Have you ever peered into your backyard and wished for a little more privacy? While fences can be an option, there’s something special about a natural green screen that not only enhances privacy but also beautifies your outdoor space. Choosing the right trees can transform your backyard into a serene escape without breaking the bank. Let me introduce you to 25 fantastic choices that blend beauty, functionality, and affordability effortlessly.
1. Green Giant Arborvitae
The Green Giant Arborvitae is a fast-growing evergreen powerhouse that’s perfect for building a living wall. With lush, feathery foliage and a tall, narrow profile, it provides dense coverage year-round. It grows quickly—up to 3 feet per year—making it a favorite for impatient privacy seekers.
Plant them 5–6 feet apart for a solid screen in just a few seasons. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and tolerate various soil types. Plus, they’re low-maintenance and naturally resistant to deer and pests. Line them along your property for a soft, green privacy wall that keeps on giving.
2. Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern Red Cedar brings rugged beauty and year-round privacy with its dense, pyramidal shape. Its fragrant, blue-green needles create a natural barrier that also attracts birds and pollinators. This native tree is a workhorse in both rural and suburban landscapes.
Plant it in full sun where drainage is decent—this tree is drought-tolerant and low-fuss once established. It grows tall and wide, so give it space to do its thing. Use it as a solo sentinel or in a staggered row for windbreak and privacy combined. Bonus: its berries are food for wildlife and visual winter interest.
3. Leyland Cypress
Leyland Cypress is the speedy green giant of privacy trees, growing up to 4 feet a year under the right conditions. Its soft, blue-green foliage forms a dense, towering hedge with very little maintenance. It’s ideal for quick cover in large yards or along fence lines.
Space them about 6–10 feet apart for a thick screen, and plant in full sun for the fastest growth. These evergreens are drought-tolerant once established, though they appreciate regular watering when young. Prune lightly to shape, or let them grow into a full wall of greenery. They’re your go-to for fast, tall, and affordable coverage.
4. American Arborvitae
American Arborvitae is a classic privacy staple with a tall, narrow shape and soft, fan-like foliage. It offers year-round screening and adapts well to most soil conditions. It’s slower-growing than some, but still reliable and beautiful.
Plant them 3–5 feet apart for a tight hedge, and enjoy the low-maintenance nature of these evergreens. They do best in full sun but can handle some shade. Regular watering and mulch will keep them lush and full. Use them to line driveways, define borders, or create a green sanctuary in your backyard.
5. Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Nellie R. Stevens Holly is the bold, glossy evergreen with deep green leaves and bright red berries. Its thick growth and upright shape make it an excellent living fence. It also offers wildlife value while still looking formal and polished.
Plant in full sun to part shade, and give each tree 5–8 feet of space to grow into a solid wall. It’s drought-tolerant and resistant to pests once established. No pruning is necessary, but it handles shaping like a champ. Great for privacy with a splash of holiday cheer.
6. Wax Myrtle
Wax Myrtle is a fast-growing, aromatic shrub-tree hybrid that thrives in the South. Its airy, olive-green leaves create a semi-formal screen that smells amazing when brushed. It’s salt-tolerant, making it great for coastal areas too.
Plant in full sun to partial shade and space 4–6 feet apart for a bushy screen. It grows quickly and adapts to poor or wet soils with ease. Use it for privacy with a soft, native vibe. Birds love the berries, and you’ll love how little work it takes to thrive.
7. Spartan Juniper
Spartan Juniper is a sleek, columnar evergreen that’s perfect for narrow spaces needing height and privacy. It stays tight and upright, with rich green foliage and a clean, architectural look. It’s low-maintenance and drought-resistant, too.
Plant in full sun, spacing them 3–5 feet apart depending on how tight you want the screen. They need little pruning but can be shaped if desired. Use them to flank entryways, line walkways, or create a minimalist privacy wall. A great choice for modern landscapes or tight urban lots.
8. Emerald Green Arborvitae
Emerald Green Arborvitae brings elegance and density to backyard screens. With soft, emerald foliage and a narrow shape, it’s ideal for tight spaces or suburban borders. It grows more slowly than the Green Giant but stays beautifully compact.
Plant 2–3 feet apart for a thick hedge and place in full sun for best growth. Water regularly and add mulch to retain moisture. They’re perfect for lining patios, pools, or fences where year-round greenery is welcome. Plus, they look fantastic dusted with snow in winter.
