If you’re looking for a privacy tree that can grow up to six feet a year, there are some fast-growing options. Some of these trees are Leyland Cypress, Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae, and Spartan juniper. These fast-growing options are also great for privacy, as they provide excellent visual screening. If you’re wondering which one is the fastest growing, read on. There are pros and cons to each.
Hybrid poplar
If you are in the market for a fast-growing privacy tree, look no further than a hybrid poplar. These trees grow between five and eight feet per year, and can reach a mature height of 60 feet within six to seven years. Depending on their location and growing conditions, you can expect your new privacy tree to grow as fast as possible. You can even use fertilizers to increase growth rate, but this is often unwarranted.
This fast-growing tree can top fifty feet in just five years, and is a great choice for privacy screens. They have long, strong wood and are great for privacy and windbreak purposes. They grow best in partial or full sunlight, and need acidic soil for growth. Their triangular foliage is beautiful in any season, and they turn yellow-orange in the fall. They are a great choice if you want a fast-growing privacy tree, as they provide shade for the home as well as shade.
Hybrid poplars need little special attention, other than adequate water and sunlight. For best results, plant Hybrid poplars in full sun or partial shade. Mulch is recommended around the base of the tree. Natural mulches like bark, leaves, and hay decompose quickly, providing your soil with valuable nutrients. If you want to harvest the tree for biomass, make sure to cut off the tallest one.
Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae
If you’re planning to install a privacy fence, the best option is the Thuja Green Giant, which is the fastest growing evergreen on the market. Architects, landscapers, and municipalities use this fast-growing evergreen because it doesn’t suffer from any of the common diseases that affect other evergreens. It also grows rapidly and forms a dense privacy screen. Its fast growth makes it a great choice for privacy screens in homes and offices.
This fast-growing tree can live up to 40 years with proper care. While they are sensitive to cold, Thujas do not turn brown during the winter months. Because they are non-invasive and non-aggressive, they can grow in full sun or partial shade. However, they need at least four hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. To maximize their growth potential, water the tree regularly.
The Thuja Green Giant arborvitae is one of the fastest-growing privacy trees available in the market. It grows in a columnar shape and offers maximum privacy. The foliage is nearly opaque and enables it to be planted in single or double-staggered rows. Its low maintenance requires no pruning. And it can grow in even the coldest climates. A great option for privacy fences, this tree is perfect for homeowners looking for low-maintenance plants.
Leyland Cypress
The Leyland cypress is a cross between the Monterey cypress and the Nootka false cypress. This fast-growing tree is hardy in most soil conditions, including clay and moist soils, and its branches grow in dense clusters. Its foliage is a grayish green and it pairs well with other trees, including hybrid poplar. The Leyland cypress is also drought-tolerant, making it an excellent plant for privacy.
When planting a Leyland cypress tree, it is best to space them around fifteen feet apart. This way, they won’t be planted too close to one another, which may result in a problem later on. You should also water the tree four to ten gallons a week. You can gauge the water needs of the tree by checking its soil. After planting, be sure to keep the roots healthy and trimmed.
The Leyland cypress can grow up to twelve feet tall. However, if the soil in your area is not fertile enough for the growth of this fast-growing tree, you should prune it yearly in July. Prune it so that it has a leader about twelve inches high and a few inches below it. This will prevent significant upward growth and allow for vertical development of minor branches.
Spartan juniper
A fast-growing privacy tree, the Spartan juniper is the ideal choice for those with limited space and limited garden space. Spartan juniper is a tough and hardy tree that does not like a lot of wet soil. It can be planted in containers and requires a well-drained soil. You should plant them three feet apart for a tighter screen or five feet apart for a looser one.
The spartan juniper is one of those privacy trees that grows quickly and is excellent for defining property lines. It grows up to 15 feet tall and stays narrow, with a three to five-foot spread. Despite the fast growth rate, this tree needs an acidic or alkaline soil to thrive. It is not suited for hot climates, so plant it in an area that will get some sun and stay in the shade. This evergreen tree can be pruned to achieve a shapeless tree, but make sure not to get rid of its natural form.
The Spartan juniper is a fast-growing, low-maintenance tree with dense branches. Planting two or three rows of Spartan juniper will create a dense screen, keeping out winds and snow. These trees can be planted three to five feet apart, and can be clipped into spiral topiaries if desired. In most climates, the Spartan juniper will grow from fifteen feet to twenty feet tall, but they prefer full sunlight, but they do not mind partial shade.
Nellie Stevens Holly
If you’re looking for a fast-growing, drought-tolerant privacy tree, Nellie Stevens Holly might be the perfect choice. This fast-growing shrub needs very little pruning and thrives on neglect. Planting them in rows five to six feet apart will make them grow quickly and naturally form a natural fence. Nellie Stevens Holly grows at a rapid rate, reaching a height of 25 feet in just 10 years.
Nellie Stevens hollies are not ready to bloom until they are three to five years old, so you can expect a few years before you can enjoy its fragrant white blossoms. You can also expect red berries to ripen in winter. These trees can grow up to 100 years, but they are susceptible to diseases and pests. One common disease is chlorosis, which can lead to brown leaves and can be detected by the green veins on the leaves.
The Nellie Stevens is a popular choice for privacy. It will grow at a rapid rate, and you should plant it at least six feet apart so it won’t crowd your landscape. The holly will produce dense, red berries in winter. It needs four to eight hours of sunlight per day to produce berries. Nellie Stevens can grow up to 25 feet, and it will remain compact and dense despite the amount of sunlight it gets.
Japanese Holly
The fast-growing Japanese holly is a wonderful privacy tree that is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9. It grows well in full sun and can tolerate moderately dry soil. Its main taproot is shallow and fibrous, so it can tolerate dry soil. Planting a Japanese holly requires digging a hole twice the width of the container. Once it is planted, it should be lightly watered and then buried around the roots.
Pruning Japanese holly should be done in late winter or early spring, when new growth forms on the soft green wood. Older growth is brown. Pruning does not affect the tree’s growth, but it does promote faster filling-in and less tip burn. To prune, cut individual branches at leaf nodes and use a hedge trimmer to shear into the desired shape. A Japanese holly grows rapidly if it is properly pruned.
The Compact Japanese Holly is a fast-growing ornamental shrub with a dense, globular shape. For the best privacy screen, plant this tree where it receives six hours of direct sunlight each day. Cypress trees are also fast-growing privacy trees. But keep in mind that they need to be trimmed frequently or they will quickly turn into screens. Fortunately, some fast-growing privacy trees can be easily pruned to maintain their shape.
