Do you have trees in your garden that lose their leaves so quickly in one season that your once-private space suddenly feels completely exposed and awfully empty?
Well, don’t you worry because I’ve got the perfect solution for this problem!
In today’s article, let’s discuss a long list of beautiful trees that don’t shed leaves and will protect the privacy of your garden for decades to come. Trust me, a few of the picks might honestly surprise you!
Why Choose Evergreen Trees For Privacy Screens? It’s Simple!
If privacy in the garden is a priority for you, it may be a good idea to only grow evergreen trees in there. These trees tend to grow denser and bushier with minimal leaf shedding.
Unlike other trees that may shed leaves at some point in the year, and leave the garden exposed with gaps for people to peek into, evergreen trees ensure privacy all year round as long as you maintain them properly.
Evergreen Trees That Don’t Lose Leaves
1: Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja Occidentalis)
This dense and fast-growing evergreen tree has a very unique pyramidal growth habit. It grows tall (up to 10-15 meters), and its leaf density ensures nobody is able to peek into your garden and breach your privacy.
2: Western Redcedar (Thuja Plicata)
If you live in a region where it rains a lot and the soil is always wet and soggy, the Western redcedar may be the perfect choice for you. This evergreen tree can reach heights of up to 70 meters and grow dense enough to safeguard your garden’s privacy for many years.
3: English Yew (Taxus Baccata)
The English yew is a solid formal screen to bring a high level of privacy to your garden. Although this evergreen tree is slower growing, you can plant it in shade and not worry about stunted growth or other problems.
Just be careful not to let pets digest any part of this tree, as it can be very toxic.
4: Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus Virginiana)
After the Western redcedar, the Eastern redcedar is in line. This one is similarly dense and grows fairly tall (6-12 meters). The Eastern redcedar can thrive in periods of dryness thanks to its drought-tolerant nature, and it’s also decently tolerant of poor soils.
5: Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis)
Like the Eastern arborvitae, Eastern hemlocks have a pyramidal growth habit. They can grow fairly dense and tall, making them a solid choice for garden privacy screening.
The only thing that may bother you is how susceptible these trees are to hemlock woolly adelgid pests. You’ll definitely need to get some pest protection protocols in place to keep this evergreen tree safe.
6: Southern Live Oak (Quercus Virginiana)
The Southern live oak is a very popular evergreen oak variety. Not only does it grow dense enough to bring a solid layer of privacy to your garden, but also provides natural shade that can protect other plants from the harsh sun.
In addition to this, the Southern live oak is also drought-resistant once established, and its deep roots allow the tree to survive long periods of dryness without causing too much trouble.
7: Arborvitae (The Green Giant)
True to its name, the Arborvitae can grow up to 15-20 meters tall in a pyramidal shape similar to the Eastern hemlock. This evergreen tree is perfect for planting around the edges of your garden to act as a tall privacy barrier.
8: Holly (Ilex Spp.)
This evergreen tree offers very unique glossy foliage that grows both dense and broad. Although extremely tall growth isn’t guaranteed with this one, it can still grow fairly tall, and its low-maintenance nature allows the tree to reach new heights without excessive overhead monitoring.
9: Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis Leylandii)
The Leyland cypress is an incredible grower. It can provide tall screens in your garden in less than five years, but it does need some pruning and regular trimming to keep in shape.
10: Boxwood (Buxus Spp.)
Although boxwood is technically an evergreen shrubs, not true trees, it still gives off a tree-like appearance, especially when allowed to grow taller.
Its leaves aren’t as big or wide but the evergreen tree makes up for it by growing very dense and acting as a formal hedge, helping to protect the garden from unwanted peepers.
11: Wax Myrtle (Morella Cerifera)
Once again, wax myrtle is technically a large evergreen shrub, but when left unpruned, it can easily grow into a small tree.
Still, it is perfect for warm climates. It can go long periods without needing water and grow rapidly if the soil is dry. Wax myrtles are also known for their fragrant foliage, the sweet smell of which can fill up the garden and make the space more inviting.
Let’s Conclude
If you’ve always struggled with maintaining privacy in your garden because your trees randomly decide to shed mid-summer when everyone is over for a BBQ in the backyard, evergreen trees are the solution for you!
These don’t shed leaves as rapidly, can grow super tall and dense, and provide a privacy screen, allowing you to enjoy garden time without having random folks stare at your soul while passing by.
