Privacy trees along a fence can grow an impressive 40-55 feet tall and 14-16 feet wide. Pretty amazing, right?
The simplest way to hide an undesirable view is to plant a row of evergreens that grow quickly and stay green throughout the year. Creating the perfect privacy tree fence line needs careful planning and selection. Evergreen conifers and broadleaved varieties show remarkable diversity in form, shape, and size. These qualities make them perfect choices for privacy screens along fences.
Many homeowners make critical mistakes while installing privacy trees along their fence. They often pick plants that don't suit their climate or soil. Fast-growing options like bamboo might seem like a quick fix, but some varieties can become invasive and hard to control.
Your privacy fence project doesn't need a formal row of similar trees. You could mix different trees and shrubs instead. This cluster planting creates an attractive, natural-looking screen without turning your yard into a fortress.
We'll help you learn everything about selecting, planting, and maintaining the perfect privacy trees for your fence line. These expert tips will help you create the privacy screen you've been dreaming of, whether you want to block an unsightly view or create a living boundary.
Evaluate Your Fence Line and Yard Conditions
Take some time to check your fence line conditions before you head to the nursery for privacy trees. A full site check will help your living fence grow strong for years. You'll save time and money too.
Check sunlight exposure and shade patterns
The success of privacy trees starts with knowing how much sun hits your fence line. Pick a sunny day and take photos of where you'll plant every 2-3 hours from morning to night. Look at these photos and group your site into:
- Full sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
- Partial sun: 4-6 hours of direct sunlight
- Shade: Less than 4 hours of direct sunlight
Your garden's direction changes sun patterns by a lot. South-facing spots get sun all day long, while north-facing areas stay mostly shaded. East-facing areas enjoy gentle morning light, and west-facing spots get strong afternoon rays.
Test soil type and drainage
Your soil's quality shapes how well your privacy trees will grow. Here's a quick test to find your soil type: grab some damp soil and squeeze it. Clay soil makes a sticky ball that holds together. Loamy soil forms a loose ball that breaks easily. Sandy soil just falls apart.
To test drainage, dig a 12-inch hole and fill it with water. Let it drain fully. Fill it again, check the water level, and measure how much drains in 15 minutes. Multiply that by 4 to see hourly drainage. Most plants love soil that drains 1-3 inches per hour. If water drains slower than 1 inch/hour, you might need better soil or water-loving plants.
Measure available space near the fence
The right amount of space makes all the difference for privacy trees. Measure both your fence line's length and planting width. Think about how tall trees might grow, especially with power lines above.
Keep trees at least 10-15 feet from your house's foundation and 4-5 feet from patios, fences, and structures. This gives roots enough room without damaging anything nearby.
Narrow yards (1-3 feet) work best with slim shrubs. Average spaces (4-12 feet) let you pick from more options like columnar trees and hedges. Big areas (15+ feet) work great for full-sized trees and layered plantings.
Understand your planting zone
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map shows which plants survive in different areas based on winter temperatures. This helps you pick privacy trees that will last.
You can find your zone on the USDA website with just your zip code, or check a zone map. Plants show two numbers for their hardiness range (like 6-9), meaning they grow well in zones 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Note that local conditions like moisture, soil, and wind can change what grows well. The zone map helps guide you, but these small climate differences might let you grow plants from nearby zones too.
A full picture before planting helps your privacy trees thrive and create that natural screen you want without getting pricey mistakes.
Choose the Right Privacy Trees for Your Fence
Your privacy fence line's success depends on choosing the right trees. Let me help you find the perfect options for your ideal living barrier after looking at your site conditions.
Evergreen vs deciduous options
Evergreen trees give you privacy all year round since their foliage stays intact throughout the seasons. These trees create the foundation for most privacy screens and work as constant visual barriers in any season. Deciduous trees drop their leaves in winter but make up for it with beautiful seasonal changes - spring flowers and fall colors.
Cypress and arborvitae make excellent choices for complete screening. You might find deciduous options work well enough if you use your outdoor space mainly in warm months. These trees also attract pollinators. Many people get great results by mixing both types - evergreens create permanent structure while deciduous varieties add seasonal interest.
Fast-growing vs slow-growing trees
Growth rate plays a vital role in creating a privacy tree fence. Leyland Cypress can grow 2-3 feet each year, and Green Giant Arborvitae might shoot up 3-5 feet annually. These quick-growing trees give faster results but need more care and might not last as long.