9. Willow Hybrid
Willow Hybrid trees are the speed demons of privacy planting—growing up to 6 feet a year! With their graceful, weeping branches and towering height, they form a living curtain in no time. These trees are perfect for large properties where fast coverage is key.
Plant in rows with plenty of sun and regular water—they love moisture. Space them about 5 feet apart for a dense wall. Use them to block views, absorb sound, and add dramatic green movement to your landscape. Just be sure to plant away from structures—their roots are strong and spreading.
10. River Birch
River Birch brings texture, color, and privacy to soggy or muddy yards. Its peeling bark and fluttery leaves offer beauty and natural screening in one package. It handles wet soil better than most trees and still grows strong and fast.
Plant in full sun or part shade and give it a lot of space space because it can grow 40+ feet tall. Water regularly when young, especially in dry spells. Use River Birch in clusters or loose rows to create a light-filtering privacy buffer. It’s great for creekside areas, rain gardens, or low spots with drainage issues.
11. American Holly
American Holly offers classic Southern charm with its deep green leaves and festive red berries. It grows into a thick, pyramidal shape that provides year-round privacy and bird-friendly habitat. Plus, it’s evergreen and adapts well to heat and humidity.
Position in full sun to part shade and space generously—these trees get big. They’re slow growers but worth the wait for dense, lasting coverage. Use them in borders or as a statement screen that shines in all seasons. A true beauty with function baked in.
12. Southern Wax Myrtle
Southern Wax Myrtle is a fast-growing native that adds privacy with a touch of wild beauty. Its aromatic foliage deters pests while offering gentle, airy coverage year-round. It’s great for informal hedges and natural screens.
Grow in full sun or partial shade and watch it grow—up to 5 feet a year in ideal conditions. It tolerates wet soil and salt, making it ideal for tough spots. Use it to create a breezy, wildlife-friendly barrier with little fuss. Just give it a light trim if you want a tidier look.
13. Arizona Cypress
Arizona Cypress is a cool-toned, drought-tolerant evergreen with soft blue-gray foliage. It stands tall and thick, making it a great alternative to Leyland Cypress in hot, dry climates. It brings privacy and style with very little upkeep.
Place it in full sun and give it room to breathe—it grows fast and wide. Once established, it needs almost no water or fertilizer. Use it to line long driveways, frame your yard, or block unwanted views with silver-toned flair. A hardy, handsome tree that doesn’t mind neglect.
14. Thuja ‘Can-Can’
Thuja ‘Can-Can’ is a compact arborvitae with a soft texture and lively green color. It’s a great choice for smaller yards or decorative screens near patios and porches. Its tidy shape makes it look manicured even without trimming.
Grow in full sun and well-draining soil for best results. Space 3 feet apart for a fuller hedge or use individually for accent privacy. It’s lower-maintenance than taller thujas and still provides a lovely evergreen screen. Perfect where space is tight but style matters.
15. Privet (Tree Form)
Privet in tree form is a quick-growing privacy option with a more polished, ornamental feel. It can be shaped into lollipop-style topiaries or left loose for a thick green screen. Its dense foliage gives year-round coverage with a soft formal look.
Plant in full sun to part shade and keep it trimmed to your desired shape. It tolerates most soils and grows fast when watered regularly. Great for lining walkways or creating a refined backyard border. A flexible, affordable favorite for classic privacy.
16. Chinese Pistache
Chinese Pistache is a gorgeous shade tree that doubles as a privacy barrier in large yards. Its spreading canopy fills in thick and wide, while its fall color puts on a fiery show. It’s tough, drought-resistant, and surprisingly fast-growing.
Plant in full sun and give it plenty of room to stretch—this one gets big. It thrives in poor soil and doesn’t fuss about clay or heat. Use it as a long-term screen that brings seasonal beauty and lasting structure. Bonus: it’s low-maintenance and great for pollinators.
17. Sawtooth Oak
Sawtooth Oak is a fast-growing oak that provides thick shade and year-round screening once mature. Its broad, serrated leaves form a lush canopy, perfect for backyard privacy and wildlife habitat. It’s a true Southern classic with staying power.
Plant in full sun with good drainage and water well during the first couple of years. This oak grows faster than most and tolerates a range of soils. Use it as a tall screen at the back of your property or to define large spaces naturally. Its acorns attract deer and birds alike.
