When you plant privacy trees what you're doing is planting an extension of your home, if you will. So, don't hesitate to sit down and take a few minutes to draw up a design, one that you know you will love and enjoy for many years to come.
When it comes to privacy & screening, there are a few options for layout and design. Be sure to head to our Design Center for helpful tips and ideas. Right off the bat, think about what your specific needs are and if you want year-round privacy, just a visual block, or maybe a little bit of both? Think about planting a variety of evergreen and deciduous trees. This is as opposed to just one kind of tree. There are so many options, and you really can get creative here! It does not have to be boring! Check out the Before & After Video to see what we mean!
Not sure where to begin when selecting trees?
We've got the perfect list of trees to choose from right here →
River Birch, Whitespire Birch & Heritage® River Birch are great options. Not only do birch add incredible texture and color, but these native-looking trees provide substantial shade and privacy. Choose from Whitespire's smooth, chalky white bark or, Heritage River® Birch & River Birch's shedding peeling bark. Homeowners find them useful to block unsightly views, and though they are bare in the winter, their branching will provide screening, creating a visual block. In autumn, birch trees become even more attractive when their leaves turn to a bright, golden yellow.
Consider planting a flowering tree if you need additional privacy. Flowering trees all on their own will provide screening but will look beautiful combined with other plantings such as evergreens and shade trees. Check out the video at the end of this post to see exactly what we are talking about. In that video, our crew plants a combination of privacy trees. The trees will function as screening in addition to the homeowner's fence blocking the view of a busy road. Flowering trees to consider planting for privacy: Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry, Eastern Redbud, Pagoda Dogwood, Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn, and Crabapples are excellent options for adding beauty and screening to your yard. Flowering trees will be the talking point of your backyard, front entrance, or anywhere you plant them! All while adding additional privacy to wherever you need it.
Columnar trees have a narrow, tight branching structure. This feature makes them a versatile tree! Columnar trees are useful as a stand-alone accent in the landscape and when the trees are planted closer together, they'll create screening for privacy. Their dense branching will create a visual block, and their unique appearance will add a formal yet comforting quality to your yard. Consider trees like the Pyramidal European Hornbeam or Columnar Oaks such as Kindred Spirit® Oak, Regal Prince® Oak, Crimson Spire™ Oak, or Streetspire® Oak to create the hedge look. Musashino Japanese Zelkova, Swedish Columnar Aspen, Armstrong Gold® Red Maple, and Urban Pinnacle® Oak are great upright, narrow tree alternatives!
These are most homeowners' go-to choices for year-round screening because of their evergreen foliage. Arborvitae has a traditional quality. They can be planted quite close together. So, as they grow, they will grow together they form a hedge wall. Check out our Arborvitae options: Nigra Arborvitae, Techny Arborvitae, Emerald Green Arborvitae & Green Giant Arborvitae.
Spruce is another excellent option for privacy & screening because of its dense branching and evergreen needles. Not only do Spruce block views of neighbors and roadways, but they'll also help to muffle any nearby sounds that could be disturbing. These sturdy trees will also block strong winds all year round. Most Spruce grow to be large trees. So, be sure to select a place in your yard where they can grow comfortably. Consider Norway Spruce, Black Hills Spruce, Colorado Blue Spruce, Fat Albert, or Blue Diamond Spruce for your home's landscape.
Before & After Video!!!