Slow growers like Emerald Green Arborvitae (under 1 foot yearly) take their time but create thicker, stronger screens. These trees live longer and need less pruning, though they test your patience. You might want to start with larger trees if you need privacy right away, rather than waiting for small ones to grow.
Deer-resistant and low-maintenance varieties
No tree keeps deer away completely. Some species just taste less appealing to these persistent browsers. Deer stay away from trees with strong smells or unique textures. Pine, fir, and spruce trees naturally discourage browsing with their scent.
Trees that work well in deer-heavy areas:
- Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae (zones 5-9)
- Carolina Sapphire Cypress (zones 5-9)
- Blue Point Juniper (zones 4-9)
- Colorado Blue Spruce (zones 3-7)
These trees resist deer and handle drought well. They need minimal care once they're established.
Popular choices: Arborvitae, Juniper, Spruce
Some privacy trees stand out from the rest. Green Giant Arborvitae tops the popularity list - it grows 40-60 feet tall and 12-20 feet wide with little maintenance. Emerald Green Arborvitae fits smaller spaces better at 10-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide.
Italian Cypress creates stunning vertical lines, reaching 40-70 feet while staying slim at 3-20 feet wide. Spartan Juniper shows off attractive blue-green foliage and grows well in different soils.
Norway Spruce works great for cold-climate screens in zones 2-7, reaching 40-60 feet tall and 25-30 feet wide. Eastern White Pine grows fast at over 2 feet yearly, eventually becoming a magnificent screen 50-80 feet tall.
Browse our selection of privacy trees to find the perfect match for your area and conditions before making your choice.
How to Plant Privacy Trees Along a Fence
Your privacy trees need proper planting to ensure their long-term health along the fence line. Let me share techniques that will help your trees develop strong root systems, establish quickly and thrive.
Digging the right size hole
Tree planting fails most often because of holes that are too deep or narrow. Your privacy tree fence needs a hole two to three times wider than the root ball but matching the root ball height in depth. Roots need this extra width to expand while the right depth keeps the trunk flare above soil level.
Clay soil requires special attention to prevent "glazing" where smooth sides create a water barrier. A garden fork dragged along the completed hole's sides breaks up this glaze effectively. The center bottom should rise slightly so water disperses instead of collecting around roots.
Removing burlap and wire cages
Root development improves when you remove as much burlap and wire caging as possible. Your tree needs these steps:
- Remove all twine and wire from the trunk and top third of the root ball
- Container-grown trees need their pots removed before placement
- Fragile root balls need gradual material removal during backfilling to stay stable
- Remove synthetic or treated burlap completely since it takes decades to break down
These materials can stop roots from establishing properly and might destabilize your privacy tree fence.
Positioning and backfilling the tree
The most attractive privacy screen comes from placing each tree's best side toward your yard. Careful trunk-to-trunk measurements ensure even spacing along your fence.
A cultivator should gently scrape each root ball's sides to expose tiny roots that take in water and nutrients. Mix two parts excavated soil with one part compost for backfilling. Your hands should work the soil in gently - stepping on it compresses too much and limits oxygen that roots need.
Using mulch and fertilizer properly
Spread mulch 2-3 inches thick around each tree out to the drip line. Notwithstanding that, the mulch needs to stay 3-6 inches away from the trunk to avoid rot and disease. This layer helps keep moisture in, moderates soil temperature and fights weeds.
In stark comparison to this common belief, newly planted privacy trees don't need fertilizer for one to three years. Studies show that nitrogen at planting time actually hurts root growth instead of boosting it. Established trees do better with organic fertilizers than inorganic options.
These planting techniques will give your privacy tree fence strong roots and create the perfect living screen on your property.
Spacing and Placement Tips for a Living Fence
Your privacy fence project's success depends on proper tree spacing. Taking time to place trees correctly will reward you as your living fence grows.
How far apart to plant trees
Tree spacing varies based on the species you choose. Green Giant Arborvitae needs 5-8 feet of space to create a solid privacy screen. You can plant Emerald Green Arborvitae closer at 4 feet apart because they don't grow as wide. Leyland Cypress trees need 6-8 feet between them, while Eastern White Pine requires 20-30 feet. Many homeowners rush to plant trees too close together because they want instant privacy, but this leads to unhealthy crowding later.
Single row vs staggered double row
Limited spaces work well with a single row, but trees need closer spacing to avoid gaps. A staggered double row creates a natural-looking zigzag pattern that covers space faster. This "W" pattern results in a thicker hedge once mature. Trees in double rows should be 5-8 feet apart within each row, with the second row offset to fill the first row's gaps.
