots to be aggressive enough to do damage to foundations in the way that an oak or maple might

 

[DCallahan]

Might be a good section of the property to use for a nursery area with the limited full sun time.

 

[paupau]

Might be a good section of the property to use for a nursery area with the limited full sun time.

I typically use my patio for that. Im specifically wanting to put something in this space that can grow tall enough to block the light beams

 

[snarfing]

In the north east many people plant their figs close to the house to take advantage of the heat from the foundation walls. I can only speak from my experience but I've never known fig roots to be aggressive enough to do damage to foundations in the way that an oak or maple might

In general tree roots do not actually harm foundations. Roots go to water. If your foundation is craxked and the craci is wet you have another issue. What happens is a foundation is damaged from something else and theres a leak and the roots make it worse. But they wont damage a intact foundation. Why would they

 

[DCallahan]

I typically use my patio for that. Im specifically wanting to put something in this space that can grow tall enough to block the light beams

Gotcha,
The problem with figs , Is there are so many months of defoliation giving almost no cover you desire.
Maybe a vining type plant, grapes, hardy kiwi??

 

[pjmac]

Gotcha,
The problem with figs , Is there are so many months of defoliation giving almost no cover you desire.
Maybe a vining type plant, grapes, hardy kiwi??

I got eat hardy kiwis for the first time this year. Delicious. Great recommendation

 

[paupau]

Gotcha,
The problem with figs , Is there are so many months of defoliation giving almost no cover you desire.
Maybe a vining type plant, grapes, hardy kiwi??

Even in summer? That's when the sunlight is harsh enough to melt the siding

 

[Tiger garden]

I found a Facebook post where someone mentioned that planting fig trees near houses introduces a lot of risk of damaging the foundation.

the houses are on slabs, is this true and should i avoid putting them in the ground here? Or is there some way to help prevent that likr growing them in containers or something? The soil is heavily clay too which i think that helps slow root spread.

I'm curious what growing zone or what location did this Facebook post originate from? I keep hearing people spread that idea around but I don't think I ever saw any evidence to back up this claim.

In your zone 8 I don't think you will have such concerns. If you were in growing zone +10 with a tropical climate then maybe that claim would have more merit.

 

[snarfing]

Even in summer? That's when the sunlight is harsh enough to melt the siding

I know people hate conflict but u think your neighbor has somewhat a responsibility to make this not happen. Have you talked to them?

 

[paupau]

I know people hate conflict but u think your neighbor has somewhat a responsibility to make this not happen. Have you talked to them?

yes I have. He said he would put up some external screens on the problematic windows to scatter the light so it isn't focused. But has yet to do so. I can only control what I can control.

 

[paupau]

I'm curious what growing zone or what location did this Facebook post originate from? I keep hearing people spread that idea around but I don't think I ever saw any evidence to back up this claim.

In your zone 8 I don't think you will have such concerns. If you were in growing zone +10 with a tropical climate then maybe that claim would have more merit.

good point I have no idea. I also imagine it depends on soil content too. I would think my heavy clay soil would impede fast root growth.