The selection of trees for privacy screens depends on your climate zone. Here, you will find information on Leyland cypress, False cypress, Columnar Mogul Pine, Russian Laurel, and more. Decide which type of privacy tree is best for your climate. The time it takes to grow may be worth it if you get to enjoy the fresh fruit it produces. If you want privacy without being too visible, a crabapple or a pear tree will do.
Leyland cypress
If you’re considering planting a privacy screen for your home, consider using a Leyland cypress tree. This low-maintenance evergreen will keep bluish-green needles throughout the year. Because they tolerate a wide range of sunlight and soil conditions, Leyland cypress trees can be a perfect fit for your home. You can enjoy privacy and protection from unwanted noise and light from nearby streets and highways while enjoying the beauty of a mature Leyland cypress tree.
A Leyland Cypress tree will grow to a great size and take up a lot of space, so plant them at least twelve to fifteen feet apart. If you plan to grow them near a home, be sure to leave them at least five to six feet between them. Watering them properly is essential to preventing disease and early death. Despite their quick growth, Leyland cypress trees need a healthy soil to thrive.
A Leyland cypress tree has a dense, blue-green feathery foliage that retains color during the winter months. It is less susceptible to root rot and leaf spot than other trees, but is more prone to tip blight. The best place to plant a Leyland cypress is a well-drained, moist area with some sunlight. You can also plant Leyland cypress in partial shade.
False cypress
Although many people don’t think of cypress trees as privacy screen trees, the species is ideal for the purpose. It grows to 60 feet in Japan and is a fast-growing, semi-evergreen tree that requires little to no pruning. The plant has a pyramidal form and blue or silver foliage. It is ideal for screening and requires no trimming at all. A few factors should be considered before planting a cypress tree, however.
This low-maintenance tree will grow well in most soil types. Some may require annual pruning to keep its shape, but the overall maintenance will be minimal. In general, false cypress will grow well in most soils, though they do prefer a slightly acidic soil. Young plants should be planted in well-drained soil that is moist but not saturated. Once established, they become drought and heat-tolerant. They can also benefit from evergreen spikes and slow-release fertilizers. Rabbits and deer aren’t a common concern, and they can grow in most types of soil.
Lawson cypress is one of the largest privacy screen trees in America, and its compact habit makes it a desirable addition to an urban yard. The height and spread of Lawson cypress are considerable, but if you’re growing them for privacy purposes, consider cultivars that don’t grow to more than 6 feet. They’re both fast-growing and drought-tolerant once established.
Columnar Mogul Pine
If you’re looking for a privacy screen tree that doesn’t grow very tall, Columnar Mogul Pine may be the best choice for you. Its symmetrical pyramidal shape and fastigiate growth make it ideal for privacy screens, windblocks, and sound barriers. They can be planted in USDA zones five to 10 and require minimal maintenance. These trees are surprisingly durable. However, they’re not suitable for every home.
Another excellent choice for a privacy screen is the Colorado Blue Spruce. This columnar, grafted variety has narrow, upright branches, making it an excellent choice for fence line planting. As a bonus, this tree is very hardy and has beautiful, vibrant blue needles. These trees are also relatively slow-growing, which is beneficial for privacy-screening, but can still be a good option if your yard is exposed to hot, dry weather. They are also deer-resistant and will tolerate drought-prone conditions.
The Columnar Mugo Pine is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 10 feet in height and spread about four feet. It fills out right to the ground, so you don’t need to use facer plants around it. It’s also suitable for planting under power lines. And because it grows slowly, this tree will last for 50 years or more. In addition, it’s a low-maintenance option for privacy screen planting.
Russian Laurel
A native of Europe, the Japanese Maple can be grown in small yards and is very hardy. These trees grow about two feet per year, and have a dense, green screening habit. They are excellent screen trees and shelterbelts, but need constant moisture and good drainage. The foliage is glossy and attractive all year round, and they can be pruned into hedges to screen off a view. They are also deer resistant.
