I am outside of Kansas City, heavy soil with clay increasing 24-48" down. Our city is offering low cost Freemani maples. Does anyone have experience with these? I am especially interested in their rooting habit and growth rate.

My second question is about planting a hedge in front of the house. I hope to plant a row near the street to enclose the front yard and get some privacy. I would like to use our naive juniper but am concerned about their growth rate. How fast have they grown for you? Has anyone planted shrubs or trees near the street (plan an approximatly 6' wide bed between the street and yard)? I was thinking dogwood, lilac and forsythia. I thought I might use the popular Thuja Green Giant if the junipers grow very slowly. I want the hedge to vary in height from 4-8'. Any opinions or adive are welcome as I am new to gardening.