If you’re looking to add privacy to your backyard quickly, evergreen trees are an excellent choice. These trees grow fast, stay lush and green all year round, and create a natural barrier against noise, neighbors, and wind. Whether you have a large yard or a small space, here’s a list of fast-growing evergreen trees that will transform your backyard into a private oasis.
1. Leyland Cypress
- Growth Rate: Very fast (up to 3-4 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet
- Width: 15-25 feet
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: The Leyland Cypress is one of the fastest-growing privacy trees available. With its dense foliage and rapid growth, it quickly forms a thick, green screen ideal for larger backyards or windbreaks.
2. Emerald Green Arborvitae
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 12-15 feet
- Width: 3-4 feet
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: The Emerald Green Arborvitae is perfect for smaller backyards or narrow spaces. Its slim, columnar shape makes it an excellent choice for creating a tidy, structured privacy hedge without taking up too much space.
3. Thuja Green Giant
- Growth Rate: Extremely fast (3-5 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 30-50 feet
- Width: 12-20 feet
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: This low-maintenance, pest-resistant tree is a favorite for creating large, natural privacy screens. Its thick, dark green foliage makes it a stunning and effective barrier.
4. Holly (Nellie R. Stevens)
- Growth Rate: Fast (2-3 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 15-25 feet
- Width: 10-15 feet
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: Known for its glossy, deep green leaves and vibrant red berries, the Nellie R. Stevens Holly provides year-round beauty and dense growth, making it an attractive and functional privacy option.
5. Eucalyptus Tree
- Growth Rate: Very fast (3-6 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 40-70 feet (depending on species)
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: Eucalyptus trees are not only fast growers but also drought-tolerant and fragrant. Their evergreen leaves add year-round greenery, making them ideal for large backyards.
6. Italian Cypress
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (2-3 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 30-40 feet
- Width: 3-5 feet
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: Tall and narrow, the Italian Cypress adds a touch of elegance to any backyard. It’s perfect for tight spaces where vertical growth is needed to form a stylish privacy screen.
7. Privet (Wax-Leaf Ligustrum)
- Growth Rate: Fast (2-3 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 10-20 feet
- Width: 6-10 feet
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: Privet trees grow into a dense hedge that can be easily shaped and pruned. They are versatile, making them ideal for creating clean, green privacy walls.
8. Carolina Cherry Laurel
- Growth Rate: Fast (2-3 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 20-30 feet
- Width: 15-20 feet
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: This tree features glossy, dark green leaves and dense growth, providing excellent privacy while maintaining a polished look. It’s also highly drought-tolerant once established.
9. Southern Magnolia (Little Gem)
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 20-25 feet
- Width: 10-15 feet
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: Known for its stunning white blooms and evergreen leaves, the Little Gem Magnolia adds beauty and privacy to mid-sized backyards.
10. Japanese Cryptomeria
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (1-3 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 30-40 feet
- Width: 15-20 feet
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: With its soft, feathery foliage, Japanese Cryptomeria offers a unique texture while providing dense coverage for privacy.
11. Eastern Red Cedar
- Growth Rate: Fast (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 20-50 feet
- Width: 10-20 feet
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: Hardy and drought-tolerant, the Eastern Red Cedar is perfect for large yards. Its dense growth offers excellent protection from wind, noise, and prying eyes.
12. Bay Laurel
- Growth Rate: Moderate (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 10-30 feet
- Width: 8-15 feet
- Why It’s Great for Privacy: With aromatic, evergreen leaves, Bay Laurel can be pruned into a hedge or left to grow naturally for an elegant privacy screen.
Key Tips for Planting Privacy Trees:
- Space Wisely: Make sure to consider the mature width of each tree to avoid overcrowding.
- Match Climate and Soil: Choose trees suited for your local growing conditions.
- Water and Maintain: Newly planted trees require consistent watering until established. Prune regularly to maintain shape and density.
Final Thoughts
Fast-growing evergreen trees are the perfect solution for creating privacy in your backyard. Whether you prefer the tall elegance of an Italian Cypress, the thick greenery of a Thuja Green Giant, or the vibrant beauty of a Holly, there’s an option for every yard size and style. By choosing the right trees, you can quickly transform your outdoor space into a peaceful, private retreat that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
