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11 Best Fast Growing Privacy Trees


fast growing privacy trees

2023-05-12

Looking to add some privacy and aesthetic charm to your backyard quickly? Fast growing privacy trees are an excellent option. Screening trees, also known as privacy trees, provide a natural barrier to your property and add beauty to your landscape. They also help reduce noise and clean the air, making them useful and beautiful. 

Privacy trees come in various species and sizes, making it easy to find one that fits your needs. All of these options, however, can make it hard to decide which one is right for you. In this article, we'll discuss the best fast growing privacy trees and how to decide which trees to plant in your yard. 

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Trees for Privacy

Choosing the right privacy trees is the most important step in creating a natural barrier around your property. To do so, there are some things you must consider, such as: 

1. The size and shape of your yard–You'll want to plant trees that complement the size of your yard. For example, if your backyard is narrow you should choose narrow trees so you don't overcrowd your outdoor space.  

2. Amount of sunlight your backyard receives–Certain privacy trees need more sunlight than others. Cross-reference the amount of sunlight in your backyard with the amount of sunlight a tree needs to choose a screening tree that will thrive in your yard.

3. Amount of privacy you want–Consider if you want full screening or partial coverage so you can choose trees with an appropriate density and height. 

4. Amount of maintenance needed–Different tree species have different maintenance levels that are needed. Depending on how much time (or money) you want to spend on tree maintenance will help you decide which types of privacy trees to plant. 

5. Your hardiness zone–Certain tree species grow and thrive better in certain growing conditions, also known as hardiness zones. Depending on your zone, you'll want to choose trees that thrive in that environment.

6. Your soil and water conditions–Trees have different requirements for water and soil pH. Test your soil and make sure the trees you want are suitable for your moisture levels and soil type. 

7. Your privacy needs–Are you looking for a year-round screen or just seasonal privacy? Want to block out noise or add aesthetic to your yard? Understanding the purpose of the privacy screen will help you plant the appropriate trees.

screen trees for privacy

Qualities of Good Privacy Trees

There are several types of screening trees to choose from flowering or non-flowering, tall or short trees, evergreen or deciduous, and fast-growing or slow-growing trees. However, the best fast growing privacy trees are: 

  • Easy to grow and maintain–Unless you are a master green thumb, odds are you don't want trees that are sensitive and hard to keep alive. Trees that are strong and don't need a lot for growing are the best kind of screen trees. 

  •  Are evergreens–If you want privacy year round, you should choose evergreen trees over deciduous trees, which lose their leaves every winter. 

  • Able to cohabitate with other trees–Since privacy trees are meant to provide, well, privacy, you'll want to pick trees that can grow and live close to other trees in order to get that full coverage. 

  • Fast growing–Most likely you want your privacy as soon as possible, not in 10 or 15 years. If this is the case you'll want trees that can grow at the very least 2.5 feet a year.

  • Taller than eye level–In order for a privacy tree to be useful, it should block your neighbor's views into your property, meaning you'll want trees that are higher than the average eye level.

  • Easily found and bought–A tree isn't really useful if you can't shop for it anywhere, which is why the best screening trees are easily accessible. 

  • Pretty–What's the purpose of adding trees to your landscape if they are eyesores? Top-notch privacy trees are beautiful and useful.

What Are The Fastest Growing Privacy Trees?

Here are the fastest growing screening trees and their characteristics:

1. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

green giant fast growing privacy free

Green Giant Arborvitae is a popular choice for creating a fast-growing evergreen screen. This tree matures in 30-40 years and can reach a maximum height of 60-80 feet. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. This tree is hardy in zones 5-9 and can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. It's a great option for creating a dense privacy screen or windbreak.

Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year

Soil: Well-drained soil, pH 6.0-7.0

Water: Regular watering, but not waterlogged soil

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness zones: 5-7

Maturity: 30-40 years, maximum height of 60-80 feet tall

Benefits: Provides a fast-growing evergreen screen, is deer-resistant, and provides year-round privacy. It grows tall and narrow, has dense foliage, and can be planted close together for a privacy hedge.

2. Leyland Cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii)

fast growing privacy tree leyland cypress

Leyland Cypress is a fast-growing evergreen tree that matures in 20-30 years and can reach a maximum height of 50-70 feet. This tree is known for its dense foliage and is a popular choice for creating a privacy screen. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. It's hardy in zones 6-10 and can tolerate drought once established.

Growth rate: 3-4 feet per year

Soil: Well-drained soil, pH 6.0-7.0

Water: Regular watering, but not waterlogged soil

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness zones: 6-10

Maturity: 20-30 years, maximum height of 50-70 feet tall

Benefits: Provides a fast-growing evergreen screen, creates a dense privacy barrier, and is resistant to pests and diseases. It has a feathery texture and is often used as a windbreak as well.

3. Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens')

nellie holly fast growing privacy tree

Nellie Stevens Holly is a popular evergreen tree that matures in 15-25 years and can reach a maximum height of 15-25 feet. This tree is known for its glossy green leaves and red berries, which provide winter interest. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. It's hardy in zones 6-9 and is a great choice for creating a low-maintenance privacy screen.

Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year

Soil: Moist, well-drained soil, pH 5.0-6.5

Water: Regular watering, but not waterlogged soil

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness zones: 6-9

Maturity: 15-25 years, maximum height of 15-25 feet tall

Benefits: Provides an attractive, evergreen screen, is drought-tolerant, and is attractive to birds and butterflies.

4. Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica)

arizona cypress fast growing privacy tree

Arizona Cypress is a fast-growing evergreen tree that matures in 10-15 years and can reach a maximum height of 40-50 feet. This tree is drought-tolerant once established and grows best in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. It's hardy in zones 7-9 and is a great option for creating a dense privacy screen or windbreak.

