Most people looking for privacy trees run into the same problem. The ones that grow fast tend to get enormous and the ones that stay a manageable size grow at a glacial pace. Plant a Leyland cypress and in fifteen years you’re managing a 60-foot wall. Plant a dwarf evergreen shrub and you’re still waiting on results a decade later.
The sweet spot is fast-growing privacy trees that won’t get too big and take over your entire yard. Certain evergreens and columnar trees have a limit to their height or a slow enough growth rate that they don’t need constant fighting to keep them compact – but they’re not too slow to grow either.
The trees below cover a range of sizes, climates, and situations – from the most planted privacy tree in North America to a few underrated but equally beautiful choices. These trees are compact, quick to mature, and add tons of privacy to your yard.
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1. Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
(Image credit: KristineRiba / Shutterstock)
A compact arborvitae is a common choice for a fast-growing small privacy tree – and honestly it’s hard to argue with. This tree is able to put on around 1 to 2 feet (30-60 cm) a year, but it caps out around 12 to 14 feet (3.5-4 m). It also tends to hold its pointed shape without any pruning.
The winter color is worth thinking about when choosing an arborvitae variety. A lot of cultivars turn bronze by December and stay rough-looking until spring, but the better compact forms hold their green all the way through winter, like the ‘Emerald Green’ arborvitae from Fast Growing Trees.
Mature spread sits around 3 to 4 feet (1-1.2 m) wide, so a row at that spacing is likely to close into a solid screen quickly. Hardy down to zone 3arborvitae handles clay soil better than most conifers.
2. Columnar Juniper (Juniperus chinensis)
(Image credit: Green Promise Farms)
If your yard is hot and dry, a columnar juniper tree is a great choice. It grows 12 to 18 inches (30-45 cm) per year – faster than many trees. Its mature size is 15 to 20 feet (4.5-6 m) tall by 4 to 5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) wide. Juniper remains green and dense year-round.
It’s hardy in zones 4 to 9, which is broader than most arborvitae varieties, and juniper’s drought tolerance after establishment is a genuine asset for dry landscapes. The columnar shape means this type of juniper can fit in narrow front yards where a wider tree would get crowded.
You can find live columnar juniper trees on Amazon.
3. Columnar Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
This is the same species as the standard pyramidal type of arborvitae, but the columnar tree form tends to stay noticeably slimmer. On a tight fence line or in a narrow side yard, that small difference matters.
Columnar arborvitae only reach about 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm) wide at maturity versus the 4 to 5 feet (1-1.2 m) width for your typical standard selection. This fast-growing privacy tree tops out around 15 to 20 feet (4.5- 6 m).
The foliage will often carry a slight spiral texture that looks a bit more interesting than the flat uniform look of the standard type. The difference is subtle, but worth it in a formal garden setting.
Hardy in zones 3 to 8, columnar arborvitae handle most soils well without complaint. Most gardeners overlook this as an option, which is a shame given how well it fits into tight spots. Choose a high-quality cultivar like the ‘American Pillar’ arborvitae from Fast Growing Trees for fast results.
4. False Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera)
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False cypress has a feathery texture and unique colors that are completely different from the other conifers here. If you’re looking for fast-growing privacy trees to plant close to a path or a play area, the prickly foliage on junipers and arborvitae can be quite unpleasant when people brush against them. False cypress doesn’t have that problem.
This tree grows about 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) per year and matures at 6 to 8 feet (1.8-2.4m) tall by 3 to 4 feet (1-1.2 m) wide. It is better suited as a lower screening hedge near windows or in small foundation beds rather than as a full-height screen.
False cypress is hardy in zones 4 to 8 and prefers consistent moisture. Their color, often blue-green or gold, holds through winter and adds beauty year-round. Shop a wide array of false cypress bushes and trees from Nature Hills Nursery to find the perfect one for your yard.
5. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
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Cherry laurel grows fast – often 2 to 3 feet (60-90 cm) a year – and looks nothing like the conifers on this list. Its large, glossy dark green leaves create a lush screen that reads more like a proper hedge than a row of evergreens.
Cherry laurel matures around 10 to 15 feet (3-4.5 m) high, takes an annual trim without complaint, and is hardy in zones 6 to 9. Shade tolerance is really what sets the cherry laurel apart, though. Junipers and arborvitae turn thin and patchy in shade gardens after a few seasons – and that problem is not easy to fix.
If your fence line sits under a neighboring tree canopy or runs along a north-facing wall, cherry laurel is often the most reliable option that will actually do well there. You can get cherry laurel plants in a range of sizes from Garden Goods Direct.
6. Upright Holly (Ilex attenuata)
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Holly sometimes gets a reputation for being slow-growing, but upright holly moves at a pretty solid 2 feet (60 cm) of growth per year and reaches 15 to 20 feet (4.5-6 m) at maturity. It has a naturally narrow, upright habit that stays tidy without much work from you.
Its dark, spiny foliage screens well year-round and the red berries in fall and winter give it an extra sparkle that a row of conifers just can’t offer. These fast-growing privacy trees are suited to zones 6 through 9 and are easy to establish.
A male holly tree improves berry production, though female trees set some fruit on their own most years regardless. For a screen that looks good and provides tons of privacy, this might be the most underused option on the list. This upright ‘Monarch Holly’ tree from Fast Growing Trees is a regal choice for any garden.
7. Columnar Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)
(Image credit: Alamy)
The columnar Japanese holly tree is one of the best options for extremely tight spaces. Measuring 8 to 10 feet (2.4-3 m) tall and barely 2 feet (60 cm) wide at maturity, this tree is perfect in tight planting strips or narrow side yards where nothing else can possibly fit. Growth is more moderate than the other trees on this list at just 6 to 9 inches (15-23 cm) per year.
The foliage stays dense from top to bottom without any pruning. This tree is hardy in zones 5 to 9, so it’s a good option for a wide variety of landscapes. Three or more planted together make a proper privacy screen. Planted on its own, Japanese holly reads more as an accent tree than a barrier.
You can find elegantly slender Japanese hollies for sale on Fast Growing Trees.
