By Nancy Penrose
Introduction
As more people prioritize privacy, a growing number of homeowners are looking for effective ways to create personal outdoor spaces shielded from the outside world. Privacy trees offer an appealing alternative to fences and walls, adding greenery, enhancing curb appeal, and providing long-term value to a property. This article answers some of the most frequently asked questions about privacy trees, covering their benefits, maintenance, types, and much more to help you decide if privacy trees are the right solution for your space.
What Are Privacy Trees?
Privacy trees are dense, and often fast-growing trees commonly used to create barriers that block visibility into a yard or garden. They’re popular for residential and commercial properties where people want to add privacy, reduce noise, or mark boundaries. Privacy trees are available in various types and sizes, which allows homeowners to select the best trees for their unique climates and spaces. These trees grow with dense foliage that remains lush year-round, providing privacy even in winter when deciduous trees lose their leaves.
Popular choices include:
- Emerald Green Arborvitae: Known for its resilience, dense foliage, and columnar shape. Emerald Green’s are ideal for privacy, particularly when the planting area is limited.
- Leyland Cypress: This fast-growing tree is popular in both rural and urban settings. With a growth rate of up to 3 feet per year, it quickly creates a dense, evergreen barrier.
- Laurel: Laurels are a fast-growing dense broad leaf evergreen. Three of the more common varieties used for privacy screens are: English, Schipka, and Portuguese. These large shrubs are great for planting spaces that are in a lot of shade.
These trees serve multiple purposes beyond privacy. They act as natural sound barriers, reduce wind, and offer habitat for birds and other wildlife.
Why Choose Privacy Trees Over Fences?
Privacy trees come with a wide range of benefits over traditional fences:
- Environmental Benefits: Unlike fences, privacy trees improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They also help to reduce noise pollution and attract wildlife like birds, squirrels, and beneficial insects, which support the local ecosystem.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Fences may serve a practical purpose, but they rarely add aesthetic value. Privacy trees add visual interest to a landscape and blend naturally into the environment, making them ideal for both rural and suburban settings.
- Cost Considerations: While privacy trees may cost more upfront compared to a fence, they have a much longer lifespan. Unlike a fence that may need to be replaced every 10–15 years, trees can last for decades with proper care, making them a cost-effective long-term solution.
- Increased Property Value: Privacy trees can enhance property value by adding curb appeal and creating an attractive, green barrier. Buyers often appreciate the environmental and aesthetic benefits privacy trees provide.
Fast-Growing Privacy Trees
Fast-growing privacy trees are an excellent choice for homeowners who want to create a natural barrier around their property quickly. These trees can grow up to 2-4 feet per year, providing a dense screen in just a few years. Some popular fast-growing privacy trees include:
- Green Giant: This evergreen tree is a favorite for its rapid growth and lush foliage. It can grow up to 3-5 feet per year and reaches a height of 10-15 feet in just a few years, making it perfect for creating a tall, green wall.
- Leyland Cypress: Known for its impressive growth rate, the Leyland Cypress can grow up to 4 feet per year. It quickly reaches a height of 20-30 feet, providing a substantial privacy screen in a short amount of time.
- Excelsa Cedar: The Excelsa Cedar is a smaller denser variety of a Western Red Cedar. Reaching a height of 30-35’, these fast-growing trees are great when privacy is needed for a second story.
When choosing fast-growing privacy trees, consider factors such as sunlight, soil type, and deer resistance. It’s also essential to plant multiple trees to create a dense screen and provide adequate spacing for proper growth. By selecting the right species and planting them correctly, you can enjoy a beautiful, private outdoor space in just a few years.
How Do Privacy Trees Affect Property Lines and Neighbor Relations?
Planting privacy trees near property lines can create potential issues, so it’s important to plan carefully.
- Legal Considerations: Local ordinances or homeowner association (HOA) rules may regulate tree placement near property lines. Some communities have height restrictions, so be sure to check these before planting.
- Communication with Neighbors: If you’re planting close to a shared property line, it’s best to communicate with neighbors to avoid future disputes, especially regarding overhanging branches.
- Boundary Etiquette: Leave a few feet of space between the tree and the property line to account for growth. Some tree species have roots that spread widely and can encroach on neighboring yards if planted too close.
Should I Use Professional Tree Planting?
While planting trees can be a rewarding DIY project, hiring a professional tree planting service can ensure that your trees are planted correctly and will thrive for years to come. A professional tree planting service can offer several advantages:
- Expert Selection: Professionals can choose the right trees for your specific climate and soil conditions, ensuring that your privacy trees will grow strong and healthy.
- Proper Planting Techniques: They will plant trees at the correct depth and spacing, which is crucial for the trees’ long-term health and stability.
- Ongoing Care and Maintenance: Professional services often provide care and maintenance for newly planted trees, including watering, fertilization, and pruning, to help them establish and grow.
- Maximized Privacy and Aesthetic Appeal: By planting trees in a way that maximizes privacy and enhances the landscape’s beauty, professionals can help you achieve the best results.
When hiring a professional tree planting service, consider factors such as experience, reputation, and cost. It’s also essential to ask questions and ensure that the service will provide the level of care and maintenance that your trees need to thrive. By investing in professional tree planting, you can enjoy a beautiful, private, and well-maintained outdoor space for years to come.
Conclusion
Privacy trees are an excellent way to create a secluded outdoor space while adding beauty, value, and environmental benefits to your property. From choosing the right tree for your climate to planting and maintaining it properly, thoughtful planning will help you achieve the best results. If you’re ready to enhance your privacy naturally, consult with a local nursery or landscaping expert to start planting your privacy trees today.
See our slide show of privacy trees.
https://bigtreesupply.com/privacy-screens/
See our Tree Finder, where you can select the option to view just privacy trees.
https://bigtreesupply.com/tree-finder/
Nancy Penrose is the owner of Big Trees Inc., located in Snohomish, WA in the Seattle area. The company is one of the largest tree nurseries in the Seattle area with over 120,000 trees available in over 300 varieties. They not only deliver young trees, but also mature trees in a wide range of sizes. Some types of trees available include spring flowering, deciduous, evergreen, and privacy trees. The company also does tree transplanting including large trees. Their blog can be seen at https://bigtreesupply.com/blog/ or http://arboristblog.com/. They can be reached at 360-563-2700.
Big Trees Inc.
10928 Springhetti Rd
Snohomish, WA 98296
360-563-2700
