If you’re looking for a way to provide some privacy to your backyard so you can enjoy it to the fullest. Planting privacy trees is a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to fences. They can help turn your home into the recluse you desire.
Most privacy trees are between 6-8 feet so they are higher than eye level and to block neighbors’ views. Having a tree that can survive all the seasons we have in Maryland, DC and Virginia is imperative for continued privacy. Depending on the size of your backyard you can decorate the trees with surrounding flowers or hardscape.
There are several different trees that we recommend for use of privacy trees.
- San Jose Holly – Ilex x aquipernyi ‘San Jose’
- A compact Holly tree that stands upright and has a dark green glossy foliage with red berries. They are in full bloom in September and last until mid-winter. It reaches a full height of 20-25 feet with a wide 12-15 foot base
- Norway Spruce – Picea abies
- The fastest-growing type of spruce tree. It reaches a full height of around 5 feet with a wide 2-foot base. This tree has strong branches with dark green needles.
- Radicans – Cryptomeria japonica ‘Radicans’
- Also known as the Japanese Ceder tree, this tree has the shape of a pyramid and has tiered branches. It reaches a height of 30-40 feet with a base of 15-20 feet.
- Leyland Cypress – Cupressocyparis ‘Leylandii’
- This popular tree reaches around 60-70 feet and is about 10-15 feet wide and requires medium maintenance of pruning and shearing.
- Leatherleaf Viburnum – Viburnum rhytidophylloides ‘Alleghany’
- This deciduous shrub blooms in April and May and grows between 8-10 feet and 8-10 feet wide.
- Hornbeam – ‘Carpinus betulus’
- This tall tree reaches 30-40 feet in height and 20-30 feet in width and requires low maintenance. This tree requires pruning if you want it as a shrub
- Green Giant Arborvitae – Thuja x plicata
- This large tree reaches 40-60 feet and 12-18 feet wide and requires pruning if you wish to have it as a shrub. It requires low maintenance and is great for providing shade.
- Emerald Green Arborvitae – ‘Thuja occidentalis’
- Also known as the American arborvitae and is a needled evergreen. It reaches 20-40 feet in height and 10-15 feet in width and requires low maintenance.
Don’t hesitate to contact our friendly staff today with questions or to schedule a free consultation for your property. We have been designing custom landscapes and adding privacy trees since 1997. We are proud to serve the greater DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia area.