13 Fast-Growing Privacy Trees (2024)

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One of the best ways to create privacy in your yard is to plant privacy trees. Many different types of trees can provide privacy, and the best type for your property will depend on several factors, including your climate, soil type, and how much space you have.

The thirteen fast-growing privacy trees that we have listed below are perfect for quickly creating a secluded oasis, without waiting years for your trees to mature. These trees are also relatively low maintenance, so you can sit back and relax in your new private retreat without worrying about constantly pruning and caring for them.

Leyland Cypress

Leyland Cypress is one of the fastest-growing privacy trees, growing up to 2 feet per year. This tree can reach heights of up to 60 feet, making it one of the taller privacy trees on our list. Leyland cypress has a dense, upright growth habit and its dark green foliage makes it an attractive addition to any landscape. Leyland cypress is also tolerant of a wide range of conditions, so it's a great choice for those who live in varied climates.

Thuja Green Giant

Thuja Green Giant is another fast-growing evergreen perfect for creating a privacy screen. This tree grows quickly, averaging 2 to 3 feet per year and reaching heights of up to 40 feet. The Thuja Green Giant has a dense, pyramid-shaped growth habit and its bright green foliage is sure to add some pizzazz to your landscape.

Emerald Green Arborvitae

Emerald Green Arborvitae is a fast-growing evergreen that reaches heights of up to 10 to 15 feet. This tree has a beautiful emerald green color that makes it a great addition to any landscape.

American Sweetgum

The American sweetgum is a fast-growing deciduous tree that can add up to 3 feet per year to its height. It can reach heights of 60 to 80 feet and has a spreading, rounded canopy.

Hybrid Poplar

A hybrid poplar tree can grow up to 5 to 8 feet per year, making it one of the fastest-growing trees around. These tall, slender trees have a pyramidal shape and can reach heights of 50 feet or more.

White Pine

The white pine is a fast-growing evergreen tree that can add up to 3 to 5 feet per year to its height. It can reach heights of 80 feet or more and has a dense, conical growth habit.

Norway Spruce

The Norway spruce is a fast-growing evergreen tree that can add up to 2 to 3 feet per year to its height. It can reach heights of 80 to 100 feet or more and has a dense, pyramidal growth habit.

Norway spruce is also relatively drought-tolerant, so it's a good choice for those who live in dry climates.

Eastern Redcedar

The eastern redcedar is a fast-growing juniper that can add 2 to 3 feet per year to its height. It can reach heights of 40 to 60 feet and has a heavy, tapering growth habit that makes it perfect for privacy screens or windbreaks. It is also tolerant of a wide range of soils and conditions.

Willow Oak

The willow oak is another rapid-growing tree that grows up to 3 feet per year. This oak species can reach a height of 60 feet and has a stretching, round canopy.

Sugar Maple

The sugar maple is another fast-growing deciduous tree that can add up to 4 feet per year to its height. It can reach heights of 75 feet or more and has a spreading, rounded canopy.

White Pine

The white pine is a fast-growing evergreen tree that can grow up to 3 feet per year. It can reach heights of 80 feet or more and has a dense, conical growth habit. The tree has a straight trunk and long, thin branches that are covered in soft, needles.

Silver Maple

The silver maple is a fast-growing deciduous tree that can add up to 4 feet per year to its height. The silver maple flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge. The flowers are small and greenish yellow in color.

It can reach heights of 50 to 70 feet and has a broad, rounded canopy.

Virginia Pine

The Virginia Pine is a native of the eastern United States. It is a fast-growing evergreen that can reach heights of 50 feet or more. The cones of a Virginia pine are 3 to 6 inches long, oblong-shaped, and have sharp spines. They are often used as Christmas trees because of their symmetrical shape.

In Summary

If you are looking for a fast-growing privacy tree, then one of the trees on our list would be a great option for you. Choose one of these trees for your next privacy screen, and you will be sure to have a beautiful addition to your landscape.

These are just a few of the many fast-growing privacy trees available. When selecting a tree for your needs, consult with a local nursery or landscaper to find the best option for your area.

Do you have any tips or tricks that have worked well for you when planting privacy trees? Let us know in the comments below!

13 Fast-Growing Privacy Trees (2024)

FAQs

13 Fast-Growing Privacy Trees? ›

Hybrid Poplar

Hybrid poplars make excellent privacy trees for their fast growth and ease of maintenance. When they reach full maturity, these deciduous trees sit up to 50 ft. tall and produce an oval shape that does wonders for the visual interest in your yard's landscape.

