If you’re looking to plant a tree in your backyard, you’ve probably got a lot of choices. If you want to make the most of your space, look for species with high privacy. Consider Eastern Redcedar, Leyland Cypress, Japanese maples, American holly, or elms, or a combination of these. These are all excellent choices for backyard privacy, but you should also think about the climate and location before making your final decision.
Leyland Cypress
If you’re looking for a fast-growing tree that’ll provide privacy, consider the Leyland Cypress. Despite their name, Leyland Cypress are relatively fast-growing. That means you can expect your privacy to last for many years, even after pruning them frequently. However, this fast-growing characteristic can also mean that you have to deal with pests and diseases. This article will give you some tips on how to choose the right tree for your backyard.
A Leyland Cypress tree is a fast-growing, easy-to-maintain, drought-tolerant tree that will provide a privacy screen for your backyard. Leyland Cypress trees will reach true privacy within five years of planting. You should remember to plant Leyland Cypress saplings four to five feet apart to allow for growth. After planting, you will need to prune the trees to maintain their desired height and width. Keep in mind that Leyland Cypress will grow between three to five feet a year.
Leyland Cypress trees are fast-growing evergreen trees with a pyramidal shape. These trees are great for backyard privacy, border shade, and Christmas tree decorations. Plant Leyland cypress trees during their dormancy in fall, about six weeks before the first frost. This tree also tolerates pruning well. Pruning can help you keep your privacy screen or Christmas tree in shape, so be sure to take this into account.
Despite the adaptability of Leyland cypress trees, they are susceptible to some diseases. Some of these include cankers, needle blight, and root rot. Regardless of how hardy a Leyland cypress tree is, it needs a moderate amount of water to stay healthy. The best way to water Leyland Cypress trees for backyard privacy is to water them regularly, about 1 inch a week. Alternatively, you can pour water at the base of the tree and water the entire tree.
Eastern Redcedar
If you want your yard to have some privacy, you may consider planting Eastern Redcedar trees. This native tree is an excellent choice for backyard privacy, although it can be a nuisance if it crowds out other species. However, there are three main advantages to this tree. Its heartwood is resistant to decay, it grows well in a wide variety of soil conditions, and it provides valuable shelter and food for wildlife.
Despite its common name, Eastern Redcedar is a type of juniper. In fact, its botanical name is Juniperus virginiana. However, true cedars are not native to the United States, and some sources do not treat them as such. As a result, choosing between the two varieties for backyard privacy will help you to achieve the best combination of both species. Also, keep in mind that some nursery staff prefer cultivars, which may have specific characteristics that will enhance your landscape.
There are several cultivars of Eastern Redcedar. ‘Emerald Sentinel’ is a female cultivar that produces a great number of fruits. The tree will grow to about 25 feet tall and 8 feet wide and has dense foliage. Unlike some species, ‘Emerald Sentinel’ will retain its dark green color throughout winter. This selection was named “Gold Medal” by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for its hardiness and vigor.
While eastern redcedar does not suffer from many pests and diseases, it is susceptible to bagworms and scale insects. You should kill any swarms of these insects before their eggs hatch. Bagworms, which live in the woody parts of the tree, will eventually lay eggs and develop into grubs, so be sure to kill them before they hatch. In case you’re not sure about the species, you can pick ‘Burkii’, a non-flowering male cultivar. This cultivar is known for its narrow pyramid shape. ‘Burkii’ has resistance to cedar-apple rust, a pathogen that affects apple trees.
Japanese maples
If you’d like a privacy fence in your backyard, consider growing Japanese maples. These trees thrive in woodland understory areas and grow best in partial shade. Although they may be expensive to purchase, they’re easy to propagate. You can even take cuttings of a tree you’ve already grown, and propagate it yourself. Just make sure to keep your tree firmly staked during its first year of growth.
When planting your trees, remember that their growth rate is slow to moderate. They will grow slowly, but can grow spectacular specimens over time. If you’re concerned about the height of your Japanese maples, try to plant them in an area where they’ll grow happily. Planting older maples will help them achieve a more established look sooner. However, if you’re concerned about a certain height, you can plant cultivars that grow quickly.
As a bonus, Japanese maples don’t suffer from many insect problems. Although they don’t have deep roots, they do suffer from leaf spots and verticillium wilt. If you’d like your Japanese maples to provide privacy and shade, consider planting a tree in a shady corner. You can choose a Japanese maple that’s a bit smaller than your existing trees to get the privacy you want.
Aside from being beautiful and useful, Japanese maples also protect your home from the elements and add beauty to your landscape. There are many varieties of this beautiful tree, and they are known for their dramatic effects in gardens. The Japanese maple Bloodgood, Sango-Kaku, and Viridis are popular choices. Their graceful branching structure and vivid color will make your home look balanced. You can even choose to plant Japanese maples right next to your house to protect them from drying winter winds.
American holly
If you want to plant an aesthetically pleasing tree in your yard, consider an American holly. These trees grow well in most soils, including alkaline and slightly acidic soils. They are low maintenance, and require minimal pruning. They are versatile and adaptable, but you should remove any diseased or damaged branches to maintain their healthy appearance. These trees also tolerate windy conditions and can even be trained to grow into bird feeders. Holly trees are attractive and can be used for indoor arrangements and bird feeders. They also require partial afternoon shade, but not too much.
To create privacy and seclusion, plant two to three American holly trees. Topal hollies have thorns and are more difficult to prune. Choose a holly with a rounded pyramidal shape, as to avoid the threat of deer browsing through your yard. The dragon lady holly grows to 10 feet tall and four feet wide, and has a spine-free appearance. Both types are excellent choices for a smaller backyard.
American holly grows slowly, 40 to 100 feet tall. Its leaves are not as glossy as the English variety. Depending on the species, American holly berries can range from orange to red. This shrub is resistant to oak root fungus and a great choice for privacy. It can also serve as a beautiful backdrop for a flower garden, with its clusters of berries lasting about two weeks.
Nellie Stevens Holly is another excellent choice for backyard privacy. These trees can grow in a single row or as stand-alone specimens. They are easy to care for, with minimal pruning. Plant them 5 to six feet apart. They can be grown close together for added privacy and screening. They don’t look overbearing, so you can get them in close proximity. The Nellie Stevens Holly is particularly adapted to dry conditions.
Lawson cypress
If you’re looking to create a more private backyard, Lawson cypress trees are a great option. These trees grow quickly and can provide privacy in as little as a year. With modern breeding techniques, you can get a fast-growing tree and still enjoy its privacy. The leyland cypress can reach heights of four feet within a year. These trees are also an excellent choice for small yards.
Lawson cypress trees are native to the Pacific Northwest and are a great choice for backyard privacy. They grow quickly and can be narrow enough for urban spaces. This native species of cypress can be adapted to the Pacific Northwest climate and sheds snow easily. It also looks great in winter rain. So, if you’re looking for a fast screening tree for your backyard, look no further than the Lawson cypress.
This tree is a good choice for urban settings and can reach 40 feet tall with a 20-foot spread. However, there are also smaller cultivars of Lawson cypress that are more compact. Another privacy tree is false cypress, which grows up to six feet tall. This tree has a feathery appearance and can be a great choice for backyard privacy. It’s also hardy in US zones three through eight, so you can plant it in an urban environment without fear of it growing into a giant.
If you’re looking to plant a large-sized tree in your backyard, Lawson cypress is a good choice. They grow several feet a year and can provide privacy for your backyard. These trees are also hardy and are not susceptible to pests and diseases. However, they may be a bit too dense. To get the most out of them, consider planting them as a hedge.