Privacy trees are an attractive and eco-friendly solution for creating a natural barrier around your property, blocking unwanted views, and reducing noise pollution. Unlike wooden fences, privacy trees provide a lush, green backdrop that enhances the beauty of your landscape while offering a range of additional benefits, such as shade, wildlife habitat, and improved air quality. Let’s explore the fastest-growing and best trees for privacy, helping you choose the perfect options for your yard.
Fastest Growing Trees for Privacy
When selecting privacy trees, many homeowners prioritize fast growth to achieve a dense, living fence as quickly as possible. Here are some of the fastest-growing trees for privacy:
Hybrid Poplar
Hybrid poplars are one of the fastest-growing trees available, capable of adding up to 8 feet of growth per year. They have a tall, narrow growth habit with a mature height of 40-50 feet and a spread of 30-35 feet, making them ideal for screening purposes.
Hybrid poplars prefer full sun exposure (at least 6 hours per day) and are adaptable to various soil types. They are also disease-resistant and can grow well in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.
However, hybrid poplars are relatively short-lived compared to other privacy trees and require regular maintenance such as pruning to keep their growth under control. Their weak wood is also more prone to breakage in storms.
Leyland Cypress
Leyland cypress is an extremely popular evergreen for privacy screens. It has a very fast growth rate of 3-5 feet per year and a dense, pyramidal growth habit.
At maturity, Leyland cypress can reach an impressive height of 60-70 feet with a spread of 15-25 feet. It retains its thick, feathery foliage year-round, providing consistent screening and privacy. This evergreen prefers full sun and well-draining soil. It grows best in USDA zones 6-10.
Leyland cypress is best suited for larger properties due to its substantial mature size. Regular pruning is recommended to maintain its shape and size.
Green Giant Arborvitae
Green Giant Arborvitae is another fast-growing evergreen that adds about 3 feet to its height annually. It has a conical shape with dense, rich green foliage that offers excellent screening.
At maturity, Green Giant Arborvitae reaches a height of 40-60 feet with a spread of 12-20 feet. Its foliage grows in a neat, uniform shape that requires little to no pruning to maintain.
This arborvitae is adaptable to various soil types and is relatively low-maintenance once established. It prefers full sun to partial shade and grows well in USDA zones 5-8.
Dawn Redwood
Dawn Redwood is a fast-growing deciduous tree that can add more than 2 feet of growth per year. While it does not provide year-round screening like evergreens, its rapid growth rate still makes it a good choice for quick privacy.
This tree has a pyramidal growth habit with soft, feathery needles that turn a beautiful bronze color in fall before dropping. It reaches a mature height of 70-100 feet with a spread of 25 feet.
Dawn Redwood prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. It is a low-maintenance tree that grows well in USDA zones 5-8.
In summary, hybrid poplars, Leyland cypress, Green Giant Arborvitae, and Dawn Redwood are some of the fastest-growing trees available for privacy screening. While they offer quick results, it’s important to consider their mature size, maintenance needs, and site conditions when selecting the best option for your landscape.
Best Trees for Privacy
In addition to growth rate, there are other factors to consider when choosing the best trees for privacy, such as mature size, foliage density, and adaptability to your growing conditions. Here are some top choices:
Eastern White Pine
Eastern white pine is a fast-growing evergreen that can add more than 3 feet to its height each year. It has long, soft needles and a graceful, pyramidal shape that provides a dense, year-round screen.
At maturity, Eastern white pine can reach an impressive height of 50-80 feet with a spread of 20-40 feet. Its adaptability to various soil types and tolerance for a range of sun exposures make it a versatile choice for many landscapes. This tree grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3-7.
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Emerald green arborvitae is a compact, slow-growing evergreen with a narrow, columnar shape. While it only adds about 6-9 inches of growth per year, its dense foliage and ability to grow in tight spaces make it an excellent choice for small yards or as a living fence.
At maturity, Emerald green arborvitae reaches a height of 10-15 feet with a spread of 3-4 feet. Its rich green foliage maintains its color throughout the year, providing consistent screening. This arborvitae prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 5-8.
Wax Myrtle
Wax myrtle is an evergreen shrub that can grow 3 to 5 feet per year. It has glossy, dark green leaves and a dense, rounded growth habit that can be easily shaped into a hedge.
At maturity, wax myrtle can reach a height of 15-20 feet with an equal spread. Its adaptability to various soil types and tolerance for salt spray make it a good choice for coastal landscapes. This shrub prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 7-11.
Nellie Stevens Holly
Nellie Stevens holly is an evergreen tree with a pyramidal shape and glossy, dark green leaves. It can grow up to 3 feet per year and produces bright red berries in winter that add visual interest.
At maturity, Nellie Stevens holly reaches a height of 15-25 feet with a spread of 10-15 feet. Its dense foliage provides excellent year-round privacy, and the tree is relatively low-maintenance once established. This holly prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. It grows best in USDA hardiness zones 6-9.
When selecting the best trees for privacy, consider factors like mature size, growth rate, foliage density, and adaptability to your specific growing conditions. By choosing trees like Eastern white pine, Emerald green arborvitae, wax myrtle, or Nellie Stevens holly, you can create a beautiful, effective privacy screen that enhances your landscape for years to come.
Conclusion
Privacy trees offer a natural, attractive way to create a secluded oasis in your yard while providing numerous environmental benefits. By choosing fast-growing options like hybrid poplar, Leyland cypress, or green giant arborvitae, you can quickly establish a living privacy fence.
For the best long-term results, consider factors like mature size, foliage density, and adaptability to your growing conditions when selecting privacy trees for your landscape.