- Topic: Best trees for privacy (2026 guide)
- Best for: Backyard privacy screens, fence-line coverage, blocking views
- Top picks: Fast evergreens, tough hedges, shade-making trees
- Key factors: Growth rate, mature size, width, upkeep, local fit
- Updated: 2026
The best trees for privacy give you thick coverage where you need it most, like along fences, near patios, and at property lines. The right choice depends on your yard size, sun, soil moisture, and how quickly you want results.
This 2026 guide covers fast-growing privacy trees, evergreen screens for year-round cover, and a few shade-makers that help you feel tucked away. You will also see where each option works best, so you can avoid common planting regrets.
| Tree | Type | Privacy Speed | Best For | Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | Evergreen | Fast | Dense, tall screens | $35–$160 |
| Emerald Green Arborvitae | Evergreen | Medium | Small yards, narrow spaces | $25–$120 |
| Leyland Cypress | Evergreen | Fast | Large screens in full sun | $40–$180 |
| Eastern Red Cedar | Evergreen | Medium | Windbreaks and tough sites | $35–$150 |
| Nellie R. Stevens Holly | Evergreen | Medium | Formal hedges, thick cover | $45–$200 |
| Wax Myrtle | Evergreen (mild climates) | Fast | Hedges and wildlife-friendly screens | $25–$120 |
| Bald Cypress | Deciduous conifer | Fast | Wet areas and low spots | $45–$220 |
| Dawn Redwood | Deciduous conifer | Fast | Big yards, tall privacy | $50–$250 |
Best Trees for Privacy Overall
Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae
Thuja Green Giant is a top pick when you want a tall, thick screen that stays green all year. It grows quickly in many regions and fills in well when planted in a line.
Give it enough width, since it gets big over time. For most fence lines, spacing matters more than buying the biggest plant. A smaller tree planted correctly often catches up.
Best Trees for Privacy in Small Yards
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Emerald Green arborvitae works well when you need privacy but do not have much space. It stays narrow and tidy, so it fits close to walkways and tight side yards.
It grows slower than Green Giant, but it looks neat and uniform. If you want the best look in a front area, pair this plan with the best trees for the front yard so your privacy line still suits the rest of the yard.
Best Fast Privacy Tree for Big Screens
Leyland Cypress
Leyland cypress can build a tall privacy wall quickly in full sun. It is often chosen for large property lines where a fast evergreen screen is the main goal.
Plant it with airflow in mind. Crowded planting can bring stress over time, so give each tree room and avoid heavy shade.
Best Tough Privacy Tree for Wind and Dry Spots
Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern red cedar handles many rough conditions once established, including wind and poorer soils. It can work well as a long-term privacy line and also helps as a windbreak.
It will not suit every small yard, since it can spread and get tall. For wide property edges, it is a solid option that holds its form with light pruning.
Best Trees for Privacy as a Formal Hedge
Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Nellie R. Stevens holly gives thick evergreen coverage and can be shaped into a hedge. It is popular for privacy screens that need a clean, structured look.
It also brings seasonal interest with berries in many areas. If you like a mixed border look, you can pair holly screens with the best evergreen shrubs for the front of the house, so your planting plan stays full from top to bottom.
Best Fast Privacy Tree in Mild Climates
Wax Myrtle
Wax myrtle can grow quickly and fill in as a privacy hedge in many warm regions. It also works well for people who want a softer, more natural screen than a tight row of identical trees.
In colder areas, winter can thin it out, so check how it does in your region. If your yard gets regular moisture, it often responds well and thickens faster.
Best Trees for Privacy in Wet or Swampy Areas
Bald Cypress
Bald cypress is a smart pick for low spots and wetter soil where many evergreens struggle. It grows tall, looks clean, and can add a strong vertical screen over time.
It drops needles in winter, so the screen is not fully green year-round. Even so, it still blocks views well during the growing season and suits yards with drainage problems.
Best Tall Privacy Tree for Large Yards
Dawn Redwood
Dawn redwood grows fast and can become a tall privacy tree in big spaces. It has soft, feathery foliage during the growing season, then drops needles in winter.
This tree is best when you have room for height and spread. It can also bring shade and a calm feel near patios, but plant it away from small foundations due to size.
How to Choose the Best Trees for Privacy
Match the tree to your space
A narrow tree can be better than a wide one if you are planting near a fence or driveway. Measure your planting strip and plan for mature width.
Decide if you want year-round cover
Evergreens block views in every season. Deciduous trees can still work well, but winter cover will be lighter.
Plan spacing for thick results
Tight spacing can look good early, then cause problems later. A simple rule is to space based on mature width, not current pot size.
Mix trees when the yard needs variety
A mixed screen can handle weather swings better than a single-species line. If your privacy line faces the street, check the best plants for the front of the house for ideas that keep curb appeal strong.
FAQs
A: Fast picks include Thuja Green Giant, wax myrtle in mild climates, Leyland cypress in full sun, and bald cypress for wetter sites.
A: Emerald Green arborvitae is a top choice because it stays narrow and neat.
A: Evergreens like Green Giant arborvitae, holly, and red cedar keep coverage through winter.
A: It depends on mature width. Many privacy rows do well when spacing allows branches to meet without crowding later.
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