Planting near property lines
You should get your neighbor's approval before planting trees on shared property lines since these trees become joint property. The best practice places trees 3-4 feet from property lines to allow growth. Keep trees 10-15 feet away from your house's foundation and 4-5 feet from patios, fences, and structures. Local zoning rules might affect how far trees must be from roads and sidewalks.
Creating a natural privacy screen
A straight line of similar trees might look artificial and could fail completely if disease affects one variety. Groups of three, five, or other odd numbers of trees create better visual appeal. This method looks more natural while still blocking unwanted views. Different tree and shrub varieties increase biodiversity, create homes for helpful insects, and protect better against pests and diseases.
Watering and Caring for New Privacy Trees
Your privacy tree fence's survival depends on the first few years after planting. The right watering approach can mean the difference between healthy trees and getting pricey replacements.
Using soaker hoses and timers
Soaker hoses offer the best solution to water privacy trees along fence lines. They can irrigate larger areas more effectively than tree bags. Moisture lasts longer when these hoses sit under mulch. A connection to automatic timers automates the watering process and ensures your trees get consistent hydration.
How often to water in the first year
Container-grown trees need watering 1-2 times weekly at the time of the first month after planting. After this original period, each tree needs a weekly soaking of about 10 gallons. Larger trees need more water—add 10 gallons for each inch of trunk diameter over 2 inches. Deciduous trees need regular watering until their leaves fall, while evergreens need it until the soil freezes.
Pruning and shaping tips
Your newly planted privacy trees need minimal pruning—just remove dead or diseased branches. Make cuts outside the branch collar to protect the trunk from damage. Note that branches help trees produce and store food, so don't prune too much.
Common mistakes to avoid
Trees fail to establish mainly because of improper watering—either too much or too little. Keep string trimmers away from trunks. Don't fertilize too early or assume rainfall provides enough moisture. During dry spells, check soil moisture by pushing your finger a few inches into the soil before watering.
Conclusion
A living privacy screen along your fence adds beauty and function to your property. This piece explores every aspect of growing privacy trees that will last for years. Your site conditions need assessment before selecting trees. This will help you pick varieties that thrive in your environment.
Proper spacing is vital to success over time. Trees might look good at first when planted close together, but they struggle as they grow larger. The right planting techniques substantially boost establishment. You need to dig holes of the right size and remove packaging from root balls properly.
The first year is the most critical period for your privacy fence. Your trees need consistent water to develop strong roots that support future growth. Busy homeowners can use soaker hoses with timers. This is a great way to keep trees healthy without much effort.
Patience brings rewards when growing privacy trees. Quick-growing varieties give faster results, but all trees need time to create the screen you imagine. The beautiful natural barrier is worth the wait. It boosts your property value and gives you privacy.
This guide gives you the knowledge to turn your fence line into a living screen. Your tree border will block unwanted views. It creates wildlife habitat, cuts down noise, and brings beauty to your landscape for decades.
FAQs
Q1. How far apart should I plant privacy trees along my fence? The spacing depends on the tree species. For example, Green Giant Arborvitae should be planted 5-8 feet apart, while Emerald Green Arborvitae can be spaced 4 feet apart. Larger trees like Eastern White Pine need 20-30 feet between them. Always consider the mature width of the tree when deciding on spacing.
Q2. When is the best time to plant privacy trees? The ideal planting time depends on your climate and the type of tree. Generally, early spring or fall are good times to plant as the weather is milder and there's usually more rainfall. This allows trees to establish their root systems before facing extreme temperatures or drought conditions.
Q3. How often should I water newly planted privacy trees? In the first month after planting, water container-grown trees 1-2 times per week. After that, provide a weekly soaking of about 10 gallons per tree. Larger trees may need more water. Continue regular watering until leaves fall for deciduous trees or until the soil freezes for evergreens.
Q4. Do I need to fertilize my privacy trees right after planting? No, newly planted privacy trees don't require fertilization for one to three years after planting. In fact, applying nitrogen at planting can suppress root growth rather than enhance it. Once established, use organic fertilizers which are less harmful than inorganic alternatives.
Q5. What are some low-maintenance, deer-resistant privacy trees? Some popular deer-resistant and low-maintenance privacy trees include Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae, Carolina Sapphire Cypress, Blue Point Juniper, and Colorado Blue Spruce. These varieties not only discourage deer browsing but also offer excellent drought tolerance once established.