Do you need to spruce up your backyard with a privacy fence without sacrificing aesthetic appeal? Evergreens can provide a lush and colorful accent for the yard while offering protection from prying eyes.

You can choose from a wide variety of evergreen shrubs and trees to create a natural barrier between you and the outside world. Below, Rocklin’s tree service experts from Ace Tree Service explore some of the top evergreens for privacy to help you choose the best one for your needs. 

Boxwood

Boxwoods are excellent for hedges but are also popular for a topiary. They respond greatly to pruning and shaping, and their small, evergreen leaves stay neat when clipped.

This tree varies in size, depending on species, and it thrives in USDA growing zones 6-8 in full sun to partial shade. You might want to choose Korean boxwood over the English varieties for its exceptional hardiness. 

Eastern Red Cedar

A notable attribute of eastern red cedar is its exceptional adaptability. It can grow on dry, rocky slopes and at swamp edges. This densely branched juniper can also thrive as rural windbreaks and urban screens. 

It features rich green summer foliage that turns ruddy brown-green in winter. Eastern red cedars thrive in zone 2-9 and prefer well-drained soil and full sun. They can grow up to 50 feet tall. 

American or Japanese Holly

Holly trees are other excellent evergreens for privacy. They are ideal for tight areas as they can grow narrowly and allow easy pruning to maintain their shape. Another advantage of planting these trees is that their red berries in winter contrast nicely with the snow. 

The Japanese holly is a minimalist tree that grows up to three feet wide and reaches a mature height of ten feet. The moderate grower thrives in zones 5-9 and requires minimal pruning. 

If you prefer something bigger, go for the American holly. While it’s also a moderate grower, it can reach  30 feet wide and 50 feet high over time. 

Arborvitae ‘Green Giant’

Arborvitae ‘Green Giant’ is a fast-growing evergreen conifer, making it an excellent option for privacy. The thick, dense evergreen thrives in fertile, well-drained, and moist soils. 

Its thick, green foliage offers impressive privacy. Besides, it can be the perfect backdrop for other flowering shrub varieties.  

Arborvitae ‘Green Giant’ can reach six to ten feet high, providing an excellent screen from neighboring properties. 

Variegated Japanese Laurel

Variegated Japanese Laurel features leathery pale bright green leaves speckled with yellow variegation. While it thrives in moist soils, it can withstand periodic dry spells. 

Variegated Japanese Laurel grows in zones 7-10 and prefers shady areas. It can spread three to five feet and reach six to nine feet high. You can prune this slow grower in early spring to summer. 

Contact Your Local Tree Experts for Assistance

If you need professional help choosing the best evergreens for privacy, the experts at Ace Tree Service can help. Our services include:

• Tree removal and stump grinding
• Tree pruning and trimming 
• Tree planting

Contact our experts at Ace Tree Service at (916) 934-3204 to request an estimate or to learn about burned trees and other common tree problems.