Let’s be honest—sometimes you need a little more privacy in your backyard, and waiting ten years for trees to grow just isn’t going to cut it. Whether it’s blocking out a neighbor’s second-story window or creating a quiet retreat from the street, fast-growing trees can give you that green wall surprisingly quick.
The good news? There are plenty of trees that shoot up fast and actually look great while doing it. Here are 22 options that’ll have you feeling like you’ve got your own private oasis in just a couple of years.
1.) Leyland Cypress
Leyland Cypress shoots up 3 to 4 feet per year, making it one of the fastest options for creating a solid privacy screen. These evergreen trees can reach 60 feet tall if left unpruned, but most homeowners trim them to a manageable 15 to 20 feet.
They grow best in zones 6-10 and adapt to most soil types as long as drainage is decent. Plant them in full sun and space about 6 to 8 feet apart for a thick hedge.
Water regularly during the first year to help roots establish, then they’re fairly low-maintenance.
2.) Thuja Green Giant
Thuja Green Giant lives up to its name by shooting up 3-5 feet per year until it reaches 30-40 feet tall. You’ll get a solid privacy screen faster than most other evergreens, and it stays green year-round without turning brown in winter.
It grows well in zones 5-8 and handles different soil types as long as drainage is decent. Plant them 5-6 feet apart for a thick hedge. Water regularly during the first year, then it pretty much takes care of itself with minimal pruning needed.
3.) Emerald Green Arborvitae
Emerald Green Arborvitae grows about 3-4 feet per year and reaches 12-14 feet tall, making it a solid choice for privacy hedges. The narrow, columnar shape means you can plant these closer together without taking up your whole yard.
These evergreens work well in zones 3-8 and handle cold winters without browning. Plant them in full sun with well-draining soil, spacing them 2-3 feet apart for a thick screen.
Water regularly during the first year to establish roots. After that, they’re pretty low-maintenance and keep their green color year-round.
4.) Lombardy Poplar
The Lombardy Poplar shoots up faster than almost any other tree, adding 6 feet or more each year. Its narrow, column-like shape makes it perfect for tight spaces where you need height without width. Plant several in a row, and you’ll have a tall privacy screen in no time.
These trees grow best in zones 3-9 and aren’t picky about soil. They need full sun and regular watering when young. Keep in mind they have a shorter lifespan than other trees, usually around 15-20 years, and their roots can be aggressive near foundations or pipes.
5.) Hybrid Willow
Hybrid willows can shoot up 6 to 12 feet per year, making them one of the fastest privacy screens you can plant. They grow in a tall, narrow shape that’s perfect for blocking sightlines without taking up much yard space.
These trees adapt to most soil types and thrive in zones 4-9. They need full sun and regular watering, especially during their first growing season.
Space them 5 feet apart for a dense privacy wall. The main downside is they need annual pruning to maintain their shape and prevent them from getting too wild.
6.) Italian Cypress
Italian Cypress trees shoot up fast, growing 3 feet per year to reach 40-60 feet tall while staying just 4-5 feet wide. Their narrow, columnar shape makes them perfect for tight spaces where you need a living wall without eating up your yard.
These evergreens thrive in zones 7-10 and prefer full sun with well-drained soil. They’re pretty drought-tolerant once established, so you won’t be stuck watering constantly.
Plant them 3-4 feet apart for a solid privacy screen that your neighbors won’t see through.
7.) Skip Laurel
Skip Laurel grows up to three feet per year, making it one of the faster options for creating a living wall between you and your neighbors. Its dense, evergreen foliage stays thick year-round, and the glossy leaves keep their color even in winter.
Plant it in full sun to partial shade and give it well-drained soil. It handles cold down to Zone 5 and heat up to Zone 9.
Prune once or twice a year to maintain the shape you want, and water regularly during the first growing season to help roots establish.
8.) Cryptomeria Radicans
Cryptomeria Radicans grows quickly, adding 3-4 feet per year until it reaches 30-40 feet tall. The soft, feathery evergreen foliage stays green year-round and forms a thick screen that neighbors can’t see through. You’ll get full privacy within 18-24 months when planted 4-5 feet apart.
Best suited for zones 6-9, this Japanese cedar handles different soil types as long as drainage is decent. Water regularly during the first two years to establish strong roots. After that, it pretty much takes care of itself with minimal pruning needed.
9.) Eastern White Pine
Eastern White Pine grows 3 feet per year when young, making it one of the fastest options for a privacy screen. The soft, bluish-green needles grow in clusters and create dense coverage once the tree matures. You can expect it to reach 50-80 feet tall over time.
Plant this evergreen in full sun and well-draining soil. It handles cold weather well in zones 3-8 but struggles in hot, dry climates. Water regularly during the first two years to help establish strong roots.
10.) Murray Cypress
Murray Cypress grows up to 3-4 feet per year, making it one of the fastest options for a living screen. It naturally forms a dense, columnar shape without much pruning, which means less maintenance for you.
Hardy in zones 6-9, this evergreen handles heat, cold, and drought once established. Plant them about 5 feet apart for a solid privacy wall. They prefer full sun and well-draining soil but aren’t picky about conditions. Expect your screen to reach 15-20 feet tall within just a few years.
11.) Nellie Stevens Holly
Nellie Stevens Holly grows 3 feet per year and reaches 15-25 feet tall, making it one of the faster options for privacy screening. The dense, dark green leaves stay on year-round, and you’ll get bright red berries in fall if you have both male and female plants nearby.
