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A good backyard feels peaceful and secluded—but that’s hard to enjoy when you’re dealing with street noise, neighbors, or nearby buildings. That’s where privacy trees come in. With the right trees, you can block views, reduce sound, and add beauty and shade to your outdoor space.
The best privacy trees are fast-growing, dense, and low-maintenance once established.
Whether you want evergreens for year-round coverage or something tall and leafy for summer months, this list has you covered.
1. Arborvitae (Thuja ‘Green Giant’)
One of the most popular trees for privacy, arborvitae grows tall, full, and fast. It has soft, feathery foliage and forms a dense green wall when planted in a row.
Why this works
‘Green Giant’ arborvitae can grow 3–5 feet per year and stays evergreen all year long.
Quick Tip
Space trees 5–6 feet apart for a solid screen within a few years.
2. Leyland Cypress
Leyland cypress trees are known for fast growth and dense, gray-green foliage. They grow upright and provide a tidy, formal look.
Why this works
These trees grow up to 4 feet a year and can reach 40–60 feet tall—ideal for tall barriers.
Quick Tip
Keep them trimmed if you want to manage height or shape.
3. Eastern Redcedar
A tough native tree with scale-like leaves and a pyramidal shape, Eastern redcedar is hardy and drought-resistant.
Why this works
It creates a thick privacy screen and also attracts birds with its small blue berries.
Quick Tip
Plant it in full sun—it tolerates poor soil but needs space to spread.
4. American Holly
If you want something evergreen with visual interest, American holly adds year-round coverage plus glossy leaves and bright red berries.
Why this works
It grows thick and upright, creating natural privacy with a bit of seasonal charm.
Quick Tip
Plant both male and female trees to get berries and a fuller screen.
5. Emerald Green Arborvitae
A smaller, slower-growing cousin of the ‘Green Giant,’ Emerald Green arborvitae is perfect for small yards or narrow spaces.
Why this works
It grows into a neat column shape and provides privacy without taking up too much room.
Quick Tip
Best for zones 3–8, and thrives in full to partial sun.
6. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)
Bamboo grows fast and forms thick screens quickly—just make sure to choose clumping types to avoid unwanted spreading.
Why this works
It grows tall, fast, and dense, making it ideal for instant privacy in small areas.
Quick Tip
Avoid running bamboo unless you plan to use a root barrier.
7. Nellie Stevens Holly
This hybrid holly is a favorite for privacy screens. It grows fast, has dense foliage, and tolerates a variety of soils.
Why this works
It reaches 20–25 feet tall and stays lush and green all year long.
Quick Tip
Prune annually to keep the shape tight and tidy.
8. Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
European hornbeam is a deciduous tree with dense branching and a tall, narrow shape. When pruned into a hedge, it creates a solid wall of greenery.
Why this works
Even without leaves in winter, its thick twiggy structure keeps some privacy intact.
Quick Tip
Plant closely and shear annually if you want a formal privacy hedge.
9. Wax Myrtle
Wax myrtle is a fast-growing evergreen shrub-tree that works well for privacy in warmer zones. It has fragrant leaves and grows quickly with minimal fuss.
Why this works
It reaches up to 20 feet tall and fills out nicely even in poor soil.
Quick Tip
Ideal for zones 7–10. Plant in full sun for fastest growth.
10. Sky Pencil Holly
If you need something tall and narrow, Sky Pencil holly grows straight up like a column and adds structure and greenery to smaller spaces.
Why this works
It can be used to frame patios, decks, or narrow borders where wider trees won’t fit.
Quick Tip
Protect from harsh winter winds if you live in colder zones—it can be sensitive.
11. Italian Cypress
This iconic tree is perfect for tall, vertical privacy screens, especially in Mediterranean-style gardens. It grows narrow and straight, creating a dramatic line of greenery.
Why this works
It reaches 40–60 feet tall but only spreads about 4–5 feet wide.
Quick Tip
Best suited for zones 7 and up—avoid if your winters are harsh.
12. Privet
Privet is a fast-growing shrub that can be trained into a tall hedge. It’s deciduous in cooler climates but still makes a solid screen in spring through fall.
Why this works
With regular pruning, privet creates a thick wall of green in just a couple seasons.
Quick Tip
Trim a few times a year to keep it dense and in shape.
13. Laurel (Cherry Laurel or Skip Laurel)
Laurel varieties are broadleaf evergreens with shiny leaves and strong growth. They make excellent privacy hedges in mild to moderate climates.
Why this works
They’re fast-growing, drought-tolerant, and stay green all year.
Quick Tip
Choose Skip Laurel for narrow spaces or Cherry Laurel for taller, broader hedges.
