If your backyard feels a little too exposed or your patio lacks a sense of seclusion, planting trees for privacy is a natural solution.
Unlike fences or walls, trees provide year-round interest, improve air quality, and create a softer, more inviting boundary. Many fast-growing varieties can transform an open yard into a private retreat within just a few years.
The key is choosing the right species for your climate, space, and goals.
Fast growing privacy trees
Here are seven excellent trees that are commonly planted to create fast and effective privacy screens.
1. Leyland Cypress
- Mature Height: 50–70 feet
- Spacing: 6–8 feet apart
- Growth Rate: Fast (up to 3–4 feet per year)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Well-drained
The Leyland Cypress is a popular evergreen known for its rapid growth and dense, feathery foliage. With its tall and narrow form, it quickly creates a solid wall of green that offers year-round privacy and wind protection.
It’s best suited to larger properties where its height and spread won’t overwhelm nearby structures. While it thrives in well-drained soil and full sun, it should be spaced generously to promote airflow and reduce susceptibility to fungal diseases.
Once established, it requires minimal pruning and adapts well to a range of soil types.
2. Thuja Green Giant
- Mature Height: 40–60 feet
- Spacing: 5–6 feet apart
- Growth Rate: Very fast (3–5 feet per year)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained
Thuja Green Giant is a standout choice for those seeking fast results and low maintenance. Its pyramidal form and thick, glossy green foliage create an excellent living fence that stays vibrant throughout the seasons.
This tree is highly resistant to pests and deer, and it tolerates a wide range of climates and soils, as long as they’re well-drained. It performs best with regular watering during the first year but becomes quite drought-tolerant once mature.
Ideal for both suburban backyards and rural landscapes, Thuja Green Giant is a reliable and hardy screening tree.
3. Emerald Green Arborvitae
- Mature Height: 10–15 feet
- Spacing: 2–3 feet apart
- Growth Rate: Moderate (1–2 feet per year)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained
Emerald Green Arborvitae is a compact, elegant evergreen that’s perfect for tighter spaces or smaller yards. Unlike some larger screening trees, this variety maintains a slender shape that rarely needs pruning to stay tidy.
Its rich green foliage retains color through winter and creates a clean, uniform look when planted in rows. While it grows more slowly than other privacy trees, its dense branching structure offers excellent coverage.
It’s particularly well-suited to urban and suburban environments where space is limited but visual appeal is still a priority.
4. Nellie Stevens Holly
- Mature Height: 15–25 feet
- Spacing: 5–6 feet apart
- Growth Rate: Fast (2–3 feet per year)
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile
Nellie Stevens Holly combines privacy with ornamental beauty. Its dense, dark green foliage grows in a naturally conical shape, requiring little pruning to maintain form. The tree also produces bright red berries in fall and winter, adding seasonal color and attracting birds.
It’s tolerant of a variety of growing conditions, including light shade and moderate drought, and it establishes quickly with minimal fuss. Because of its neat appearance and adaptability, Nellie Stevens is a favorite for creating privacy screens with added visual interest.
5. American Holly
- Mature Height: 15–30 feet
- Spacing: 5–10 feet apart
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil: Moist, acidic, well-drained
The American Holly is a native evergreen that offers year-round privacy and classic charm. With its glossy, spiny leaves and clusters of red berries, it brings a traditional look to any landscape. While its growth is slower than some other options, it becomes a robust and long-lasting screen when mature.
It’s best planted in slightly acidic soil with consistent moisture, though it’s reasonably drought-tolerant once established. Because of its dense form and wildlife benefits, the American Holly is an excellent choice for those who value both function and native habitat.
6. Eastern Red Cedar
- Mature Height: 40–50 feet
- Spacing: 6–8 feet apart
- Growth Rate: Moderate (1–2 feet per year)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Adaptable, including poor or rocky soils
Eastern Red Cedar is a rugged, native evergreen that thrives where other trees struggle. Its dense foliage and tough nature make it ideal for natural windbreaks and privacy screens, especially in rural or open areas.
The tree offers excellent drought tolerance and can handle poor or rocky soils, making it a low-maintenance option for challenging conditions. With its bluish-green needles and small, berry-like cones, it also adds visual interest. It’s a great choice for large properties where you want a natural look and minimal upkeep.
7. Cryptomeria Radicans (Japanese Cedar)
- Mature Height: 30–40 feet
- Spacing: 5 feet apart
- Growth Rate: Fast (3–4 feet per year)
- Sunlight: Full sun
- Soil: Moist, well-drained
Cryptomeria Radicans is a fast-growing evergreen with soft, fern-like foliage that offers a unique texture among privacy trees. It grows tall and narrow, making it ideal for tighter planting areas where vertical screening is needed.
The tree is relatively low-maintenance and holds up well in humid conditions, though it prefers consistent watering during dry spells. Its elegant form and rapid growth rate make it a standout choice for homeowners looking to create a private, tranquil setting.
Unlike some more common evergreens, it offers a fresh look without sacrificing functionality.
Best trees for privacy screens
When it comes to creating a fast, natural privacy screen, your choice of trees can make all the difference. The right species will not only block unwanted views but also contribute to the overall beauty and health of your landscape.
Whether you need a towering wall of green or a modest row of evergreens, there’s a tree on this list that can meet your needs. Take the next step in transforming your space by planting a living privacy screen that will only grow better with time.
