If you want a great tree that blocks views of your neighbors, then you must look for the best privacy trees. Here are a few recommendations: Emerald Green Thuja (Arborvitae), Nellie Stevens Holly, Hicks yew, and Chionanthus virginicus, also known as the Fringe Tree. Consider planting only the best privacy trees in your yard, and then enjoy the privacy and peace they bring.
Emerald Green Thuja (Arborvitae) is the best privacy tree
If you’re looking for a privacy tree that is drought tolerant once it is established, try the Emerald Green Thuja (Arborvita) for privacy. While it needs ample water during the establishment phase, this tree is tolerant of standing water for short periods in winter. Emerald Green Arborvitae prefers well-drained soil with plenty of sunshine, but they will tolerate some shade if needed. The tree is easy to maintain and is disease-free.
The Emerald Green Thuja is a slow-growing tree that grows to be 3-4 feet tall and wide. It is the most popular privacy screen tree for medium-sized yards. Because it is an evergreen hedge, it doesn’t get as tall as Leyland Cypress or Thuja Green Giant. The foliage of this tree is dense and glossy, making it very low-maintenance. The plant is also resistant to climate changes and requires little pruning.
The Arborvitae family includes many species of bushes and trees. There are three main types of Arborvitae, the Green Giant, the Golden Globe, and the Emerald Green. Each one has its own strengths and weaknesses, but the two-toned “North Pole” is the fastest growing, and can grow up to 50 feet in height. This variety will survive in clay or sandy soil, and is resistant to heavy ice and snow. Its foliage is glossy and dark green in all seasons.
The Emerald Green Thuja is a semi-dwarf form of the Eastern White Cedar, with a scientific name of Thuja occidentalis. The Emerald Green Thuja is a popular choice among privacy seekers, as it slows growth up to 1 foot a year and grows nearly straight up. As a privacy tree, the Emerald Green Thuja Arborvitae requires light pruning only once a year.
Nellie Stevens Holly
The Nellie Stevens Holly tree is an excellent choice for privacy. This medium-growing tree grows about 1 to 2 feet per year. You can plant two Nellie Stevens Holly trees in a row or space them five to six feet apart. These plants form a pyramidal shape when planted alone and make excellent specimen trees. They are pest-resistant and drought-resistant and do not require regular pruning. They can be planted in single rows and do not require trellising.
The leaves of the Nellie Stevens Holly are dark green and glossy. In fall and winter, this tree produces bright red berries. This tree does not require pollination from a male tree and grows to between 25 and 35 feet in height. This plant is ideal for growing in living walls because it can be planted six feet apart, allowing it to fill a large space without crowding. Nellie Stevens Holly for privacy makes a beautiful plant that also offers privacy to the surrounding area.
This evergreen will grow to around three feet in a year, depending on the conditions. It will make a perfect privacy screen or accent foliage in a linear garden. It is hardy and needs a sunny position, but it can also tolerate some shade. Nellie Stevens hollies grow at a similar rate in full shade and part shade. The best place for this plant is the part of your yard that gets filtered light, and make sure it gets enough water.
When growing Nellie Stevens holly for privacy, it is important to consider your climate before planting. These bushes can grow in USDA hardiness zones six through nine. They can tolerate some drought, but they are best in partial shade, as they do not tolerate full sunlight. The Nellie Stevens holly tree prefers a slightly acidic soil. They require weekly watering to stay healthy, but they can also survive in areas that experience drought.
Hicks yew
A Hicks yew is an elegant and versatile hedge. Although it needs pruning every year, it will come back with lush, green foliage. It is also fairly drought-tolerant. A yew can grow in any soil and tolerates a moderate amount of shade. They will grow in full sun but prefer partial shade and avoid standing water. A Hicks yew is a good choice for areas where privacy is important.
