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If you want a lawn or patio of your own, planting trees to create a privacy shield is the best idea. By planting privacy trees, you will be able to enjoy the place of yourself with a lush green natural fence. The best thing is it stays for several years and gives a natural shield against heat too.
When you are looking for what to plant in your garden for privacy, make sure to pick fast-growing trees which are easy to maintain, evergreen, and tall. It is also important to select the trees according to your area size, the amount of sun your area gets, and the type of soil in your garden.
If you are too confused about what varieties to look for, here are the best 11 fast-growing trees uk to plant in your garden to get some privacy.
1. Leyland Cypress
Leyland cypress is one of the most popular fast-growing trees for your garden screening and privacy. It gives a solid, full coverage when planted in a row by creating a mass of branches that works as a screening for wind, noise, and snow. As it is a fast-growing tree, it can reach its maximum height in 15 years; regular pruning is recommended to keep it in control.
It can tolerate drought, pests, salt air, and even air pollution, and that is why it is pretty low on maintenance. They grow best in large, well-drained yard where it gets at least 6 hours of sun. The only thing they do not go well is extreme heat because of their shallow root system.
2. Green Giant Thuja (Arborvitae)
Green Giant Thuja is widely used in backyards for privacy. They have a uniform cone shape and a consistent growth rate with thick and soft foliage. That is why they can keep themselves tidy without regular pruning. They are fast-growing and cold-hardy, making them suitable for the UK climate.
Just plant them in well-draining soil, and they are good to grow by themselves. They only need four hours of direct sunlight per day to grow to their full glory. Just plant them at a distance of 5 to 6 feet from each other at borders to create a dense barrier. They are the best choice for rapid coverage in large gardens.
3. Dogwood
Height – 15 to 25 feet
Dogwood is a beautiful screening tree famous for its gorgeous, showy flowers during spring. The flowers may just appear for a month or two, but the trees look beautiful in your garden all year round. It has glossy green leaves that turn crimson during fall, and they are adorned with red edible berries later in the year, which attracts pollinators.
It does not do well in too much heat, so plant it in a partially shaded area and water it weekly for the best growth. Dogwood can be planted strategically for spot coverage too. With its dramatic look and shape all year round, you will never get bored of spending time in your outdoor space.
4. Wax Myrtle
Height – 15 to 20 feet
The speed at which Wax Myrtle grows each year is unbeatable, which is between 3 to 5 feet each year. Despite its fast-growing nature, it is not too big to plant in your medium-sized backyard. It does create a dense wall but is also compact. You can plant them in rows for a screen or just plant two of them side by side to block the sitting area view.
It does not need much of your attention to grow well, but they prefer to be planted in slightly acidic, well-draining soil. It is loved for its fragrance and olive green leaves, which rest on a grey trunk. Small flowers bloom in spring and produce clusters of greyish-white fruits in winter, which are loved by birds.
5. Eastern Red Cedar
Eastern Red Cedar is an evergreen plant that looks rugged and provides full coverage for private yard screening. They have to spreading, prickly leaves on young shoots and scale-like leaves on the mature branches, which have year-round effectiveness. It has a red, aromatic bark that gives your backyard an earthy vibe with its fragrance and is a great attraction to birds and pollinators.
If you have a big backyard, this is the best option to go for. Plant them in a row for a screen, but make sure to keep a distance of about 20 feet to give them enough space to grow in their full glory. It can tolerate extremes of cold of up to -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Silver Maple
Silver Maple is one of the fastest-growing trees. Its leaves are grey on the top and silvery white on the bottom, which gives away a silvery shine when they blow in the breeze, hence the name. They have a vigorous root system, so plant them a little far from foundations, sewer systems, or sidewalks.
They can tolerate all various types of soil but prefers moist, acidic soil. It is quite tough of a plant and can stand upright through droughts and floods. It grows in a vase shape and builds a strong, thick trunk. It is quite a sight in spring with clusters of red, yellow, and silver flowers.
7. Bamboo
Though not particularly a tree, Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. It can grow a foot not in a month but in a day. Bamboos are low on maintenance and can be effectively used to create a dense and natural wall around your garden.
They are very easy to grow and need minimal maintenance. Its stems and leaves grow in green colour but change to goldish yellow over some time. They add a rustic, Asian vibe to your garden.
8. Weeping Willow
Weeping willows are known for their slender arching branches. They add a lot of drama to your garden with their delicate weeping branches that can touch the ground. But it is suggested to plant only when you have an extensive garden space because they can grow pretty big, and their roots expand underground very aggressively.
Plant weeping willows are far from other plants because their roots can interfere with their drains and foundations. They love moist soil and are most suitable for lake gardens. Prune the dead branches in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth.
9. Spartan Juniper
Spartan juniper is a robust, hardy, fast-growing tree that can happily grow in any condition, at any place, with high tolerance against heat, cold, and drought. They are the best trees to grow for privacy in small spaced gardens. It is conical in shape, with dark green foliage that pops with silvery blue berries from late spring to late winter.
They seldom ask for irrigation or fertilizer, but it best grows in full sun and can be pruned once a year after winter for shaping. They fill out space right from the ground, so no front cover is needed. All in all, they are the best fast-growing trees uk in urban areas where the space is compact, and the air is polluted.
10. Emerald Green Arborvitae
Height – 12 to 15 feet
This one is a cousin of giant thuja and is the best choice for urban gardens, which are usually compact in space as they have a controlled growth of up to 9 inches each year. These classic beauties are slender in shape but should be planted at least 2 feet apart from each other. They give a very contemporary look to your garden while also giving you privacy.
They grow best in full to partial sun, getting three to six hours of sunlight every day. They are very adaptive to climate and can tolerate snow, ice, or drought. They are easy to maintain and do not need to be pruned regularly.
11. Eastern White Pine
Height – 70 to 80 feet
Eastern white pine is one of the most elegant and fast-growing trees you can plant in your garden. It is very attractive with Its long graceful branches and silky needles that have a very fine texture. It works perfectly as a shade tree because of its rounded pyramid-like shape.
These are the same trees that are widely used for outdoor Christmas decoration. They do not grow well in urban environments where there are a lot of pollutants in the air and soil. They are huge, so they do not like compact clay soils. It grows very quickly to take their huge form, so prune them at regular intervals if you want to keep their height controlled.
Final Thoughts
Having your space all to yourself, without interruptions from outsiders or passersby, is a very safe and homely feeling. Natural screenings are a way better option than installing a fibre screen or building concrete walls around your lawn. They are evergreen and will keep you and your family surrounded by natural beauty for many years to come.
These 11 fast-growing trees will maintain your garden privacy very effectively, but make sure not to block natural sunlight or air ventilation by overdoing it. These trees are very hardy and can thrive in most situations, so they won’t ask for much of your time after establishing.
So, if you are constantly bothered by your house garden being surrounded by prying eyes, you know what to do!