Growth rate: 3-4 feet per year

Soil: Well-drained soil

Water: Drought-tolerant once established

Sun: Full sun

Hardiness zones: 7-9

Maturity: 10-15 years, maximum height of 40-50 feet tall

Benefits: Provides a fast-growing evergreen screen, has unique blue-green foliage, and is drought-tolerant.

5. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

eastern red cedar fast growing tree

Eastern Red Cedar is a fast-growing evergreen tree that matures in 10-20 years and can reach a maximum height of 40-50 feet. This tree is known for its aromatic foliage and is a great choice for attracting birds and wildlife. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. It's hardy in zones 3-9 and is drought-tolerant once established.

Growth rate: 3-4 feet per year

Soil: Well-drained soil

Water: Drought-tolerant once established

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness zones: 3-9

Maturity: 10-20 years, maximum height of 40-50 feet tall

Benefits: Provides a fast-growing evergreen screen, is drought-tolerant, and attracts birds and wildlife.

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6. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)

A white pine privacy tree

Eastern White Pine is a slow-growing evergreen tree that matures in 50-100 years and can reach a maximum height of 80-110 feet. This tree is known for its soft, bluish-green needles and is a great choice for creating a tall privacy screen or windbreak. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. It's hardy in zones 3-8 and is a great choice for larger landscapes.

Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year

Soil: Well-drained soil

Water: Regular watering, but can tolerate dry soil

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness zones: 3-8

Maturity: 50-100 years, maximum height of 80-110 feet tall

Benefits: Provides a fast-growing evergreen screen, has a soft, delicate appearance, and is attractive to wildlife.

7. Lawson Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)

lawson cypress privacy tree

Lawson Cypress is a fast-growing evergreen tree that matures in 25-30 years and can reach a maximum height of 45-60 feet. This tree is known for its feathery, blue-green foliage and is a great choice for creating a privacy screen or windbreak. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and in well-drained soil. It's hardy in zones 5-9 and is drought-tolerant once established.

Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year

Soil: Well-drained soil

Water: Regular watering, but can tolerate some drought once established

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness zones: 5-9

Maturity: 25-30 years, maximum height of 45-60 feet tall

Benefits: Provides a fast-growing evergreen hedge or screen, has a graceful, pyramidal shape, and is deer-resistant.

8. Hybrid Poplar (Populus deltoides x Populus nigra)

hybrid poplar, a great privacy tree

Hybrid Poplar is a fast-growing deciduous tree that matures in 20-30 years and can reach a maximum height of 40-60 feet. This tree is known for its rapid growth and is a great choice for creating a quick privacy screen or windbreak. It grows best in full sun and in moist, well-drained soil. It's hardy in zones 3-9 and is a great choice for larger landscapes.

Growth rate: 5-8 feet per year

Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Water: Regular watering, but can tolerate some drought once established

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness zones: 3-9

Maturity: 20-30 years, maximum height of 40-60 feet tall

Benefits: Provides very fast-growing shade, is adaptable to a variety of soil types, and can be used for firewood or wood products.

9. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

wax myrtle fast growing privacy tree

Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year

Soil: Well-drained soil

Water: Regular watering, but can tolerate some drought once established

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness zones: 7-10

Maturity: 10-20 years, maximum height of 15-20 feet tall

Benefits: Provides a fast-growing evergreen screen, has fragrant foliage, and is attractive to birds. Additionally, its berries are a source of food for birds and other wildlife.

10. Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum)

bald cypress fast growing privacy tree

A tree that is well-adapted to wet soils, the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a fast-growing deciduous conifer that can mature in 20-30 years, reaching a maximum height of 50-70 feet. This tree thrives in full sun to partial shade and wet, acidic soils. It can grow up to 2-3 feet per year and is hardy in zones 4-10. It is often used for wetland restoration, erosion control, and as an ornamental tree.

Growth rate: 1-3 feet per year (moderate to fast)

Soil: Moist to wet, adaptable to sandy, loamy, or clay soils

Water: Regular watering when young, can tolerate some drought once established

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness zones: 4-10

Maturity: 20-30 years, maximum height of 50-70 feet tall

Benefits: Conical shape, provides excellent shade, good for erosion control, and can survive in wet areas. The wood is also resistant to decay.

11. Hybrid Willow (Salix spp.)

bald cypress fast growing privacy tree

Ideal for creating a dense and fast-growing privacy fence, the hybrid willow tree matures quickly and reaches its maximum height in just a few years. With a growth rate of 6 to 10 feet per year, this disease-resistant plant can quickly form a thick wall that blocks out neighbors and noise. However, it's important to note that if spaced incorrectly, the hybrid willow can reach a towering height of up to 75 feet. To create a manageable hybrid willow tree fence, plant them about 5 feet apart. Hybrid willows require a lot of water but can withstand periods of drought with the right maintenance. These plants do best in mid-sized to large yards and are great for drying out swampy soil while providing an effective windbreak.

Growth rate: 6-10 feet per year

Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Water: Requires a lot of water

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Hardiness zones: 3-9

Maturity: 5 years, maximum height of 75 feet tall

Benefits: Provides a fast-growing privacy screen that quickly forms a thick wall, is disease-resistant, and is great for windbreaks and drying out swampy soil. 

Benefits of Privacy Trees

Privacy trees offer several benefits, making them a popular choice among homeowners. They not only provide privacy but also create a natural habitat for birds and other wildlife. Additionally, they can help reduce wind, and reduce noise and air pollution. Privacy trees also add value to your property, making them a wise green investment for any homeowner.

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