When privacy is the goal, tall evergreen trees that grow quickly are essential. This guide highlights top tall green privacy trees suitable for American landscapes, with clear pros for each buyer type. Choose these for quick screens, mature privacy borders, or year-round foliage. The selections prioritize fast growth, dense foliage, and adaptable size management to suit yards of different shapes and exposures.
Summary table of selected products
| Product | Best For | Estimated Size At Maturity |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft. Tall 8-Pack | Immediate privacy, small spaces | Up to 60 ft tall, 20 ft wide |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 3 Gallon | Rapid privacy screens, mature look | 40 ft tall, 20 ft wide |
| 20 Emerald Green Arborvitae Trees/Shrubs (6-12″) | Instant privacy from a dense hedge | Dense screen year-round |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 1 Gallon 5-Pack | Versatile privacy with easy care | Up to 60 ft tall, 20 ft wide |
| 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae (7-10 in) | Starter privacy from potted plants | 3 ft per year growth, hardy zones 5-9 |
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft. Tall 8-Pack
The Thuja Green Giant is recognized as a premier fast-growing privacy tree in much of the United States. This 8-pack provides immediate screening with dense, dark green foliage and a broad pyramidal shape. Best for homeowners seeking a substantial visual barrier quickly and who want an evergreen hedge that can be pruned to maintain a preferred size.
Best for: small to medium yards needing quick, long-lasting privacy. Better for: those who want a ready-to-plant solution with multiple specimens to establish a screen fast. Choose this if you want a natural evergreen that can form a tall, lush barrier over time. Caution: mature height can reach up to 60 ft and width up to 20 ft, so plan space accordingly.
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 3 Gallon
This 3-gallon Thuja Green Giant is ideal for rapid privacy with annual growth around 3 feet and a mature size up to 40 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It serves well as a dense screen or a living frame for gardens. The product notes some shipping constraints to CA or AZ due to state law, so plan accordingly.
Best for: larger privacy projects that require faster vertical reach and a strong, evergreen presence. Better for: landscapes needing a dramatic but natural screen within a few seasons. Choose this if you want a robust, tall evergreen that can form a dense backdrop with minimal pruning. Caution: CA and AZ shipments may be restricted, requiring order cancellation if applicable.
20 Emerald Green Arborvitae Trees/Shrubs
This 20-pack of Emerald Green Arborvitaes provides instant privacy and a simple, dense screen that remains elegant year-round. The plants are sold at approximately 6-12″ tall and ship bareroot, delivering a compact choice for a fast-growing hedge without heavy initial planting. The natural pyramid shape minimizes pruning needs, delivering a professional privacy look with minimal effort.
Best for: homeowners wanting a large, immediate screen without waiting for each plant to mature. Better for: those who prefer a uniform, neatly shaped hedge with low maintenance. Choose this if you desire a ready-to-create privacy wall that becomes denser as it grows. Caution: bareroot plants may take time to establish, and initial watering is important to support root growth.
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 1 Gallon 5-Pack
This 5-pack of 1-gallon Thuja Green Giant provides a versatile option for privacy that can grow up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide at full maturity. The dense, dark-green foliage is characteristic of the species, contributing to a lush, evergreen backdrop. The package design makes it convenient for phased planting or incremental privacy growth, suitable for smaller yards or fences.
Best for: gardeners seeking a flexible starter set to build a privacy screen over time. Better for: those who want manageable plants that can be spaced to progress into a fuller hedge. Choose this if you prefer incremental planting with scalable privacy. Caution: growth can be vigorous; monitor spacing to prevent overcrowding as they expand.
10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae (7-10 inches)
Shipped as potted plants, these young Thuja Green Giants offer rapid growth at about 3 feet per year, suitable for hardy zones 5-9. This option is best for buyers who want to jumpstart a privacy screen with established potted specimens that are ready for planting. It balances speed with manageability, allowing customization of spacing for a tailored hedge.
Best for: buyers needing quick impact from a small batch of established plants. Better for: those who want predictable growth and an adaptable layout as the screen matures. Choose this if you want to start a vertical privacy barrier without waiting for seeds or bare-root stock. Caution: ensure your planting site matches the zones listed for optimal growth.
Buying Guide
- Growth rate vs. final height: Consider how quickly you need privacy and the space you have. Thuja Green Giant varieties offer fast growth and tall final height, while Emerald Green Arborvitae provides a dense, compact screen with less eventual height if pruned.
- Initial plant size and installation: Larger starts (potted 3-gallon or 10-inch tall) establish faster but require more upfront space and soil preparation. Bare-root or smaller starts are cheaper but take longer to reach full screening.
- -soil and site considerations: Most of these evergreen screens prefer well-drained soil and full sun. Ensure the chosen species tolerates your climate zones and soil conditions.
- Maintenance needs: Dense evergreen screens may require pruning to maintain shape and prevent overcrowding. Some varieties tolerate minimal pruning, while others grow vigorously and may need regular trimming.
- Privacy goals: For instant screening, bulk plantings (like 20-pack options) provide immediate impact. For phased privacy, select smaller packs and space plants to create a dense grow-in.
- Placement strategy: Plant in straight rows for a uniform wall, or staggered patterns for a natural, varied screen. Consider wind exposure and sun path when choosing varieties.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the fastest-growing tall privacy tree among these options? The Thuja Green Giant varieties are among the fastest, capable of significant height within several seasons when planted with proper spacing and care.
- Do these trees require a lot of maintenance? Some selections, like Emerald Green Arborvitae, require less pruning, while fast-growing Thuja can need occasional shaping to maintain form and prevent overcrowding.
- Are there any shipping restrictions to be aware of? Some listings note restrictions to certain states (e.g., CA or AZ) for live plants. Verify delivery eligibility at checkout.
- Can I use these trees for a windbreak? Yes. Dense evergreen screens make effective windbreaks when planted in multiple rows with appropriate spacing.
- What spacing is recommended for privacy hedges? Spacing varies by species, but expect closer spacing for faster screen development and wider spacing as trees mature to prevent crowding.
- Do these trees require irrigation after planting? All evergreen plantings benefit from regular watering during establishment, especially in hot or dry seasons.