Among the best choices for privacy screens, laurels are especially good for privacy. Their dense foliage provides excellent privacy while muffles noise and filters the air. Despite being a fast-growing tree, laurels are also excellent for defining garden space. Pruning them can be intensive without causing negative effects. The leaves of laurels grow quickly, so they can be planted close to a house or fence.
Schipka laurel, also known as skip laurel, is a hardy evergreen shrub that produces clusters of small white flowers in spring. This type of laurel is the coldest cherry laurel, but is also good for medium-sized privacy screens. It thrives in partial shade to full sun, and requires moist, well-drained soil. The schip laurel also needs a bit of air movement to avoid serious diseases.
Emerald Green Arborvitae
If you’re in search of a privacy screen tree that will stand out from the crowd, look no further than the Emerald Green Arborvitae. This tree prefers moist, well-drained soil and a pH range of neutral to alkaline. When planted in rows or clusters, they make excellent hedges or privacy screen trees. You can plant them three to four feet apart for best results. Emerald Green Arborvitae requires little maintenance and thrives in a variety of soil conditions.
Emerald Green Arborvitae makes a beautiful and easy to maintain privacy screen for your property. Emerald Green Arborvitae trees can grow up to 15 feet in height, and require very little routine maintenance once they’ve established themselves. This evergreen tree is suited for both outdoor and indoor locations. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it does not tolerate pruning well, so be aware that it may become leggy or overgrown if it’s placed in a shaded area.
While Emerald Green Arborvitae trees grow fast, they need a good amount of sunlight to thrive. They need at least six hours of direct sunlight to be fully productive. Generally, they grow to between 10 and 12 feet in height and two to four feet in width. Because they have dense, lush growth, they make excellent privacy screen trees and can grow tall enough to form a privacy hedge in a relatively short amount of time.
Wax myrtle
The beauty of the wax myrtle lies in its versatility as a hedge and privacy screen tree. This native to the Southeast is hardy in USDA zones 7b to 11 and has multiple stems that grow from a common root collar. Its foliage is highly aromatic, making it attractive to birds and is often used to make candles in Colonial times. It can reach a height of 25 feet, although it usually remains a small tree.
The leaves of the Wax Myrtle are fragrant and green. Its smooth, grey-brown bark is quite durable. Its fast growth rate makes it easy to shape and prune to fit any shape or style you desire. Wax myrtles should be spaced no less than five feet apart from each other and at least twenty feet away from the property line. It’s important to plant it at the spacing of the eventual spread of the hedge.
The common wax myrtle grows fifteen to twenty feet tall. Its glossy green leaves are one to three inches long and are approximately one-quarter to half an inch wide. The berries, which are one-eighth of an inch in diameter, are covered with a waxy coating. The female plants bear the berries, and the common variety grows five feet per growing season. It is an excellent choice for screening and privacy screens, especially in sunny environments.
Tri Color Willow
If you are looking for an unique plant for your privacy screen, consider the Tri Color Willow. This deciduous tree has a unique springtime show. In summer, the leaves turn a light whitish green, contrasting with the dark greens of other plant growth. In fall and winter, the leaves turn yellow and expose red twigs. In any season, the Tri Color Willow can serve as a beautiful screen for your home.
This small landscape tree can grow to over 15 feet tall. The dappled leaves turn yellow in fall, and the branches drop to reveal the beautiful coral-red stems. This plant is fast-growing, and it grows two to three feet a year. Its dense growth habit makes it ideal for privacy screen plantings. And, unlike many plants, it tolerates wet soil. You can also use the branches of this tree in seasonal floral arrangements.
The Tri Color Willow privacy screen trees are low-maintenance and versatile. They grow well in partial shade as well as full sun. The Tri Color Willow trees love moist soil. Soil that is too dry will result in a pale color and less robust growth. This plant is ideal for small suburban lots. They grow rapidly and can provide privacy screens up to 12 feet wide. You can plant multiple Tri Color Willow trees in your yard.