If you need a natural privacy screen between houses, fast-growing trees are an excellent solution. Here are 15 trees that provide quick coverage, along with their growth rates, maximum heights, and care requirements.
1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus × leylandii)
- Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
- Max Height: 60-70 feet
- Requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil; drought-tolerant once established
- Why Choose It? Forms a dense, evergreen screen that grows rapidly.
2. Thuja Green Giant (Thuja standishii x plicata)
- Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
- Max Height: 40-60 feet
- Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; adapts to most soil types; drought-resistant
- Why Choose It? Low maintenance and resistant to pests and diseases.
3. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
- Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
- Max Height: 40-50 feet
- Requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil; drought-tolerant
- Why Choose It? Dense evergreen foliage provides excellent year-round privacy.
4. Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)
- Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
- Max Height: 12-15 feet
- Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; adapts to most soils; moderate watering
- Why Choose It? Compact size makes it perfect for small yards.
5. Bamboo (Clumping Variety)
- Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
- Max Height: 15-30 feet (varies by species)
- Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
- Why Choose It? Provides an exotic, dense privacy screen in a short time.
6. Hybrid Poplar (Populus deltoides x Populus nigra)
- Growth Rate: 5-8 feet per year
- Max Height: 40-50 feet
- Requirements: Full sun; tolerates various soils; needs regular watering
- Why Choose It? One of the fastest-growing trees available.
7. Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum)
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Max Height: 50-80 feet
- Requirements: Full sun; moist, well-draining soil
- Why Choose It? Provides shade and privacy quickly.
8. Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Max Height: 70-90 feet
- Requirements: Full sun; deep, well-drained soil; prefers slightly acidic conditions
- Why Choose It? Tall, fast-growing, and beautiful in bloom.
9. Willow Hybrid (Salix × matsudana x alba)
- Growth Rate: 6-10 feet per year
- Max Height: 50-75 feet
- Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist soil; tolerates wet areas
- Why Choose It? Extremely fast-growing and ideal for windbreaks.
10. Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides)
- Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
- Max Height: 70-100 feet
- Requirements: Full sun; moist, well-drained soil
- Why Choose It? A deciduous conifer with soft, feathery foliage.
11. River Birch (Betula nigra)
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Max Height: 40-70 feet
- Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; prefers moist, acidic soil
- Why Choose It? Attractive peeling bark and great for wet areas.
12. Eucalyptus (Cold-Hardy Varieties)
- Growth Rate: 6+ feet per year
- Max Height: 40-80 feet
- Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil; drought-resistant once established
- Why Choose It? Fast-growing with fragrant foliage.
13. Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Max Height: 40-60 feet
- Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil; drought-tolerant
- Why Choose It? Tall, narrow shape is perfect for tight spaces.
14. Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Max Height: 40-70 feet
- Requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, acidic soil
- Why Choose It? Provides beautiful fall color along with privacy.
15. Cryptomeria ‘Radicans’ (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Radicans’)
- Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year
- Max Height: 40-50 feet
- Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil; drought-tolerant
- Why Choose It? Evergreen with a soft, feathery texture.
These trees will quickly provide privacy between houses, reduce noise, and add beauty to your landscape. When choosing a tree, consider factors like space, soil type, and desired height. With the right selection, you’ll have a lush, private yard in no time!
