17 Tall And Narrow Trees For Privacy

It can be difficult to find trees that will provide privacy but not take up too much space. If you have a small yard, you may feel like you have to choose between privacy and staying within the bounds of your property.

So, whether you are looking to add a little extra privacy to your home or want to create a secluded oasis in your backyard, one of these trees is sure to fit the bill. Here are 17 of the best options for providing privacy without taking up too much space.

  1. Dawn Redwood
  2. Eastern Redcedar
  3. Eastern White Pine
  4. Emerald Green Thuja (Arborvitae)
  5. Flowering Dogwood
  6. Goldspire Ginkgo
  7. Green Giant Thuja (Arborvitae)
  8. Hybrid Willow Tree
  9. Japanese Pagoda Tree
  10. Lemon Bottlebrush
  11. Leyland Cypress
  12. Prunus serrulata ‘Amanogawa’
  13. Silver Maple and Red
  14. Sky Pencil Holly
  15. Spartan Juniper
  16. Tulip Tree
  17. Weeping Podocarpus

If you need some privacy in your life, one of these 17 tall and narrow trees could be just what you are looking for! These trees provide plenty of privacy without taking up too much space in your yard.

A thick emerald-green thuja on a cast iron fence, 17 Tall And Narrow Trees For Privacy

1. Dawn Redwood

Dawn redwoods are a good tree to plant in a garden because they grow 2 feet per year until reaching maturity at around 80 feet tall. This means that they will quickly grow to provide shade for gardens, and their height will help to deter trespassers.

Metasequoia tree in Hamburg

In addition, dawn redwoods have a shallow root system, which means that they will not damage garden beds when growing.

2. Eastern Redcedar

Green branch of juniperus virginiana or red cedar

Eastern redcedar is a hardy, evergreen tree that is native to North America. It is a popular choice for privacy hedges and windbreaks, as it grows quickly and can reach heights of 40 feet or more.

Additionally, eastern redcedar has a narrow, upright growth habit that makes it an excellent choice for small spaces.

3. Eastern White Pine

Eastern white pine trees

Eastern white pine grows very quickly, making it a great choice for a garden. It is also tolerant of a wide range of soils, making it easy to grow, and can reach up to 100 feet tall.

Eastern white pine is an evergreen, meaning it will keep its leaves all year long. This makes it a great choice for winter gardens, as it will add color and interest even when other plants are dormant.

4. Emerald Green Thuja (Arborvitae)

Cast iron fence with a thick emerald green thuja

Emerald green thuja is a tall and narrow tree that can grow up to 12-14 feet in height. It is a great choice for privacy screens, as it grows quickly and forms dense foliage. Emerald green thuja has soft, green needles that provide a lovely backdrop to other plants in your garden.

5. Flowering Dogwood

Full blooming Dogwood Tree in southern Virginia in the spring

The flowering dogwood is a tall and narrow tree that is perfect for privacy. It can grow up to 25 feet tall and has dense foliage that will obscure your view from the outside. The tree also has beautiful white flowers that will add a touch of elegance to your landscape.

6. Goldspire Ginkgo

This tree is a tall and slender one, growing up to 14-16 feet high. It has a beautiful green hue to its leaves and produces small fruits that are edible. The tree is also drought tolerant and does well in poor soils.

7. Green Giant Thuja (Arborvitae)

Thuja at the road in the summer

Green giant thuja (arborvitae) is a tall and narrow tree that is perfect for privacy. It grows up to 30 to 40 feet tall and has a narrow width, making it the perfect choice for planting in tight spaces. Green giant thuja is also resistant to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance option.

8. Hybrid Willow Tree

Hybrid weeping willow

The hybrid willow tree is a tall, narrow tree that is perfect for privacy. The hybrid willow tree is also known for its fast growth rate. The hybrid willow tree can grow up to 45 feet in height. It is a deciduous tree, meaning that it sheds its leaves in the fall.

Additionally, this tree is also drought-tolerant, making it a good choice for landscaping in dry climates. Hybrid willow trees are also resistant to pests and diseases. Hybrid willow trees are typically propagated by cuttings, but they can also be grown from seed.

9. Japanese Pagoda Tree

Japanese pagoda tree with old metal rusty railing

The Japanese Pagoda Tree is an excellent choice for gardens because it grows relatively quickly, 12 to 15 inches per year, reaching heights of up to 75 feet. It also has a wide footprint, making it an ideal shade tree. Additionally, the Japanese Pagoda Tree produces fragrant flowers in the springtime.

10. Lemon Bottlebrush

Lemon bottlebrush tree

The lemon bottlebrush is a great addition to gardens because of its bright, cheerful flowers. It blooms in the spring and summer, adding a splash of color to the garden.

Additionally, it is a fast-growing plant, reaching up to 25 feet tall eventually growing 10 to 15 inches per year. This makes it a good choice for screening or privacy hedges.

11. Leyland Cypress

Leyland cypress

Leyland cypress trees are tall, evergreen trees that are often used for privacy hedges or windbreaks. They are fast-growing trees that can reach up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide.

Leyland cypress trees have long, narrow leaves that are dark green in color. The trees are drought-tolerant and can thrive in a variety of soil types. Leyland cypress trees are also resistant to many common pests and diseases.

12. Prunus serrulata ‘Amanogawa’

Flowering amanogawa

Amanogawa’ is a beautiful flowering tree that originates from Japan. It has a height of 25 feet but only a width of 10 feet, making it the perfect size for smaller gardens. The tree blooms with delicate pink flowers in the springtime.

13. Silver Maple and Red Maple

Red maple tree

Silver maples and red maples are two of the best tall and narrow trees for privacy. They are both fast-growing and have a dense canopy, making them ideal for creating a privacy screen. In addition, they are both tolerant of a wide range of conditions, including wind, salt, and drought.

As a result, they are well-suited to a variety of climates and locations. Silver maples carry silver leaves making them highly reflective, which can help to bounce light back into your yard or garden. Red maples, on the other hand, have brilliant red leaves that provide year-round color.

14. Sky Pencil Holly

Sky pencil holly (Ilex crenata) is a narrow, upright tree that grows 8 to 10 feet tall with a spread of 2 feet. It has small, dark green leaves and produces red berries in the fall. This tree is a good choice for use as a privacy screen or windbreak.

15. Spartan Juniper

Spartan juniper branches

If you're looking for a tall and narrow tree to provide privacy for your home, the Spartan juniper is an excellent choice. This hardy evergreen can reach heights of 15 feet or more, making it one of the tallest junipers available.

And with a slender trunk and pyramidal shape, the Spartan juniper is well suited for small spaces.

In addition to its good looks, the Spartan juniper is also low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. Once established, it requires little watering or pruning. If you're looking for a fast-growing tree that will provide years of trouble-free enjoyment, the Spartan juniper is an excellent choice.

16. Tulip Tree

Summer foliage of a deciduous tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)

The tulip tree is a great addition to gardens because it grows quickly, reaching heights of 15 to 18 inches per year. Additionally, it is drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance.

17. Weeping Podocarpus

Evergreen conifer weeping totara tree

Weeping podocarpus is a tall and narrow tree that is perfect for privacy. It grows 35-45 feet tall and has dense foliage that will obscure the view of anyone on the other side. This tree also has weeping branches, which give it a graceful appearance.

Final Thoughts

While these tall and narrow trees may be the perfect solution for your privacy needs, they are not without their drawbacks. Before you make a decision on whether or not to plant one of these trees in your yard, take into account all of the pros and cons. 

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