WNC fedge/living fence suggestions?

Hello Permies!
I am in Western NC, zone 7a. I am seeking recommendations for shrubs/trees to use as a living hedge, something that would be an effective barrier against wayward critters (neighborhood dogs and such) while providing food/shelter for birds and pollinators.

In advance, thank you!

Have you considered Osage Orange?

Eric

michael pradella wrote:Hello Permies!
I am in Western NC, zone 7a. I am seeking recommendations for shrubs/trees to use as a living hedge, something that would be an effective barrier against wayward critters (neighborhood dogs and such) while providing food/shelter for birds and pollinators.

In advance, thank you!

Appalachian options: hawthorne, hibiscus (rose of Sharon bush), locusts, multiflora rose, and if you have sufficient sunlight - wild plum (Americana or cherokee variety)

Eric Hanson:
Thanks! Osage orange is definitely on my list of potential plants.

J Davis:
Thanks! Plum does sound good. I think I have adequate sunlight in the spot in question. And I do appreciate hibiscus fo'sho.

And I do like the laid-over-locust system also.

Just wanted to put a query out to see if anyone had any suggestions which I haven't considered yet.

I just planted a bunch of elephant grass rhizomes, which are suppoed to grow up to 10-12 ft tall and expand slowly 4 inches in diameter/year.  https://www.mapleriverfarms.com/  Goals were mainly privacy/windbreak.  Will see how dense that gets.

J Garbo:
Thanks! I like the looks of that. Will put it on my mental list