Selecting the Perfect Trees for Privacy Screens
When choosing trees to create a sense of privacy, be sure to check their mature height. Small trees might be less than 3 feet tall, hardly providing any seclusion, while others can reach heights of over 20 feet, overwhelming your space. If planting near a house or fence, it's equally important to consider the tree's canopy size and height.
Fast-growing evergreen trees are ideal for quickly filling in garden borders and providing year-round privacy.
1. American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
Native to North America, Arborvitae trees are fast-growing and dense, making them an excellent choice for privacy. Their evergreen foliage provides coverage all year round. They are easy to grow, and with many Arborvitae varieties available, you can find one that fits your home's dimensions. 'Holmstrup' reaches a height of 6 to 8 feet with a width of no more than 3 feet. 'Globosa' and 'Golden Globe' are more rounded varieties, reaching no more than 5 feet in both height and width (1.5-1.2 meters, respectively). Their spring leaves are a bright golden-yellow, turning a rich reddish-bronze in the fall.
2. Dappled Willow (Salix integra 'Hakuro-nishiki')
Dappled Willow is a fast-growing, visually appealing option that can be pruned to resemble a small tree. Its leaves emerge pink in spring, gradually fading to green and then white, while the branches retain a beautiful red hue, adding a touch of color to the winter landscape. You can prune Dappled Willow to be a small tree, about 4 to 6 feet tall, without it becoming too wide. It grows quickly and can provide privacy in tight spaces.
3. Golden Point Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
This Ginkgo tree is compact and dense, making it ideal for creating privacy. It can grow up to 20 feet tall but maintains a width of only about 4 feet. Ginkgo trees are unique for their fan-shaped leaves. 'Golden Point' leaves turn a bright yellow in the fall. It is suitable for hardiness zones 4-9. It thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil.
4. Columnar Japanese Cherry (Prunus 'Amanogawa')
Another tall yet slender tree is the Columnar Japanese Cherry. Cherry trees are prized for their delicate spring blossoms, but they can also serve as effective privacy screens. They grow quickly, adding more than 2 feet in height each year. When planted in a row, they quickly form a beautiful "living fence."
'Amanogawa' Japanese Cherry is suitable for full sun in zones 5-8. It can reach 30 feet in height but only 6-8 feet in width. In addition to its spring flowers, Columnar Japanese Cherry boasts lush green leaves in summer and vibrant fall color.
5. Sky Pencil Holly (Ilex crenata)
Sky Pencil Holly features slender, upright branches, resembling a pencil, making it suitable for smaller spaces. It is a small evergreen tree, reaching only six to eight feet in height, shorter than other holly varieties. Its growth habit is columnar with dense branches, providing excellent privacy. 'Sky Pencil' is a female variety, so a male holly tree nearby is needed if you desire berries. Even without berries, it makes an attractive privacy screen.
6. Hicks Yew (Taxus media 'Hicksii')
If you are patient with the growth process, Hicks Yew is an excellent choice for privacy. It is a small evergreen tree or shrub that grows slowly but can eventually reach 15 feet in height. Its slower growth rate allows you time to prune it to maintain a smaller size and desired shape. As an evergreen, it offers year-round privacy.
7. Redbud (Cercis spp.)
Redbuds are native small flowering trees with a wide variety of cultivars. You can even find smaller varieties that provide a compact and beautiful option for screening. The Weeping Redbud is an attractive variety suitable for zones 4-9, reaching a height of 10-15 feet.
The Western Redbud, native to California, is suitable for zones 6-9. It is similar in size to the Weeping Redbud. Redbuds named after horticulturist Don Egolf are particularly compact, reaching only 9 feet in height.
Tips for Creating a Private Yard
- Density: Plant in line with fences or walls, overlapping foliage to ensure seamless coverage.
- Pruning: Lightly prune in spring to maintain shape and control height.
- Sun and Soil: Most prefer full sun and well-drained soil; Ginkgo trees are somewhat shade-tolerant.
Plants are an excellent tool for enhancing privacy — whether in a garden or around the home. These dense trees and woody shrubs can grow quickly, even in smaller yards. They not only provide good privacy but also add visual interest to the garden.
