Privacy Trees
Privacy trees are trees that we plant to act as screens in order to block an unwanted view out of, or into, our property. In addition to providing privacy, these living fences also block noise, reduce air pollution, and slow the wind. We love the appearance of a living privacy fence, and appreciate the backdrop it provides for the ornamental plantings in our landscape.
Ideal privacy trees are evergreen, have dense foliage, grow quickly, are sturdy enough to withstand strong winds, and have few disease and pest problems. They should look nice too.
Perfect Plants has a large selection of trees for privacy screens, including broad leafed evergreens as well trees with needlelike leaves. Our shipping specialists carefully package your plants using a proven packaging method so that regardless of how your box is handled, the plants inside will not be damaged. We usually send out orders on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays by FedEx so your plant(s) arrive before the weekend.
Our favorite trees for privacy screens are coniferous evergreens, such as pines, cedars, junipers, and cypresses. Evergreen conifers tend to grow fast, have low maintenance requirements, and usually never need pruning.
Thuja Green Giant Thuja ‘Green Giant’ makes one of the very best fast growing evergreen screens. These beauties can put on 3-5 feet of height per year, reaching a mature height of 30-40 feet. They are adaptable to most soil types, and they are tolerant of drought. Leyland cypress is another good choice that grows fast to 50-60 feet, and quickly fills the gaps between individual trees spaced 5-8 feet apart.
Japanese cedar, Italian cypress, American arborvitae, and Canadian hemlock are other good choices for tall privacy screens. Note that Canadian hemlock tolerates shade better than other conifers, but is not suitable for hot climates.
Italian Cypress
The picturesque Emerald Green Arborvitae is popular because it doesn’t grow more than 2-3’ wide and doesn’t require any pruning. It’s a shorter tree, though, reaching just 12 feet in height at maturity. For really big screens, consider Leyland Cypress and Excelsa Cedar (a cultivar of giant arborvitae), both of which can get up to 20’ wide. Douglas Fir and giant arborvitae get even bigger, growing as wide as forty feet at maturity.
Check out The Fill’s list of top 10 trees for privacy here with a featured quote from the owner of Perfect Plants!
Check out our blog on the top Hedges for Privacy.
Whichever you decide to choose will be a great option for keeping your lawn exclusive, your air cleaner, and your views beautiful. Proper planning will ensure this tree will last in your yard for years to come. Let Perfect Plants help with your next privacy tree or fence project!
Leyland Cypress