Want to make your backyard look more beautiful and private? If so, adding privacy trees to your landscaping will help you achieve both. Privacy trees are aesthetically pleasing and work as great living fences, blocking your property from pollution, traffic noise, and nosy neighbors.
So if you’re looking for an eco-friendly solution to block unpleasant views, keep reading as we’ve rounded up the top 10 privacy trees ideal for living fences.
1. Emerald Green Arborvitae
Emerald Green Arborvitae is one of the top fast-growing trees that can make your property look more private without consuming too much space. This classic fence idea is sturdy and requires less upkeep 6 months after cultivating it.
It thrives in zones 3 to 8 and has an annual growth rate of 2 to 3 feet. Once mature, it grows up to 10 to 15 feet tall.
2. Holly Trees
Another natural fence alternative, Holly Trees, comes in 18 stunning varieties, making it popular with homeowners who wish to make their property look more private. If you don’t want outsiders to see through your property, Holly Trees is perfect since it has dense and tight foliage.
For instance, the Nellie Stevens Holly grows 10 feet a year and 20 to 30 feet tall once it matures.
3. Leyland Cypress
Looking for privacy trees with emerald foliage? Then, go for the Leyland Cypress. Block out unpleasant views with Leyland Cypress as it has a symmetrical form, ideal for living fences. You can plant them 6 feet apart to enjoy the constant shade and dense natural screen.
Also, it grows 3 to 4 feet a year and 60 to 70 feet tall at mature size.
4. Multiplex Bamboo
If you’re a fan of modern Asian-style homes, the Multiplex Bamboo can help achieve your desired look. This eco-friendly fence alternative will make your backyard more vibrant while giving you the privacy you deserve.
It has an annual growth rate of 10 feet and grows approximately 20 to 30 tall once mature. However, choose the clumping variety than the spreading to avoid invading your neighbor’s yard.
5. Sky Pencil Holly
Sky Pencil Holly is the perfect option for homeowners looking for privacy trees that require little space. It’s an ultimate space-saver ideal for zen or contemporary-style gardens. This privacy tree flourishes in zones 5 to 9 with an annual growth rate of 6 to 12 inches.
Once mature, Sky Pencil Holly can grow up to 6 to 8 feet tall, providing protection from noise, wind, and outsiders.
6. Spartan Juniper
If you’re in for low-maintenance yet durable fast-growing privacy trees, Spartan Juniper will not disappoint. It can withstand extreme cold, heat, drought, and even deicing salt.
Since Spartan Juniper has dense branches tightly attached to the trunk, it’s ideal for landscapes with enough space. It grows 1 to 2 feet a year and can reach 15 to 20 feet tall once mature.
7. Thuja Green Giant
The perfect eco-friendly fence that adds an excellent backdrop to your landscape, Thuja Green Giant grows 3 to 5 feet a year and 50 to 60 feet tall once mature. It has soft, feathery, and dark green foliage, making it ideal as traditional fencing.
What’s more? Deer don’t like Thuja’s foliage, and it’s pest and disease-resistant, so upkeep won’t be that troublesome.
8. Wax Myrtle
Meanwhile, small areas require a compact landscape solution. With Wax Myrtle, you can have both privacy and aesthetics. Planting Wax Myrtle in a row makes it perfect, as privacy hedging and shaping it will make your property look more exquisite.
Moreover, it has an annual growth rate of 3 to 5 feet and can reach about 20 to 25 feet high at mature size.
9. Weeping White Spruce
For a stylish and Christmassy look all year round, you can never go wrong with Weeping White Spruce. This magnificent privacy tree has blue-green foliage hanging downward, making it ideal as a natural fence. It has an average lifespan of 50 years and is a great vertical fence for small spaces.
Weeping White Spruce grow 1 to 2 feet a year and can reach 30 to 50 feet tall once mature.
10. Willow Hybrid
Known to withstand any climate or conditions, Willow Hybrid is one of the top fast-growing privacy trees since it’s disease-resistant. It has lush green foliage with upright branches, creating a thick privacy wall for your property.
Willow Hybrid has an average growth rate of 4 to 6 feet a year and reaches 30 to 40 feet tall at mature size. Also, it’s ideal for prone-flood areas as it thrives in swamps or excessively wet soils.