Want privacy in the next couple of years instead of waiting a decade? Four evergreens do the job better than any fence: Taylor Juniper, Leyland Cypress, Emerald Green Arborvitae and Green Giant Arborvitae.
A fence blocks a view the day it goes up, but it never gets nicer with age. A living screen does. It softens noise, breaks the wind, gives birds a home, and stays green through winter when the neighbors’ deciduous trees go bare. Fall is also one of the best times to plant: cooler air and warm soil let roots settle in before the ground freezes, so the trees put their energy into growth the following spring.
Each of these four fits a different yard. Here is how to pick the right one.
The Four Trees at a Glance
Green Giant is the biggest and fastest, Emerald Green is the tidiest, Taylor Juniper is the slimmest, and Leyland Cypress is the quickest to fill a warm-climate property.
| Tree | Mature height | Mature width | Growth per year | Hardiness zones | Best for |
| Taylor Juniper | 25 ft | 4 ft | Medium | 4-8 | Narrow spaces, dry or poor soil, full sun |
| Leyland Cypress | 50-70 ft | 10-15 ft | 3-4 ft | 6-10 | Large properties, fast screens in mild climates |
| Emerald Green Arborvitae | 12-15 ft | 3-4 ft | 1-2 ft | 3-8 | Small yards, formal hedges, cold climates |
| Green Giant Arborvitae | 40-60 ft | 12-18 ft | 3-5 ft | 5-8 | Large lots, windbreaks, deer-prone areas |
Taylor Juniper: The Slim, Tough Column
Taylor Juniper is the answer when you need real height without giving up much yard. It grows about 25 feet tall but only around 4 feet wide, in a dense, upright column of silvery blue-green foliage that looks sharp year-round.
It is also one of the toughest trees on this list. It adapts to dry or moist soil and any pH, handles zones 4 through 8, and deer usually leave it alone. It does need full sun and cannot tolerate standing water, so skip the soggy corners. With a medium growth rate and a lifespan of 70 years or more, it is a planting you will not have to redo.
Best for: side-yard strips, tight property lines, pool and patio edges, and anywhere a wide tree will not fit.
Leyland Cypress: Speed for Big Spaces
If you want a tall, feathery screen in a hurry, Leyland Cypress delivers. It adds roughly 3 to 4 feet a year and can reach 50 to 70 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide, with soft blue-green foliage that gives a full, natural look.
It performs best in full sun, well-drained soil and mild climates (zones 6-10). Plant it 10 to 12 feet apart so each tree has room to breathe, and expect to trim now and then to keep the width in check. Good spacing and drainage also matter for long-term health, since Leylands are somewhat susceptible to fungal issues, particularly when young, so keep an all-purpose fungicide handy.
Best for: large lots, rural properties, and warm-climate yards where speed matters most.
Emerald Green Arborvitae: The Classic Formal Hedge
Emerald Green is the go-to for a neat, formal privacy hedge in a small yard. It stays 12 to 15 feet tall and only 3 to 4 feet wide, holds a bright green color through winter, and rarely needs pruning.
It is the hardiest of the four (zones 3-8) and grows 1 to 2 feet a year, so it fills in steadily rather than overnight. Plant it 3 to 4 feet apart for a solid wall. One note: deer will browse it, so add protection if deer visit your yard.
Best for: townhomes and suburban lots, patios, foundation corners, and cold-climate properties.
Green Giant Arborvitae: The Big, Fast Barrier
Green Giant is the favorite for a reason. It grows 3 to 5 feet a year, reaches 40 to 60 feet tall and 12 to 18 feet wide, and keeps dense, deep-green foliage all winter. Deer rarely touch it, it resists most diseases, and it needs little pruning.
It is hardy in zones 5-8 and typically lives 40 to 60 years. Plant it 5 to 6 feet apart for a privacy screen. Because it gets big, give it room away from buildings, driveways and power lines.
Best for: large lots, windbreaks, blocking a neighbor’s view or a busy road, and any yard with deer pressure.
Planning Your Screen: Spacing, Planting and Care
Start by measuring the planting strip and noting your sun, soil and climate zone. Then match the tree to the space. Narrow strip: Taylor Juniper or Emerald Green. Wide-open property: Green Giant or Leyland Cypress.
- Check your zone. Confirm your USDA zone against each tree’s range in the table above.
- Space for mature size, not today’s size. Tight spacing fills in faster but crowds trees later. Use the spacing on each tree’s profile as a starting point.
- Dig wide, not deep. Make the hole two to three times as wide as the root ball and no deeper, with the top of the root ball level with the soil.
- Mulch and water. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch, kept off the trunk, and water deeply once or twice a week through the first growing season.
- Plant in fall. Roots keep growing in warm soil after the tops go dormant, so trees start spring ahead.
Call your local utility before you dig, and keep large trees well back from lines, septic systems and property boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tree grows fastest?
Green Giant Arborvitae, at 3 to 5 feet a year, with Leyland Cypress close behind at 3 to 4 feet.
Which is best for a small yard?
Emerald Green Arborvitae (3 to 4 feet wide) or Taylor Juniper (about 4 feet wide).
Which is best if deer are a problem?
Green Giant Arborvitae and Taylor Juniper are rarely browsed. Emerald Green is a deer favorite.
Which handles dry soil best?
Taylor Juniper adapts to dry or moist soil, though it needs full sun and no standing water.
Which is hardiest for cold winters?
Emerald Green (zones 3-8), then Taylor Juniper (zones 4-8).
Ready to Plant Your Privacy Screen?
We grew these trees for exactly this job, and fall is the time to put them in the ground. Shop Taylor Juniper, Leyland Cypress, Emerald Green Arborvitae and Green Giant Arborvitae online today, or stop by the nursery and our team will help you pick the right tree, count and spacing for your yard.
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