18. Bald Cypress
Bald Cypress stands tall with feathery needles and a straight, elegant trunk—it’s one of the few deciduous conifers that still offers structure in winter. It loves wet, sticky soil and grows beautifully in swampy or low-lying areas.
Plant in full sun and expect a strong central leader and a symmetrical form. It drops its leaves in fall, but the reddish color adds seasonal beauty. Use it for screening where other trees can’t survive—especially in soggy corners. A bold, native choice that blends privacy and resilience.
19. Eastern White Pine
Eastern White Pine is tall, soft, and serene—like the gentle giant of backyard privacy trees. Its long, feathery needles sway with the wind, adding movement and peace to your space while blocking noise and views.
It brings that cool forest feeling, even on the edges of a suburban yard. It prefers open skies and decent drainage, but it’s surprisingly forgiving overall.
Add a row along your property line to form a breezy evergreen curtain that feels like a forest retreat. This tree’s fast growth and impressive height make it ideal for large yards needing quick coverage. Once settled, it asks for very little in return. Just don’t crowd it—it likes to stretch out.
20. Cherry Laurel
Cherry Laurel delivers glossy leaves, rich color, and fast growth—an ideal combo for anyone wanting quick, stylish coverage. Its thick foliage stays lush through all seasons, while white flower clusters in spring bring an unexpected charm. It forms a dense, polished hedge that looks great near patios, fences, or walkways. While it handles clay soil just fine, it appreciates a bit of afternoon shade in hot climates.
Keep it trimmed if you want a tidy wall, or let it grow freely for a more natural screen. Birds love its tiny black berries, and you’ll love how quickly this one fills in.
It’s a go-to for low-effort, high-impact privacy. A beautiful blend of form and function.
21. Viburnum ‘Awabuki’
Viburnum ‘Awabuki’ brings bold tropical energy to privacy planting with its oversized, shiny leaves and upright growth. It’s one of the fastest-growing viburnums, creating a thick, elegant screen in just a couple of seasons.
Spring brings creamy flower clusters with a sweet scent, followed by red berries that deepen to black. The glossy leaves reflect sunlight in a way that makes the whole hedge feel alive.
This shrub performs best in rich soil with good moisture, but it’s not picky once it’s rooted in. Plant it along fences or property lines where you want bold foliage and fast results. Bonus points if you give it space to shine—it’s a landscape standout. It turns a basic backyard into something tropical and lush.
22. Japanese Cedar
Japanese Cedar is a statuesque evergreen with soft, spiraled needles that give it a lush, almost whimsical appearance. The foliage ranges from rich green to bronze in winter, offering year-round texture and beauty. Its strong vertical shape makes it ideal for tall privacy screens with a bit of elegance. It stands out in mixed borders or along the edges of larger lots.
Plant it where it can shine as a living wall or a peaceful backdrop to a garden.
It’s happiest in moist, well-drained soil with good airflow, but it’s surprisingly low-fuss once established. You’ll love how quickly it fills in and how quietly it transforms your space into something serene.
23. Carolina Sapphire Cypress
Carolina Sapphire Cypress lives up to its name with silvery-blue foliage and a crisp, citrus scent when brushed. It’s one of the fastest-growing evergreens out there, shooting up tall and full within just a couple seasons. The color adds cool contrast to typical green landscapes, and it handles heat and drought like a pro.
Plant it where you want instant privacy without sacrificing style.
This tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil but doesn’t need much pampering. It’s a bold, modern choice for long property lines, noise buffers, or visual screens with attitude.
24. Austrian Pine
Austrian Pine is tough, rugged, and ready to handle whatever your yard throws at it. With long, dark green needles and a strong, upright form, it provides excellent privacy and a woodland feel. It also tolerates pollution, wind, and poor soils, making it a solid choice for urban and rural spaces alike.
Plant it if you want a screen that works hard without demanding attention.
This pine appreciates sunlight and space but won’t sulk if conditions aren’t perfect. A row of them along a driveway or property edge brings instant structure and long-term coverage.
25. Red Tip Photinia
Red Tip Photinia brings a burst of color to your privacy planting, with bright red new leaves that mature into a deep, glossy green. It forms a dense, leafy screen and responds well to shaping—perfect for hedges or property borders.
Grow it where bold color and fast growth are a win.
It thrives in sun to part shade and prefers consistent moisture, especially when young. For best results, give it some airflow and keep an eye out for fungal issues in humid zones. The color alone makes it worth it.