Comprehensive Guide to 17 Fast-Growing Privacy Trees for Your Yard

Are you looking to enhance the beauty of your landscape while also maintaining your privacy? Fast-growing privacy trees are the perfect solution! These trees are known for their rapid growth rate, typically ranging from 2-5 feet per year, and can reach a mature height of nearly 50 feet. With their dense foliage and bushy limbs, they create a natural barrier that enhances seclusion in your yard, giving you the privacy you desire in just a few years.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore 17 of the best fast-growing privacy trees that you can plant in your yard to create a serene and secluded outdoor space. From evergreen Leyland cypresses to deciduous dawn redwoods, we’ll cover a wide range of tree options to suit your landscaping needs.

Tree Selection Tips for Beginners

Before diving into our list of fast-growing privacy trees, here are a few tips for selecting the right trees for your yard:

• Consider the mature height of the tree to ensure it aligns with your privacy needs.
• Choose trees that are well-suited to the climate and soil conditions in your area.
• Select trees that require minimal maintenance to keep your landscaping efforts manageable.

Now, let’s explore the top 17 fast-growing privacy trees that you can plant in your yard:

1. Hybrid Poplar

Hybrid poplars are excellent privacy trees known for their fast growth and ease of maintenance. These deciduous trees can reach up to 50 feet tall at maturity and feature an oval shape that adds visual interest to your landscape. They are disease-resistant and can thrive in a variety of hardiness zones. Simply provide them with full sun for at least 6 hours a day, and watch them grow a few feet each year.

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2. Green Giant Arborvitae

With their classic Christmas tree-like shape, green giant arborvitae trees are a popular choice for privacy screens. These evergreen trees feature lush branches that can grow between 12-20 feet wide, providing excellent coverage. They are adaptable to various soil types and can withstand different weather conditions. Plant them in full sun to partial shade, spacing them at least 5-6 feet apart for optimal growth.

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3. Eastern Red Cedar

Eastern red cedars boast a pyramid shape similar to the green giant arborvitae, with branches that grow upwards. These evergreen trees are part of the cypress family and can reach a height of 30-40 feet, making them ideal for creating a natural fence around your property. Plant them in a sunny location to ensure they reach their full height quickly.

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4. Leyland Cypress

The Leyland cypress is renowned for its fast growth and tall height, making it a popular choice for privacy trees. These evergreen trees are low maintenance and drought-tolerant, requiring pruning in the spring to prevent overgrowth. The extension of their branches adds texture to your yard while providing lush greenery for a vibrant landscape.

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5. Emerald Green Arborvitae

Though technically a shrub, the emerald green arborvitae is still a fantastic option for fast-growing privacy trees. Perfect for smaller yards or limited spaces, these evergreen shrubs require minimal maintenance and offer strong durability. Their glossy appearance adds elegance to your yard, and they thrive in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.

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6. Wax Myrtle

Wax myrtles are another evergreen tree that is ideal for privacy screens. These trees feature dense foliage and fast growth, reaching a substantial height without becoming overly large. Their olive green leaves and colorful flowers in the spring provide a visually appealing backdrop for your yard. Regular pruning is the only maintenance they require to maintain a specific height.

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7. Areca Palm

Create a tropical beach vibe in your yard with the Areca palm tree. These leafy evergreen trees grow between 15-40 feet tall, offering perfect height for privacy screening. They are easy to grow and care for, but they require bright areas with indirect lighting to keep their leaves looking vibrant.

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8. Dawn Redwood

The deciduous dawn redwood tree provides more than just privacy and noise reduction. These trees support natural wildlife and add a pop of green foliage to your yard. In the fall, they turn a beautiful shade of red, enhancing your outdoor decor. Plant them in a sunny location for optimal growth.

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9. Chinese Tallow Tree

For a natural privacy screen, consider the Chinese tallow tree, which is known for its quick growth and colorful foliage. These deciduous trees change colors in the fall, offering year-round interest. Plant them in full sun with moist soil for consistent growth.

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10. Yellow Oleander

The yellow oleander tree is a tropical evergreen shrub with dark green foliage and tiny yellow trumpet flowers. While it grows quickly and requires minimal maintenance, it is toxic to humans and some animals, so caution is advised when planting this tree.

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Warning: Yellow oleander trees are toxic to humans and some animals, so use caution when planting.

11. Italian Cypress

With their slender form and mature height, Italian cypress trees are great for privacy screens. These evergreen trees thrive in dry conditions and are drought-tolerant, requiring minimal maintenance. Regular pruning will help preserve their elegant shape.

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12. Bald Cypress

If you live in a wet climate, consider planting bald cypress trees for a fast-growing privacy solution. These deciduous trees turn a striking shade of orange in the fall and can withstand insect infestations and diseases.

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13. Lombardy Poplars

Lombardy poplars are fast-growing deciduous trees that offer year-round coverage for privacy. These trees require consistent maintenance, with regular pruning and watering to ensure optimal growth. Plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil for best results.

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14. Japanese Pagoda Tree

The Japanese pagoda tree is a deciduous plant known for its bushy foliage and tall height. These trees add color with light flowers that bloom in the summer and are easy to maintain and grow.

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15. Tulip Tree

The tulip tree is a fast-growing privacy tree that offers bountiful coverage and vibrant tulip flowers in the summer. Plant them in full sun with well-drained soil for optimal growth.

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16. Lemon Bottlebrush

The lemon bottlebrush is an evergreen shrub with red blooms that thrive in hot and dry conditions. These drought and heat-tolerant shrubs are easy to grow and add a pop of color to your yard.

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17. Southern Catalpa

Southern catalpa trees are stunning deciduous trees that provide privacy and shade in your backyard. These trees produce white flowers between May and July and require pruning in the late spring for optimal growth.

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Additional Fast-Growing Privacy Trees

In addition to the 17 trees listed above, some other common selections for fast-growing privacy trees include hybrid poplars, silver maple, giant arborvitae, and Leyland cypress. One of the fastest-growing trees is the Paulownia tree (Paulownia elongata or Paulownia fortunei), which can grow up to 10 feet in one year under the right conditions.

As you select the perfect fast-growing privacy trees for your yard, consider the specific conditions in your area, such as climate, sunlight, and soil type. By choosing the right trees and providing them with proper care, you can create a lush and secluded outdoor space that enhances the beauty of your landscape.

Remember to research the specific growing requirements for each tree species and consider consulting with a local arborist or landscaping professional for expert advice tailored to your yard’s unique needs. With the right trees and proper care, you can enjoy a private and picturesque outdoor oasis right in your own backyard.