The 19 Fastest-Growing Privacy Trees (and How Long Each Takes)

Having privacy is a hot commodity. No one wants to feel like strangers are peering into their homes at all hours of the day. Without privacy, it sort of feels like the entire world can keep tabs on what you’re doing. This is especially problematic for people who live in homes with loads of windows or walls made of glass. Privacy trees grow incredibly tall with their wide branches to make sure no one can see into your house or onto your property. Another huge benefit that comes along with privacy trees is that they provide tons of shade.

When you’re spending time outside your home walking your dog, having picnics, or admiring flowers in your garden, it’s pleasant to have large trees blocking the harsh UV rays of the sun from up above. In some of the wealthiest and most upscale communities, privacy trees are absolutely essential. Celebrities and high-profile people who don’t want to be caught on camera by paparazzi will opt for privacy trees surrounding their entire homes. You don’t have to be rich and famous to benefit from all the wonders privacy trees offer, though. It’s possible to grow them in front of your own home, no matter how well-known you are. These are some of the fastest-growing privacy trees to choose from, plus how fast each one actually grows.

The Leyland Cypress is One of the Fastest-Growing Privacy Trees

If you’re looking for a privacy tree that will grow to be at least 70 feet tall at the bare minimum, the Leyland Cypress tree is a wonderful option to consider. It grows far faster than other trees at a speedy rate of one to three feet per year. While other trees only grow by inches every 12 months, this tree species blows tits competitors of the water. The Leyland Cypress tree does need a little extra attention with regular pruning sessions.

The Dawn Redwood is One of the Fastest-Growing Privacy Trees

Dawn redwood trees are majestic in a way that may remind you of royalty. Their size is impressive, and it’s hard to deny their elegance. Until they reach total maturity, they grow about two feet per year. By the time they’re finished growing completely, they’ll reach 80 feet into the sky. During the fall season, you’ll notice the needles of your Dawn Redwood turning brown or red before falling off.

The Southern Catalpa is One of the Fastest-Growing Privacy Trees

The southern catalpa tree is A wonderful privacy tree to plant due to how quickly it grows. You can expect to see 12 to 15 inches of growth every single year. By the time it’s done stretching, it’ll be about 40 feet tall and wide. During the spring season, Southern Catalpa trees produce breathtaking white flowers that add to the seasonal ambiance. After the flowers bloom, messy slender seed pods follow. Since that’s the case, these trees do well when planted in the backyard rather than the front yard.

The Lemon Bottlebrush is One of the Fastest-Growing Privacy Trees

The Lemon Bottlebrush tree is a fast-growing privacy tree that also offers true beauty in its aesthetic. Every year, you can expect it to grow 10 to 15 inches. Ultimately, it only stretches to be about 25 feet tall. Depending on your needs, that might not be as high as you’d like. If 25 feet is just enough for you, though, the red flowers that bloom on Lemon Bottlebrushes are totally worthwhile. Since their red blooms attract hummingbirds, this tree will remind you of the spring season all the time.

The Holly is One of the Fastest-Growing Privacy Trees

When you think of holly, Christmas time might come to mind. Right now, though, we’re talking about the Holly Tree. This beautiful privacy tree grows to be 25 feet tall and 15 feet wide, according to FastestGrowingTrees. This tree has an astonishing growth rate of 10 feet per year. As soon as it’s planted in nature, it’s ready to start shooting up towards the sky to reach its final level of maturity.

The Cottonwood Tree

Cottonwood trees do best when they’re growing near bodies of water like rivers and lakes. If you choose to plant a Cottonwood tree near your home, you’ll notice that it grows quite rapidly compared to alternative options. Every year, it will shoot up about three to four feet! It will keep growing at that rate each year until it reaches 70 feet in total. To ensure the success of a Cottonwood tree, you’ll want to plant it in well-drained soil.

The Eastern White Pine Tree

You can get all the privacy you need by planting Eastern White Pine Trees around your home. Every single year, they grow around 12 to 15 inches. In total, they can reach up to 100 feet tall, which is incredibly impressive! They’ve got elegant-looking branches and fine texture needles to admire. Eastern White Pine trees love to grow in full sunlight.

The Multiplex Bamboo Tree

The Multiplex Bamboo tree grows to be 30 feet tall and six feet wide. One of the reasons it’s so splendid and noteworthy is that it has one of the fastest growth rates of any other tree. It grows at a rate of 10 feet per year! This means you can expect to enjoy your Multiplex Bamboo tree at its full size after only three short years.

