We all want more privacy in our yards, but it’s always better to go for a more natural option instead of fencing the entire space. A live tree barrier provides the privacy you need, while not being as unfriendly as a fence. They also provide water drainage, carbon filter the air, and provide sound dampening from road traffic. These gentle giants can block views from neighbors and create a quiet outdoor space for you to enjoy your time.
You have to be careful about the trees you end up choosing. Your choice will depend on your climate, the size of your yard, and various other factors. This guide will explain the best trees for privacy you can get and why they work so well.
Right Trees for Privacy
Planting the best privacy trees, like these, can give you long-lasting coverage for decades. Here are some of the best trees that offer strong screening while enhancing the natural beauty of your home.
American Holly
The American holly (Ilex opaca) is a classic evergreen tree that provides a dense barrier full of shiny spiky green leaves. You can also get bright red berries in winter, which also attracts birds. Since it stays green all year round, you can even enjoy privacy in the colder months when most trees lose their leaves. The spiky leaves provide an extra deterrent to possible peepers that softer trees cannot provide. If you have issues with unwanted guests resting in your yard, these trees make a less welcoming space for naps.
This tree grows slowly to moderately, but it becomes very dense with time. You’ll find it hard seeing through its thick branches. That works especially well if you’re in a clustered neighborhood because it can provide strong screening from nearby homes. The American holly can grow 15 to 30 feet tall, and you can prune it to maintain a specific shape.
Yoshino Cryptomeria or “Japanese Cedar”
This tree grows quickly and has a soft, elegant appearance that is adored by people across the States. It’s a type of Japanese cedar that reaches 30 to 50 feet in height. The bright green foliage that grows in a pyramid shape turns slightly bronze in winter, but still provides a tall, solid wall to shield your home. It also handles heat and humidity, along with mild drought, fairly well.
Green Giant Arborvitae
Green Giant arborvitae is another reliable tree that grows incredibly fast. You’re looking at around 3 feet per year in optimal conditions, so you’ll get a green wall of privacy pretty fast. Mature trees can reach around 40 to 60 feet tall, but they stay narrow enough to fit into most yard designs.
The foliage of the Green Giant is soft and dense. It’s also resistant to pests and tolerant of different soils. If you live in a state with turbulent weather conditions, such as Florida or Texas, this tree will also stand strong against storms.
Heritage River Birch
The Heritage River Birch is known best for its attractive peeling bark and fast-growing time. Though keep in mind that if you live in an area with cold winters, they will shed their leaves seasonally. River birch trees have many branches and a wide canopy. This shields the view of your home from roads and neighbors to a particular extent.
This tree grows about 40 to 70 feet tall and has an open, dense branching pattern. The best feature is how you can still enjoy the sunlight without losing privacy. We recommend you to plant it near property edges or to break up large open spaces.
Oakleaf Holly
The American Holly’s softer cousin, this hybrid holly grows upright and dense with leaves that resemble oak leaves but stay green throughout the year. It grows quickly and can reach 14 to 20 feet tall. The thick and glossy foliage is perfect for creating a solid barrier, even when planted with a bit of spacing.
This tree is low maintenance, so it works exceptionally well for people who might not have the time to cater to it too much. It can also tolerate different soils and has good disease resistance. You can easily enjoy a clean and structured look in your yard without compromising on privacy.
Choosing the Right Trees for Privacy
Trees can offer the best, most natural sort of privacy in urban areas. You can choose from a vast variety, including American holly, Green Giant arborvitae, and more. If you want full privacy, evergreen trees will work best, while deciduous trees are better for partial screening. Also, think about the space you have and the height you want the tree to reach. These factors will affect the sort of tree you plant.