Let me tell you about the day I got fed up with my nosy next-door neighbors peeking into my backyard.
Every time I stepped outside with my morning coffee, there they were – watching!
That’s when I started hunting for the perfect privacy trees.
Now my backyard feels like my own little slice of heaven, and I’m sharing my top 10 picks to help you get the same peaceful backyard you’ve been dreaming of.
1. Skip Laurel: The All-Season Superstar
I fell in love with Skip Laurel the moment I planted it. This evergreen beauty sports glossy leaves that maintain their vibrancy all year round.
Come spring, it puts on quite a show with stunning white flower spikes that never fail to make me smile.
What I particularly adore about Skip Laurel is its versatility – it thrives in practically any soil and doesn’t mind shade. Plus, the deer leave it alone, which is a huge win for my garden!
2. Cryptomeria: The Majestic Giant
If you’re blessed with a spacious yard like I am, Cryptomeria (Japanese Cedar) might be your perfect match.
This stunning tree can soar past 30 feet, creating an impressive natural screen with its uniquely textured foliage.
I love watching mine grow taller each year, knowing it’s becoming more magnificent with time.
3. Junipers: The Versatile Veterans
Junipers have become my go-to recommendation for friends with different garden styles.
Their range of sizes and colors – from striking blue-green to warm gold – means there’s truly something for everyone.
I’ve found their upright forms perfect for creating natural screens, and the blue-green fruit clusters add such lovely visual interest through the seasons.
4. Chase Tree: The Fast-Growing Beauty
The Chase Tree has been my secret weapon for quick privacy solutions.
Its fragrant purple bloom clusters and gray-green foliage create an elegant display that never fails to impress visitors.
I love how I can shape it into a multi-trunk display, perfect for screening wider areas up to 15 feet.
5. Yew: The Reliable Guardian
When I needed something that could handle our cold winters, Yew became my trusted companion.
Its dense, pyramidal growth provides excellent year-round coverage.
I particularly appreciate how well it adapts to partial shade, making it perfect for those tricky spots in the garden.
6. Arborvitae: The Low-Maintenance Champion
In my quest for a hassle-free privacy solution, Arborvitae has been a game-changer.
These wonderful trees come in various shapes – round, columnar, or pyramidal – and can grow anywhere from a few feet to over 30 feet tall.
Just a word of caution from my personal experience: if you have deer in your area, they’ll treat your Arborvitae like an all-you-can-eat buffet in winter!
7. Serviceberry: The Multi-Season Wonder
Serviceberry has become my absolute favorite for its year-round appeal.
Every spring, I look forward to those clusters of fragrant white flowers that transform into deep purple berries – perfect for my homemade jams!
I’ve trained mine into a tree form reaching about 25 feet, and the fall colors are simply spectacular.
8. Hemlock: The Shade Lover
When I needed privacy in my partially shaded yard, Hemlock came to the rescue.
Its soft, feathery foliage adds such a gentle touch to the landscape, and I’m amazed at how well it handles tough conditions.
For smaller spaces, I recommend the dwarf varieties – they provide the same beautiful screening without overwhelming your garden.
9. False Cypress: The Textural Treasure
The False Cypress has become my go-to choice when I want to add some unique texture to my privacy screen.
Those fern-like needles and graceful limbs create such an elegant natural barrier.
I particularly love how it requires minimal maintenance while serving as both a privacy screen and a stunning focal point.
10. Hydrangea: The Colorful Finale
While technically a shrub, I couldn’t leave Hydrangea off this list – it’s been a game-changer in my garden’s privacy strategy.
The large, showy blooms provide privacy from summer through fall, and I even leave the dried flower heads for winter interest.
With so many size and color options available, I’ve found Hydrangeas perfect for creating a vibrant, living privacy screen that doubles as a stunning garden feature.