If you’re looking to improve the privacy of your property, you may consider planting a privacy tree. While evergreen trees are more attractive and provide year-round screening, deciduous trees are less attractive but can be effective as fences too. Before planting any type of tree, consider the height of the fence you want. Deciduous trees, on the other hand, do not provide the same level of privacy. For the height of your privacy fence, you can use a variety of evergreen trees.
Evergreens
When it comes to privacy fences, evergreens are an excellent option. There are several types to choose from, each with different characteristics. Some of the most common are listed below. Evergreen trees that grow at a medium pace are the leyland cypress and the hardy Amur maple. These are both excellent choices for privacy fences. While each tree has different benefits, they all have similar characteristics and are both great options for your property.
Before selecting your privacy fence, you’ll need to determine your USDA hardiness zone and determine which species can withstand your area’s cold winters. Decide what size privacy trees you want, as a small backyard might need a tall Italian Cypress, while a larger plot might need a wider Weeping Willow. Remember to space the trees well so that they grow well together. And don’t forget to prune them regularly.
Japanese maples are excellent for small spaces. Japanese maples grow upwards instead of outwards, and they are usually about 15 feet tall. Make sure to space them three feet apart, and plant them in full sun or partial shade. Once established, Japanese maples require a good deal of water. They should be watered at least twice a week, but only 1″ a week after three months. When you’re unsure what type of tree to choose, try Japanese maples.
Another good option for privacy screens is an evergreen hedge or screen. The dense, columnar structure of the hedge or screen makes it easy to plant close to the fence or as a vertical accent. Evergreen shrubs and trees planted in a border make a strong windbreak. If you’re worried about deer, consider the English laurel, which grows two to three feet a year. This plant is very deer resistant.
If you want to go for something a little more formal, you can try Arborvitae. This evergreen has a dense, towering appearance and is comparatively narrow. It requires less pruning than most other trees, and it will create an impenetrable wall of branches. Despite their size, it’s still hardy and requires little maintenance. It will block the view of your neighbor, but you may feel vulnerable to deer.
The Italian cypress is an elegant choice for a privacy hedge or screen. They fit in narrow places and are densely branched. This type of privacy hedge is a great choice for a privacy fence, and it’s also an excellent choice if you have an existing fence. Evergreens also offer privacy year-round. Although they might take a few years to grow to their full size, they’ll outlast many other privacy options.
Another popular choice for privacy trees is the arborvitae. These fast-growing trees grow up to 3 ft. (1 m) per year and create a natural sound barrier. Evergreen juniper, cypress, dwarf pine, and eastern arborvitae are all excellent choices for backyard privacy. They’ll add a lot to the landscape and will help protect your property from strong winds and noise.
Planting in raised planters
There are a variety of reasons to plant privacy trees in your garden. They can add curves to your garden, block noise, protect your landscape from harsh weather conditions, and improve the air quality of your yard. When choosing the right privacy tree for your garden, proper planning is essential. Avoiding potential problems is possible with proper planning. Consider some of the most common privacy tree options. Continue reading to learn about the benefits of privacy trees and how to plant them in raised planters.
To plant privacy trees, first, measure the distance between the ground surface and the base of the raised planter. The root ball of an arborvitae tree should be at least 1 inch deeper than the soil surface. Then, make sure that the root ball of each tree is at least 11 to 13 inches deep. You can divide this measurement by two to get the correct number. Then, divide the number by two to determine the number of trees to plant. If you have a small garden, divide the number by two, or three, depending on the space you have available.
When planning the placement of privacy trees in raised planters, consider the amount of sunlight and shade that your privacy tree will receive. Some types are more suitable for raised planters than others. For example, dwarf trees require less space to root, while slow-growing trees, like dogwoods and Japanese maples, will grow well in the planter. Make sure to consider how much light your privacy tree will receive before choosing the species to plant. If you live in a sunny area, choose a tree that gets a lot of sunlight. On the other hand, Japanese maples and dogwoods need light shade.
If you want privacy, you can choose a tree with prickly leaves. While the white pine is an excellent choice for privacy, it is not good for humid south climates. It does not tolerate cold, and can reach a height of 60 feet and a width of 30 feet. If you live in a temperate climate, you can choose one of the slow-growing varieties. While they are not the best choice for raised planters, they are tolerant of partial shade.
When planting privacy trees in raised planters, be sure to carefully plan the spacing between the trees. The spacing between the trees should be about half of their mature width. Planting too close will crowbar the plants around it, and can create a crowded, shady environment. Also, some cities have rules against obscuring a yard, so plan your planting around those rules. You can even install privacy trees in raised planters if you have extra space.
If you want privacy from neighbors, false cypress is an excellent choice. The foliage of this tree is bright green year-round. The false cypress is also a good choice for privacy, as the color varies widely from blue to golden. You can also try a leyland cypress, a warm-climate evergreen. It has a columnar shape and year-round color.
Care of privacy trees
While privacy trees may not require much care, they should be properly watered and pruned when necessary. Whether you choose to plant a small or large tree, privacy trees require sufficient sunlight and water. Most trees thrive in full to partial sunlight. They require similar watering needs to other plants in the area, so they should be planted alongside them. Also, keep in mind that privacy trees do best when planted with equally water-dependent plants.
If you want a low-maintenance privacy tree, you can choose a concolor fir. This evergreen has long, soft needles and a natural conical shape. White pines are ideal privacy trees because they are tolerant of city pollution, although they grow slowly. As a result, they aren’t the best choice for a hot, humid climate. Nonetheless, they have low maintenance requirements and are perfect for large properties.
If you choose a privacy tree, be sure to know the area where it will be planted before purchasing it. Knowing this makes it much easier to choose the right tree and plant it properly. Watering the privacy trees is also crucial, as they need a regular watering regimen. Remember to choose a plant that can stand the heat of the summer months. And as long as you know where the trees are going to be planted, they will thrive.
If you decide to plant a privacy tree, make sure to select a drought-resistant variety. The Goldspire Ginkgo is a good choice for a privacy tree fence. These trees grow to about 40 feet and can even tolerate some mild salt. They can grow to be quite tall, so you may not have to worry about them reaching the height that you desire. They can be pruned into a pyramid shape, however, and can be transplanted to another area of the garden.
Another option is a privacy hedge. The Hicks Yew is a cool-climate native shrub that makes a great privacy hedge. It has distinctive evergreen foliage and red berries. While some Taxus species are toxic to ingest, they’re good for hot and dry climates. If you’re considering this plant for your privacy fence, the best place to purchase it is on PlantingTree.
When choosing your privacy trees, consider their size. Generally, privacy trees grow taller than fences, so you’ll have to make sure you choose the appropriate size. Even if your yard is smaller than your fence, privacy trees will still add beauty and greenery to your yard. The best time to plant them is during the spring and summer when they bloom. However, remember to choose those with thick foliage. They also block wind and noise better than fences.
If you’re limited in space, look for plants that can be planted at irregular intervals. These fast-growing trees may not be the best choice for fences, as they grow at a rate of four to five feet a year. For full-blown enclosure, look for the Holly variety or Arborvitae. If you’re looking for a privacy fence in a small area, try planting a Sky Pencil Holly, North Pole Arborvitae, or Blue Arrow Juniper.