A Hicks yew is a relatively low-maintenance privacy tree that can be planted in any area. Despite its slow growth rate, it requires annual pruning. For best results, plant Hicks yews in a well-drained location with good drainage. Its slow growth makes it ideal for shaped borders and hedges. It will also require very little maintenance.
A hedge, Hicks yews are highly effective at dividing a space. They grow very slowly, reaching only ten to twelve feet tall and three to four feet wide. Because they are poisonous, you should be careful if you plant them near power lines or electrical wires. They can also be used to make a short decorative hedge. Although they are prone to poisoning, most gardeners do not worry about them.
A hedge is an important part of privacy and can add a lot of aesthetic value to a yard. A hedge made of Hicks yew will create a thick, lush canopy and block the view of any unsightly neighbor. If you live in a cold climate, you can use the hedge to add color and privacy. It grows six to eight inches per year and responds well to pruning.
Chionanthus virginicus (Fringe Tree)
The best Chionanthus virginicus (FRINGE TREE) for privacy will provide your yard with natural screening and an elaborate spring display. This native tree, native to Missouri, produces clusters of small, pearl-white flowers. Its round form is enhanced by large, olive-like fruits in late summer. The fruit provides tasty meals for birds. Leaves are 8-inches long and become ridged with age.
The Chionanthus virginicus, also known as the fringetree, is a small tree that isn’t widely planted in home landscapes. The tree isn’t as well-known as dogwood, so it’s less likely to be sold at local nurseries. But it’s worth mentioning that fringetrees are often included in landscapes at botanical gardens and arboretariums. Its foliage and flowers are a delightful focal point. Plus, it’s winter-hardy, disease-free, and attractive.
A Chionanthus virginicus (FRINGE TREE) is an evergreen tree that provides privacy to your yard while providing some beauty to your yard. The tree’s ethereal, spring bloom is one of the most attractive things about this mid-sized landscape tree. It’s also one of the most fragrant plants in the world, with a lilac-like smell. The Chionanthus virginicus is native to the southeastern United States.
The Chionanthus virginicus (FRINGE TREE) is an adaptable tree to most soil types, but it prefers moist, acidic soil. It has white-yellow flowers that can be seen from below. The foliage is also yellow in the fall and is attractive against many evergreens and viburnums. The Chionanthus virginicus (FRINGE TREE) is low-maintenance and does well in USDA plant hardiness zones 4 to nine. It can be grown in full sun to part-shade.
Burkwood viburnum
If you want to make your backyard more private, consider a Burkwood viburnum as your privacy tree. This shrub forms a multi-stemmed shrub, growing from eight to ten feet tall and six to eight feet wide. The leaves are dark green and slightly gray-green underneath, and the flowers are a fragrant white to pink. They bloom early in the spring, and their clusters of tiny flowers last about two weeks. At maturity, the plants are evergreen and require little maintenance. Once established, prune the burkwood viburnum to shape it properly and ideally, leave it alone.
The Burkwood Viburnum is a hardy, low-maintenance shrub that is great for full or partial sun. It’s formal enough for the front yard, yet ornamental enough for a backyard entertainment area. It can tie the look together of a space, and it rarely needs trimming. If you want to make the most of its privacy, plant it in a mass planting or staggered pattern. In warmer climates, it becomes an evergreen shrub.
This tree has a tolerant climate. It grows well in zones four to eight, and is evergreen in the southern half of its range. It grows in any soil, from shady to acid, and thrives in poor urban soil. Another bonus? It’s drought-resistant. And it’s a great choice for privacy trees. If you want privacy without the invasive look of a large tree, the Burkwood viburnum is one of the best options.
The burkwood viburnum has a powerful spring scent. Its flowers are pale pink to white, and bloom on bare branches. The fragrant flowers of this shrub fill a spring garden with a wonderful aroma. Its foliage is dense and compact, and it can be used as an informal hedge or foundation planting. It will grow to about 3 feet tall. So, whether you want to make a hedge or simply want privacy, this plant is a great choice.