What is the quickest growing tree for privacy? ›

Hybrid Poplar

Hybrid poplars make excellent privacy trees for their fast growth and ease of maintenance. When they reach full maturity, these deciduous trees sit up to 50 ft. tall and produce an oval shape that does wonders for the visual interest in your yard's landscape.

What is the best tree for blocking view? ›

Fast-Growing Privacy Trees to the Rescue
  • Leyland Cypress. ...
  • Spartan Juniper. ...
  • Sky Pencil Holly. ...
  • Green Giant Thuja (Arborvitae) ...
  • Emerald Green Thuja (Arborvitae) ...
  • Flowering Dogwood. ...
  • Weeping Podocarpus. ...
  • Goldspire Ginkgo. For privacy trees that are as beautiful as they are functional, try lining your yard with Goldspire Ginkgo.
Mar 15, 2024

What is the fastest growing plant for privacy? ›

If you need your privacy fast, how about the Green Giant Arborvitae which can grow three to five feet in one year. This shrub can grow to a mature height of 30-50 feet, but it tolerates shearing to keep it to the size you prefer.

What is the fastest growing privacy evergreen? ›

English laurel is one of the best and fastest-growing evergreen shrubs for privacy. It grows fast, up to 2-3 feet per year, and creates a large, dense screen. It can be pruned hard to increase density. It is strongly deer-resistant.

What is the best evergreen tree for privacy? ›

Evergreens like Arborvitae and Leyland Cypress are excellent for privacy, creating dense barriers that shelter birds. Holly varieties, with their dense foliage and berries, offer both privacy and a vital food source for birds during scarce winter months.

What is the best tree for year round privacy? ›

The most commonly requested evergreen for privacy plantings goes by a few names, commonly Arborvitae or Cedar. There are different varieties that have varying aesthetics and site preferences.

What plant grows tall and fast? ›

Hay-Scented Fern (dennstaedtia punctilobula)

For a plant that takes over large swaths of ground quickly, consider the hay-scented fern. This large, feathery variety grows to about 30 inches tall and 36 inches wide and can easily take over an area in two to three years.

How tall should privacy trees be? ›

Top Fast Growing Trees for Privacy Screens
Tree SpeciesHeight RangeGrowth Rate
Spartan Juniper15 to 20 feet tall1 to 2 feet per year
Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae50 to 60 feet tall3 to 5 feet per year
American Holly Tree15 to 20 feet tall1 to 2 feet per year
Eastern White Pine50 to 60 feet tall2 to 3 feet per year
3 more rows

How to choose privacy trees? ›

Fast-growing privacy trees will grow up to several feet each year, making them the best choice for quick privacy! Evergreen foliage: You need privacy all year round (deciduous trees may not be your best bet). Evergreen trees will retain their thick foliage no matter the season—meaning no gaps in your privacy.

How fast do privacy trees grow? ›

What are the fastest-growing trees for privacy? Hybrid poplar tops the list. It can grow upwards of five feet per year. The Leyland cypress, green giant arborvitae, and silver maple are all close seconds because they add about two feet to their height each year.

What is the fastest growing arborvitae tree? ›

The Green Giant Arborvitae is the most popular selling and fastest growing privacy evergreen. With disease and pest resistance and amazingly fast growth rates that can even exceed 5 feet per year you can't go wrong with this hardy tree.

What is the messiest tree? ›

Norway Maple

Their beauty aside, Norway maples are exceedingly messy trees and produce what must be millions of seeds each year. From these seeds come thousands of seedlings, and in certain parts of the U.S., they've become yet another invasive species, blocking out native plants and disrupting ecosystems.

How long does it take for privacy trees to grow? ›

Top Fast Growing Trees for Privacy Screens
Tree SpeciesHeight RangeGrowth Rate
Leyland Cypress40 to 50 feet tall2 feet per year
Spartan Juniper15 to 20 feet tall1 to 2 feet per year
Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae50 to 60 feet tall3 to 5 feet per year
American Holly Tree15 to 20 feet tall1 to 2 feet per year
3 more rows

Are privacy trees worth it? ›

If you plant privacy trees early, the value of your home will increase as they grow to maturity. Shade and privacy: A tree canopy is a convenient source of natural shade and, when combined with other trees, can create a dense privacy barrier.

What is the best tree to plant near a house? ›

To help narrow down your options, here are five expert-approved trees for planting near a house.
  • Dogwood. (Image credit: Getty Images) ...
  • 2. Japanese Maple. ...
  • Magnolia. ...
  • Crepe Myrtle. ...
  • Eastern Redbud. ...
  • Mulberry tree. ...
  • Norway maple. ...
  • Weeping willow.
Oct 1, 2023

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