Fast-growing trees like Leyland Cypress, Green Giant Arborvitae, and Hybrid Poplar provide quick, dense privacy screens. Ideal for blocking views, reducing noise, and adding greenery, these trees thrive in various climates.
Privacy is a key consideration for homeowners looking to create a peaceful, secluded outdoor space. Whether you want to block out nosy neighbors, shield your yard from strong winds, or create a green backdrop, fast-growing privacy trees offer a natural and aesthetically pleasing solution. Unlike fences, these trees improve air quality, provide shade, and attract wildlife.
Some privacy trees grow incredibly fast, adding several feet per year, while others take a bit more time to establish. Choosing the right tree depends on your climate, space availability, and soil conditions. Evergreens are popular for year-round coverage, while some deciduous varieties provide a lush screen in warmer months.
This guide covers 33 of the best fast-growing privacy trees, their growth rates, and detailed information on selecting, planting, and maintaining them for optimal results.
| Plant Type | Trees |
|---|---|
| Genus | Pinus, Populus, Thuja, Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree, Rhus, Salix, Quercus, Pittosporum, Juniperus, Acer, Betula, Magnolia, Camellia, Catalpa, Cupressus, Hydrangea |
| Characteristics | Showy |
For cold climates, select trees that can withstand freezing temperatures and heavy snow. Some excellent choices include:
If you want privacy and stunning foliage, consider these beautiful trees:
For privacy with the added benefit of fruit production, these trees are excellent choices:
Feijoa (Acca sellowiana): Also known as pineapple guava, this fast-growing evergreen shrub or small tree produces egg-shaped fruit with a tropical, fruit-salad flavor. Its edible crimson flowers add ornamental value.
Kumquat (Citrus japonica): A compact, bushy evergreen citrus tree that grows quickly and forms a dense hedge. Produces small, bright orange fruit with tart, edible skin, often used for marmalade or eaten fresh. Fragrant white flowers attract pollinators.
Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica): A fast-growing evergreen tree with dense foliage, ideal for privacy. Produces sweet, tangy orange fruits and fragrant white flowers in late fall and winter.
Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera): A fast-growing, tough, deciduous tree with dense branching that forms an effective windbreak or privacy screen. Produces large, inedible, green, bumpy fruit (commonly called hedge apples) and has thorns on some varieties.
These trees grow well in less-than-ideal soil conditions, making them ideal for tough landscapes:
Emerald cedar evergreen trees (Thuja occidentals ‘Smaragd’), provide year round privacy along a driveway.
| Plant Type | Trees |
|---|---|
| Genus | Pinus, Populus, Thuja, Prunus - Flowering Cherry Tree, Rhus, Salix, Quercus, Pittosporum, Juniperus, Acer, Betula, Magnolia, Camellia, Catalpa, Cupressus, Hydrangea |
| Characteristics | Showy |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!
