There are several great trees for privacy fences. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most popular ones, including arborvitae, Leyland cypress, Spartan juniper, Ginkgo biloba ‘Goldspire’, and others. You can choose from any of these to cover your privacy fence. Once you decide which trees you want, you’ll have a clear idea of what type of privacy fence you’re building.
Arborvitae
When selecting the right trees for a privacy fence, consider the size of the area. If you plan to plant your screen along the property line, make sure that it won’t intrude on your neighbor’s property. Also, keep in mind the width of the mature plants to determine their spacing between each other. Remember that a mature plant may have large gaps between leaves, but these will fill in with age.
There are several different varieties of Arborvitae. Pyramid-shaped arborvitae are the fastest-growing, reaching mature heights of 50-60 feet. They can grow in clay and sandy soils and will withstand heavy ice and snowfall. Their foliage remains a glossy dark green throughout the year. There are also two-toned arborvitae, which has a narrow pyramidal shape. They grow 30 feet or more in height, but are only eight to twelve feet at their base. Growth rate is approximately 1 foot per year.
Another popular choice for a privacy fence is the green Giant Arborvitae. This species is fast-growing and disease-resistant. When spaced correctly, they form dense privacy screens, which will enclose your property. If you’d like a privacy fence that won’t block the view of a neighbor’s property, try the Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae. The foliage is thick and provides rich green color throughout the year.
When choosing an arborvitae, make sure to choose a plant with a root ball level with the ground. A tree with a root ball of 11 to 13 inches is ideal. You’ll want to make sure the root ball of the tree is about 2 inches wide and about two inches deep. You can even use a soil conditioner or compost in the pot to retain moisture and prevent the soil from drying out too quickly.
Leyland cypress
If you’re looking for a fast-growing, dense living wall, consider planting a Leyland cypress privacy fence. This fast-growing evergreen grows up to 50 feet in a single year. Plant Leyland cypress in full sun and well-drained soil. It can tolerate salt spray and partial shade. Despite its fast growth, Leyland cypress requires very little maintenance. It’s also hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 6-10.
When you choose Leyland cypress for a privacy fence, it’s important to consider how to prune it. It’s important to keep a minimum of six inches (15 cm) of height between each tree. Leyland cypress trees grow rapidly, up to 4 feet a year in poor soil. Because the trees are shallow-rooted, pruning is required every year or two. However, be careful not to prune too heavily during wet weather, as too much pruning could lead to disease and poor growth.
Leyland cypress trees are drought-resistant and require little water. Ideally, you should give them an inch of water each week. In areas where the weather is dry, irrigation systems may be beneficial. In addition, pruning should be performed in the winter when the tree is dormant. Pruning should remove any dead wood and trim the trees to a manageable size. A few inches of pruning a year is required to maintain the shape and size of your Leyland cypress privacy fence.
Another popular option for privacy fences is a Leyland cypress. It can reach 30 feet tall and grows quickly. If planted properly, it will form a privacy fence as quickly as Leyland cypress. The foliage changes color throughout the year and the limbs are thicker and more durable than Leyland cypress. The height and width of Leyland cypress are important factors when planting a Leyland cypress privacy fence.
Spartan juniper
Spartan juniper is a stunning evergreen with a conical growth habit and dense, dark green foliage. This low-maintenance tree matures to fifteen feet tall and five feet wide and is a perfect privacy fence plant. It tolerates extreme temperatures and drought and grows quickly. It also tolerates most soils as long as they are well-drained.
A fast-growing evergreen, the Spartan juniper is great for defining property lines. Its shallow root system makes it resistant to hot summers, and its foliage is compact and dark green. This tree is hardy in most parts of the United States and does well in medium-sized yards. It can tolerate drought, and pruning will not affect the shape.
Spartan juniper requires little water and prefers a balanced fertilizer twice a year. This low-maintenance tree does not tolerate heavy pruning, so it’s best to plant several Spartan junipers every four feet. This tree can also be clipped into spiral topiaries, which can add a beautiful touch to your garden.
Whether you want a natural or formal fence, Spartan juniper is an excellent choice. It’s pyramidal and provides a dense foliage wall at the base of the tree. The spartan juniper also lets sunlight into the yard. This tree makes an excellent privacy fence! There’s nothing more appealing than a well-placed Spartan juniper.
The spartan juniper grows into a pyramid-shaped top with a graceful waving top. When it grows well, it can reach four feet tall and maintain its pyramid-like shape with no pruning. An equally beautiful tree is the Emerald green arborvitae. It can be sheared straight across to form a strict hedge, but it may have trouble keeping its form.
Ginkgo biloba ‘Goldspire’
Goldspire Ginkgo trees are a great choice for your privacy fence. These drought-tolerant trees are hardy and thrive in moderately salty areas. They grow up to 40 feet tall, have a pyramid shape, and have deep green foliage in the summer, with golden yellow fall foliage. These trees also produce a pungent, odorous fruit, so they may not be suitable for everyone.
However, Goldspire ginkgo trees are susceptible to root rot and pest infestations. Make sure to pay special attention to the soil in which you plant these trees. Ensure that it drains well, as a poor drainage will cause the tree to suffer from rotting. Goldspire ginkgo trees are versatile and can be used as a hedge or specimen tree.
The Goldspire variety is a non-fruiting male cultivar of Ginkgo biloba, which produces leaves that turn a brilliant golden yellow in autumn. The golden leaves will eventually fall to the ground, adding a splash of color to your yard. These trees can grow to be as tall as 20 feet, but they can also be kept small artificially with special pruners or pruning tools.
The Goldspire Ginkgo is easy to grow in zones four through nine. It can reach up to 16 feet tall and six feet wide, but is not as wide as a mature Ginkgo. It grows slow but is easy to manage and needs only a light pruning in the first three years. Its white flower bracts are beautiful and the tree grows over a foot per year.
Concolor fir
If you are looking for a low-maintenance evergreen that will provide privacy and windbreak, consider using a concolor fir for your fence. This slow-growing tree is best grown in groups. While this species has similar characteristics to its cousin, the White Pine, it is also resistant to drought and disease. It can grow to be up to 80 feet tall and twenty to twenty-five feet wide when mature. It also requires little to no pruning.
Concolor fir is a medium-growing evergreen. The needles are about 11/2 inches long and are located on the top of the stem. The trees’ needles have a citrus-like aroma. Because concolor fir trees do not shed their needles, they last 10 years or longer. They are often grown alongside Douglas Fir and Colorado spruce. Their twisted, silver-like foliage is also a natural choice for privacy fences, as it can easily grow to be as tall as 100 feet.
Another great choice for a fence is a Concolor fir. This evergreen tree has bluish needles and is resistant to many environmental factors, including heat and heavily polluted areas. While this type of tree takes longer to grow, it will be well worth the wait. In addition, this type of tree can withstand harsh winters and is very hardy. Its moderate growth rate makes it an excellent choice for large properties.
While the concolor fir is widely available throughout the US, it does not do well in poor soils and is often planted as a windbreak in the west. It does well in areas that have a higher PH level and has a low water table, although it may not be a perfect match for all climates. A concolor fir fence can provide privacy without compromising the aesthetics of the property, and it can be an excellent investment.