Plant in full sun to partial shade in zones 6-9. It handles different soil types well as long as drainage is decent. Water regularly during the first year, then it becomes pretty drought-tolerant once established.
12.) Spartan Juniper
Spartan Juniper shoots up fast, reaching 15-20 feet tall while staying narrow at just 3-5 feet wide. Its columnar shape makes it perfect for tight spaces along property lines where you need quick screening without taking up your whole yard.
These evergreens handle full sun and pretty much any soil type, even clay. They’re hardy in zones 4-9 and need almost no maintenance once established. Space them 3-4 feet apart for a solid privacy wall, and expect good height within two years of planting.
13.) Austree Hybrid Willow
The Austree Hybrid Willow shoots up 6 to 12 feet per year, making it one of the fastest-growing privacy options available. Plant several in a row with 5-foot spacing, and you’ll have a living fence before you know it.
These trees grow in hardiness zones 4-9 and aren’t picky about soil conditions. They need full sun and plenty of water, especially during their first few years. Regular pruning helps maintain their shape and keeps them from getting too wild.
Expect your mature trees to reach 35-50 feet tall with a nice, full canopy.
14.) Royal Empress Tree
The Royal Empress Tree shoots up faster than just about any other tree, growing 10-15 feet per year in the right conditions. Its large leaves create solid screening, and you’ll get purple flowers as a bonus each spring.
Plant it in full sun and well-drained soil in zones 5-9. This tree isn’t picky about soil type and handles drought once established.
Keep in mind it can be invasive in some areas, so check your local regulations before planting. Regular pruning helps control its spreading habit and keeps it looking tidy.
15.) Bald Cypress
Bald Cypress might seem like an odd choice since it’s a deciduous conifer, but it shoots up 3-5 feet per year when young. It naturally grows in swamps but adapts well to normal soil conditions, making it easier to care for than you’d think.
Grows best in Zones 4-10 and tolerates both wet and dry soils once established. The feathery foliage creates a soft screen during growing season. Plant them 10-15 feet apart for a solid privacy barrier.
Just know you’ll be raking up needles each fall since they drop seasonally.
16.) Dawn Redwood
Dawn Redwood is a deciduous conifer that can shoot up 3-4 feet per year, making it one of the fastest growers for screening purposes. It naturally forms a pyramid shape with feathery foliage that turns bronze-orange in fall.
Plant it in full sun and moist, well-drained soil for best results. It tolerates wet conditions better than most trees. Hardy in zones 4-8, it can eventually reach 70 feet tall, so give it plenty of space.
Water regularly during the first few years to establish strong roots. Once established, it’s fairly low-maintenance.
17.) River Birch
River Birch grows 2-3 feet per year and reaches 40-70 feet tall, making it a solid choice for privacy screening. The peeling, papery bark adds year-round interest to your yard. It’s one of the few birches that handles heat and humidity well.
Plant in full sun to partial shade in zones 4-9. River Birch tolerates wet soil better than most trees, so it’s perfect for those low spots in your yard. Water regularly during the first two years while it establishes roots.
18.) American Hornbeam
American Hornbeam grows at a moderate pace of 1-2 feet per year, so it won’t give you instant privacy but will fill in within a couple years. The tree reaches 20-30 feet tall with a similar spread, creating a dense screen once established. It handles shade better than most privacy trees and adapts to wet or dry soil.
You’ll find it thrives in zones 3-9 with minimal fuss. The leaves turn orange-red in fall, and the muscular-looking trunk adds winter interest. Prune lightly in late winter to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth.
19.) Weeping Willow
Weeping Willow brings fast privacy with its cascading branches that can grow up to 8 feet per year. The drooping foliage creates a natural curtain that blocks views quickly, though you’ll need plenty of space since these trees spread 35-40 feet wide.
Plant in full sun near a water source—these trees love moisture and do well in soggy areas where other trees struggle. They thrive in zones 6-8 and need regular watering during dry spells.
Keep in mind their aggressive roots can interfere with pipes and foundations, so plant at least 50 feet from structures.
20.) Arizona Cypress
Arizona Cypress grows up to 3 feet per year and reaches 40-50 feet tall, making it a solid choice for blocking out neighbors quickly. The silvery-blue foliage stays thick year-round and handles drought like a champ once established.
Plant in full sun and well-draining soil for best results. It thrives in zones 7-9 and needs minimal watering after the first year. Space trees 6-8 feet apart for a dense privacy screen.
The pyramid shape fills in naturally without much pruning, saving you weekend work.
21.) Wax Myrtle
Wax Myrtle grows 3-5 feet per year and reaches heights of 15-20 feet, making it a solid choice for screening out neighbors quickly. The evergreen leaves stay green year-round, and it handles poor soil, salt spray, and drought once established.
Plant it in full sun to partial shade in zones 7-11. You’ll get the fastest growth with regular watering during the first year. The dense foliage provides good coverage, and you can prune it into a hedge or let it grow naturally into a small tree.
22.) Red Cedar
Red Cedar grows quickly and fills in gaps between neighbors’ yards in about 18 months. These evergreen trees can shoot up 3-5 feet per year in the right conditions, making them solid choices for privacy screening.
They do well in zones 2-9 and aren’t picky about soil type. Red Cedars handle drought pretty well once established, so you won’t need to water them constantly. Plant them 6-8 feet apart for a thick privacy wall.
Watch out for bagworms in summer and remove them by hand if you spot any.