When landscaping for privacy, there are several choices. These include Goldspire Ginkgo, Leyland Cypress, Green Giant Arborvitae, and Weeping Podocarpus. These are all good choices because of their privacy-preserving qualities and low-maintenance maintenance. However, if you’re looking for a particular tree, it’s worth checking out other options as well. There are some specific benefits of these trees.
Goldspire Ginkgo
The Goldspire Ginkgo tree is a very drought-tolerant and smog-resistant tree. Its pyramidal shape and deep green foliage make it a great choice for privacy. These trees grow to around 40 to 60 feet tall. They are also drought-tolerant and tolerate mildly salty soil. In the garden, they do well in medium-sized gardens. They are smog-resistant and drought-resistant, and they require full sun to thrive.
This tree is widely available in garden centers and nurseries. This species is easy to grow in USDA zones four to nine. Its height and width are similar to those of other types of ginkgo trees. Plant it in moist but well-drained soil and keep it pruned lightly for the first three to five years. This ginkgo produces large pure white flower bracts. It grows at a rate of about a foot a year and is a great choice for privacy.
The Sky Pencil Holly has narrow, dense leaves and is often grouped with broadleaf evergreen shrubs. This tree is prized for its small, tightly packed leaves. It grows up to 25 feet tall and is the perfect plant for a small yard. They grow 6 to 9 inches a year. They require a well-drained soil, and spaced at least two feet apart.
Leyland Cypress
If you are looking for a quick screen and privacy, you may want to plant a Leyland Cypress. This fast-growing conifer can reach a height of 12 feet in just a few years. It can be allowed to grow to full size or pruned into a small specimen. This tree features flat needles and a pyramidal shape, which makes it an excellent choice for privacy. However, the Leyland Cypress is susceptible to canker and should be pruned frequently to maintain a 12-foot height.
The best trees for privacy are those that are low-maintenance and hardy. Leyland Cypresses are a great choice because they are low-maintenance and grow uniformly. They need only partial or full sun and soil that drains well. However, they can be susceptible to disease and drought damage. Because of their large root balls, it’s advisable to avoid installing too many of these trees at a time.
The Leyland Cypress is one of the most popular trees for privacy. This fast-growing tree can create a privacy screen in a few years. It is moderately drought-resistant and can tolerate a wide range of soil and sunlight conditions. They are also great for privacy. The conical shape of this tree makes it a popular choice for privacy. While the Leyland Cypress is a fast-growing tree, it should not be overgrown.
Green Giant Arborvitae
This fast-growing tree is one of the best choices for those looking for a high-quality privacy hedge. Its dense habit and low canopy can help block out unwanted views and create privacy. Green Giant Arborvitae has a cedar-like scent and can withstand ice and snow better than other Arborvitae. You can plant this tree in groups of five to six, spaced five to six feet apart.
This fast-growing privacy tree is hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit and can grow in various climates. The growth rate is consistent each year, and it matures in about five years. The fast growth rate means it requires minimal pruning to achieve its mature size. Trimming it periodically is an option for a French Renaissance look, or leave it untamed for a more natural look.
Another fast-growing tree is Emerald Green Arborvitae, commonly known as white cedar. Its pyramidal growth habit makes it perfect for small spaces and doesn’t require pruning. This tree will add structure to an informal or formal garden and looks great in almost any environment. Arborvitae are tolerant of urban conditions. Their foliage is bright green and appears in vertical fan-like sprays. They will add privacy and beauty to any area of the yard.
When it comes to planting a privacy hedge, consider this tree. This evergreen conifer can grow up to 60 feet tall, and its foliage is feathery and soft. Its foliage produces bright green needles on upward-curving branches. It is susceptible to canker, so if you live in a climate where it can’t grow as big as Leyland cypress, Green Giant arborvitae is a great alternative.
Weeping Podocarpus
Weeping Podocarpus is an excellent choice for those looking for privacy in a garden or backyard. These fast-growing trees grow to a height of 20 to 35 feet and are suitable for areas that are not as cold as Zone 9A. However, they are best planted in a semitropical area where they get full sun, but will grow well in part shade, too. This fast-growing tree doesn’t require regular trimming, so the lower branches should be left intact.
Podocarpus trees are easy to cut, making them ideal for a privacy screen. They are also commonly used for boxwood pruning. These evergreen trees grow in moist, well-drained soil and have dense foliage. The Weeping Podocarpus is a great choice because of its durability. It thrives in coastal areas, and can endure significant droughts. It can withstand significant heat, and requires fertilization three to four times a year. Because of its low maintenance and ease of care, the Weeping Podocarpus is perfect for privacy.
This woody shrub has beautiful weeping branches and a weeping appearance. Young branches are soft and green, but the mature ones are dark green and have a slight weeping effect. The leaves of Podocarpus are edible, and their cones are slightly poisonous. They grow in the wild in tropical areas, but they have the added advantage of being resistant to pests.
Blue Ice Arizona Cypress
The Blue Ice Arizona Cypress, or the ‘Blue Ice’ cypress, is a striking specimen tree that stands out in the landscape. Its striking, blue-gray foliage and reddish bark are attractive and striking, and the cypress grows at a fast rate – 12 inches per year! Despite its striking appearance, this tree is also very easy to grow and clip, making it a great choice for a privacy screen or windbreak.
The Blue Ice Arizona Cypress is a fast-growing, easy-to-grow tree. It grows 2 1/2 to 3 feet per year and will reach a mature height of 30 feet. The Blue Ice variety can be planted five feet apart, but be sure to give them sufficient space. Watering your Blue Ice Cypress will help its growth rate. It will need two to three gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter every week.
The Blue Ice Arizona Cypress has a low water requirement and thrives in zones six through nine. Although it is not hardy in zones 10, it can tolerate drought in certain locations. The tree prefers partial shade, but will tolerate full sun if properly planted. Its bark is flaky and varies from gray to reddish purple. The Blue Ice Arizona Cypress grows well in any well-drained soil.
Norway Spruce
If you’re looking for an elegant tree to grow in front of your home, Norway Spruce is a good choice. These trees can grow up to 1,000 feet in length and are deer resistant in the Hudson Valley. If you’re planting them next to your property line, make sure they’re spaced at least 10 feet apart. Spacing the trees this far apart will help them resist wind forces and make them easier to maintain.
When young, Norway spruce grows at a rate of 3 feet per year. Once mature, the tree is large and will block unsightly views. It tolerates partial shade. If you’re planting this tree next to an open field or wooded area, plant it partly above the ground and cover it with organic soil. This way, you’ll get the full benefit of privacy without the need to install a fence.
If you’re planning to plant Norway spruce in front of your home, choose a species with dense branches. It’s a fast-growing evergreen that can reach up to fifty feet in height. Because of its dense branch structure, the Norway spruce blocks out wind and your neighbors. The resulting privacy screen is a beautiful landscape feature that will last for many years. In addition to privacy, you can also use it as a windscreen and a traditional showpiece.