Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Tree help--Crape myrtles?
Hello all!
First time poster here and about to become a first time home buyer too (assuming all goes according to plan, he he). We are looking to plant some trees along our back soon-to-be fence line (northern exposure) but I am having trouble deciding on the right tree.
Here is my wish list: Fast growing, maturity at 15-25 feet, zone 9, flowering would be nice, evergreen would also be nice, not too expensive ($30 per tree), and I would like three of them to grow in a uniform line (or as uniform as can be).
I have been looking at the crape myrtles, however, I don't believe they are evergreen. Does anyone have any experience with a crape myrtle? Does anyone have a better suggestion other than a crape myrtle given my wish list? Thanks for your help and apologies if these are naive questions. As a decade long rental dweller, tree shopping is a brand new thing for me! 
Re: Tree help--Crape myrtles?
Crepe myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) aren't evergreen trees and they also tend to make a bit of a mess with their flowers. So, any sidewalks, patios, or fencing could be stained by the dropping flowers.
The real question is do you want these trees right next to the fence or are you wanting to set them a bit away from/creating the fenceline. If you're wanting them right next to the fence you could go with a tall shrub, like a sky pencil holly ('Ilex crenata 'Sky Pencil'). It doesn't flower but it is an evergreen holly that does not grow ridiculously high.
Also, are you wanting to create a screen out of these trees or just have them as specimens?
2011 AthensGAHalf official time: 2:33:31
Ze Blog
Mostly sunny? Viburnum awabuki 'Chindo', Viburnum rhytidophyllum, Ilex x 'Oak Leaf' (nonflowering but meets other criteria).
More shaded? Camellia spp. (not fast growing but meets other criteria; size varies by cultivar so make sure you buy one of the taller growing ones).
Something in between? Ligustrum texanum, Ligustrum japonicum, Ligustrum recurvifolium, Ilex x 'Mary Nell' (nonflowering but meets other criteria and does have good fruiting).
I think Crapes would be a fine choice, if you can compromise on the evergreen criteria, and buy an appropriately sized cultivar that is mildew resistant. If you have enough room, I'd recommend Lagerstroemia fauriei over L. indica, as it has superior mildew resistance (but gets larger).
Please make sure you plant them well away from the fence so that air and sunlight can reach the entire plant.