If you're tired of looking at your neighbor's yard — or tired of them looking at yours — you're not alone. Privacy trees are one of the most popular landscaping requests we get at BringMeATree.com, and for good reason. The right tree can transform an open, exposed yard into a peaceful, secluded retreat.
The good news? If you live in the South, you have some fantastic options. Here are our top picks for privacy trees that thrive in Southern heat, humidity, and soil conditions.
1. Emerald Green Arborvitae
If you want a classic, tidy privacy screen, Emerald Green Arborvitae is hard to beat. This narrow, columnar evergreen stays dense from top to bottom and grows to about 10–15 feet tall — perfect for screening without taking over your yard. It's slow-growing, which means less maintenance once it's established, and it holds its rich green color all year long.
Best for: Smaller yards, property lines, and formal landscapes.
2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja)
If you need a privacy screen fast, Green Giant is your answer. This powerhouse evergreen grows 3–5 feet per year and can reach 30–40 feet at maturity. It's deer-resistant, drought-tolerant once established, and virtually disease-free. Plant them 5–6 feet apart for a solid wall of green in just a few years.
Best for: Large properties, fast screening, and windbreaks.
3. Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Don't overlook hollies for privacy! Nellie R. Stevens is one of the most popular privacy trees in the South for good reason — it's fast-growing, evergreen, and produces beautiful red berries in winter. It can reach 15–25 feet tall and has a naturally pyramidal shape that looks great without much pruning.
Best for: Year-round interest, Southern climates, and wildlife-friendly yards.
4. Yoshino Cryptomeria
Yoshino Cryptomeria is a graceful, fast-growing evergreen with soft, feathery foliage that sways beautifully in the breeze. It can grow 2–3 feet per year and reaches 30–40 feet at maturity. It's a great alternative to Leyland Cypress without the disease problems, and it handles Southern heat and humidity like a champ.
Best for: Large privacy screens, windbreaks, and naturalistic landscapes.
5. Carolina Sapphire Cypress
Want something a little different? Carolina Sapphire Cypress is a showstopper with its striking silvery-blue aromatic foliage. It grows quickly into a pyramidal shape and smells amazing — like a fresh cedar forest. It's drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and holds its color all year.
Best for: Accent trees, privacy screens with visual interest, and xeriscaping.
Tips for Planting a Privacy Screen
- Spacing matters: For a solid screen, plant arborvitae 3–4 feet apart, larger trees 6–8 feet apart.
- Plant in fall or early spring for best root establishment before summer heat hits.
- Water deeply for the first season — even drought-tolerant trees need help getting established.
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Ready to Plant?
All of the privacy trees mentioned above are available at BringMeATree.com and ship directly to your door. Whether you need a fast-growing screen or a slow-growing formal hedge, we've got you covered.
Have questions about which tree is right for your yard? We're always happy to help — just reach out!