Japanese Pagoda Tree

The Japanese Pagoda tree is your best bet if you’re hoping for a tree that doesn’t take up too much of your time. Some trees require more energy than others when it comes to the care and treatment they require. The Japanese Pagoda tree is very low-key and grows 12 to 15 inches annually. In the end, it can reach up to 75 feet tall and wide. It produces stunning flowers during the summer, which adds to its allure.

Chinese Tallow Tree

Chinese Tallow trees grow 12 to 18 inches per year and ultimately tap out when they reach 40 feet into the sky. On top of providing an abundance of privacy to you and your home, these gorgeous trees also produce fruit and flowers. Fruit is delicious to eat and flowers are lovely to look at. For these reasons, the Chinese Tallow tree is one of the best privacy tree options to consider.

The Tulip Tree

Although tulip trees don’t actually sprout tulip flowers, what they sprout is close enough. Their unusual leaves are shaped just like the silhouette of tulip flowers, making them some of the most fabulous privacy trees on this list. The yellow fall foliage is spectacular. These trees will remind you of art drawn by Bob Ross. Tulip trees grow 15 to 18 inches per year and can eventually reach 100 feet into the sky. Unfortunately, the wood of tulip trees isn’t exactly the strongest, so you’ll have to be careful when planting them.

The Wax Myrtle Tree

The Wax Myrtle tree brings so much more to the table than just privacy. Although creating a true sense of privacy may be your ultimate goal, the Wax Myrtle tree also provides fresh scents and wonderful aromas. The leaves and berries that bloom on Wax Myrtle trees are blissfully fragrant. These trees grow at a rate of three to five feet per year and reach 15 feet by the time they’re done growing.

The Bald Cypress Tree

If you live in an area with lots of wetland or swampiness, the Bald Cypress tree may make the most sense for you. These trees do especially well around standing water without any negative impact. They will grow 18 to 24 inches per year until they reach 100 feet in height and 40 feet in width. The foliage on a bald cypress tree typically turns red during the fall season before falling off.

The Willow Hybrid Tree

The Willow Hybrid tree grows to be 75 feet tall and 10 feet wide after growing four to six feet every single year. Since Willow Hybrid trees can handle just about any climate or weather condition, they are some of the best options to be planted around your home. It doesn’t matter where you live or what kind of weather you face on a regular basis when you have a Willow Hybrid tree on your property.

The Gum Tree

Gum trees grow a lot faster than other trees that only progress by mere inches each year. Gum trees actually grow two to three feet every 12 months. Interestingly, they end in a vastly wide range. Some Gum trees will only reach to 25 feet, while others can make it all the way up to 70 feet. The treatment and care that goes into your particular Gum tree makes a difference in the way it turns out. These types of trees don’t fare well in humid areas or places with super hot weather.

The Thuja Green Giant Tree

With a name like the Thuja Green Giant, it’s obvious that this tree has a lot to offer in terms of its height. It grows to be 50 feet tall and 15 feet wide, which is absolutely magnificent. You can expect it to grow three to five feet each year if it’s planted in nutrient-rich, moist soil. These trees serve as lovely backdrops along your landscape and pair well with any traditional fencing you might arrange around your home.

Silver Maple and Red Maple Trees

Silver Maple and Red Maple trees are privacy trees that eventually grow to be significantly tall when they reach maturity. Silver Maple trees can reach up to 100 feet tall and 70 feet wide, while Red Maple trees grow to be 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Although Red Maple trees are about half the size of Silver Maple trees, they still deserve to be mentioned. These trees offer an abundance of shade and privacy wherever they are planted.

The European Black Alder Trees

European Black Alder trees will give you all the privacy you need if you choose to plant them around your home. They grow 12 to 15 inches per year and usually tap out between 40 and 60 feet in height. When it comes to their width, you can expect your European Black Alder tree to grow about 20 to 40 feet wide. These trees shouldn’t be planted near any sewer lines or sidewalks since they have extensive root systems that stretch super far. We’re talking about root systems that expand more than 16 feet.

The Spartan Juniper Tree

Although the Spartan Juniper tree doesn’t climb as high as other trees on this list, it is still worthy of acknowledgment. It grows one to two feet per year and ultimately ends at 20 feet tall and five feet wide. The reason it’s still such a monumental tree is that it’s highly resistant to extreme weather. Whether we’re referring to hot temperatures or cold temperatures, this tree can handle it. The dense branches stay tight to the trees trunk and can be properly shaped by professional gardeners.