The best privacy trees offer dense, year-round foliage, fast growth rates, and a mature size that fits your yard without overwhelming it. Top regional choices vary by your specific climate and available space.
The most popular privacy trees are Leyland Cypress, Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae, and Italian Cypress but there are many more options to choose from that may be better suited to your region or your yard.
The fastest-growing trees for privacy are evergreens like the Thuja Green Giant and Leyland Cypress. They grow 3−5 feet annually once established. Depending on your climate and yard size, top choices for privacy screens offer distinct advantages:
The best trees to block neighbors are fast-growing, dense evergreens that create a year-round privacy screen. Top choices include the Thuja Green Giant for large yards, Emerald Green Arborvitae for narrow spaces, and the Spartan Juniper.
Plants are also a great choice. Landscape architect Bruce Clodfelter often uses holly, evergreen and Ligustrum for a more natural partition, while garden designer Stephanie Bartron frequently goes with a bamboo or hedge barrier.
To quickly block a neighbor's view, install a physical screen or plant a tall barrier as close to the problem area as possible. The fastest, most effective methods for reclaiming your backyard privacy include:
Acmena smithii 'Goodbye Neighbours' is commonly known as the Lilly Pilly and has dense green and bronze foliage that will produce small white flowers throughout the year. These flowers will also entice a few birds to the garden. This native is best used for hedging or screening as it can be pruned to the desired look.
Bill Gates argued against relying on planting trees as a primary solution to climate change, calling the idea "complete nonsense". He believes tree planting is insufficient, unproven at scale, and distraction from necessary technological solutions like direct air capture, arguing that emissions reduction requires fundamental industrial changes rather than relying on reforestation.
Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd')
A classic choice for narrow hedges, the Emerald Green Arborvitae grows 12–15 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide, offering a dense, upright form that stays bright green all year. Excellent for privacy screens and tight borders.
Certain trees are unsuitable for residential yards due to invasive roots that damage pipes and foundations, weak or brittle wood that snaps in high winds, and excessive debris that attracts pests. Planting these trees too close to your house often leads to expensive property damage.
For the quickest living privacy screen, the best choices are fast-growing, dense evergreens. Leading options include the Thuja Green Giant (grows 3–5 ft per year), Emerald Green Arborvitae (classic narrow shape), or Skip Laurel (glossy leaves with spring blooms).
Lombardy Poplar Tree
It can grow 8 to 10 feet per year and measures up to 30 to 40 feet tall after only three years. Vibrant yellow fall foliage and elegance adds to the Lombardy Poplar's appeal for homeowners, as well as its drought tolerance and low maintenance requirements.
The best time to plant privacy trees is in the early fall or early spring. Planting during these windows allows the trees to establish strong root systems in cool, moist soil before facing extreme summer heat or winter freezes.
The Green Giant Arborvitae is the most popular privacy tree out there. It is incredibly fast growing, disease and pest resistant, and drought tolerant. While many arborvitae tend to be tasty snacks for deer, they tend to avoid the green giant.
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For quick, dense privacy along a fence, opt for evergreen privacy trees like 'Emerald Green' Arborvitae or Leyland Cypress. For a softer, tiered look, use broadleaf shrubs like Skip Laurel or vining plants. The right choice depends on your space and climate.
The best privacy trees for backyards include Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae, Leyland Cypress, Eastern Red Cedar, and Hybrid Poplars. These trees grow densely to create living walls that block unwanted views and noise.
The 3-30-300 rule is an urban forestry and city planning guideline created by Dr. Cecil Konijnendijk to ensure equitable access to nature and its health benefits. It acts as a simple, actionable benchmark for mayors, developers, and planners to create greener, more resilient communities.
Add Furniture Accessories. If a new fence is not in your budget and you don't want to be bothered with maintaining foliage, shrubs, and container gardens, block your neighbor's views with outdoor furniture that comes with built-in privacy. Look to cabanas or day beds with a canopy.
Here are some of the most beautiful trees in the world.
Bill Gates has a favorite tree. It is a 40-year-old maple grows next to the driveway. He loves the tree so much that the tree is monitored 24 hours a day. Even more, the tree has its own irrigation system; the system automatically releases water to the tree if it gets too dry.
A 9,000-year-old tree is typically a clonal tree, where a single ancient root system continuously sprouts new trunks over millennia.
Kalanchoe pinnata, commonly known as cathedral bells, air plant, life plant, miracle leaf, and love bush, is a succulent plant native to Madagascar. It is a popular houseplant and has become naturalized in tropical and subtropical areas.
The butterfly bush (Buddleja spp.) is notorious for its fast-growing blooms, but it comes with significant ecological and maintenance drawbacks. It is highly invasive, crowds out native ecosystems, provides no food for butterfly larvae, and requires aggressive maintenance to prevent uncontrolled spreading.
The best plant for someone grieving is one that is low-maintenance, as mourners often lack the energy to care for high-needs plants. Peace Lilies, Snake Plants, or Orchids are excellent, comforting choices. Always confirm whether the recipient has pets, as some common options are toxic.