The Best Trees to Plant for Shade and Privacy

Planting trees in your backyard is a fantastic way to create natural shade, enhance privacy, and add beauty to your outdoor space. Many different trees and plants can be strategically planted to create privacy by blocking unwanted views and reducing noise.

When the weather gets warmer and days longer, having shade in your backyard will mean all the difference.

Regardless of whether you’re looking to block out neighbors, reduce heat, or create a peaceful retreat, here are some of the best trees to plant for both shade and privacy.

Best trees for shade

If you want to escape the summer heat and create a cool, shaded area in your yard, you need to choose some fast-growing, broad-canopied trees. Here are some such trees to consider.

1.   Tulip trees

These fast-growing trees are well-known for their orangy-yellow tulip-like flowers. Tulip trees feature uniquely shaped waxy green leaves. In fall, the leaves of these trees turn to beautiful yellow gold. Tulip trees are considered fast-growing because they grow approximately 15 to 18 inches a year and can reach up to 100 feet tall.

In summer, these trees provide excellent shade with their beautiful leaves. When planting these trees, keep in mind that they prefer well-drained soil and full sun.

2.   Maple trees

Yet another fast-growing tree with beautiful fall foliage is a maple. No matter the size of your yard, there’s a vibrant maple tree variety to suit your space. From silver and red maples to their beautiful Japanese cousins, you can find something that fits your yard.

In addition to their stunning leaves, maples provide a broad canopy of shade. This means that you will be able to spend your summers in the shade of these beautiful giants. Depending on the variety, maples can grow up to 70 feet tall and 50 feet wide.

And the best of all is that they’re adaptable to different soil types. You can also use your trusty loppers to shape the tree when it’s still young.

3.   Oak

With so many species of oak trees, we guarantee you’ll find something appropriate for your backyard. These long-lived and sturdy trees provide dense shade. Depending on the variety you go for, oak trees can reach up to 80 feet tall and wide.

In addition to the great shade they provide, oak trees attract birds and wildlife. This means that you’ll be able to enjoy both shade and amazing bird songs at the same time.

If you have a huge yard, red oak and white oak are great choices. For smaller yards, dwarf chinquapin oak or kermes oak are good options.

4.   Ginkgo trees

If you want shade in your backyard, planting ginkgo trees is the way to go. These trees feature unique, fan-shaped leaves that turn yellow in fall. If you opt for these trees for your backyard, go for male trees only. This is because female trees produce messy, stinky fruit.

Ginkgos can grow up to 80 feet tall and 40 feet wide and have an amazing canopy that creates much-needed shade during summer days.

Best trees for privacy

If you’re looking to create a natural barrier between your yard and neighbors, opt for a species with thick foliage and tightly interwoven branches. If you prefer maximum coverage, choose trees with dense leaves that provide the most privacy.

1.   Leyland Cypress

The fast-growing Leyland Cypress is a popular evergreen, reaching heights of 50 feet in just 15 years. When planted in a row, the trees create a dense barrier that provides screening from wind, snow, and noise.

Make sure you plant Leyland Cypress in places with full sun. Also, plant them in rows about 6 feet apart for a uniform and lush privacy hedge.

2.   Arborvitae

With dense foliage and a pyramidal shape, the Green Giant Arborvitae makes a great windbreak. It is low maintenance, pest, and deer-resistant, and holds up well to ice and snow.

It grows up to 3 feet per year and can reach 50 to 60 feet tall. The Green Giant Arborvitae grows best in an area with full sun and partial shade, with trees spaced 5 to 6 feet apart.

Another popular fast-growing privacy tree is the Emerald Green arborvitae. Emerald Green Thujas are ideal for smaller landscapes, reaching a height of 8 to 12 feet with a narrow spread of about 3 to 4 feet. Just like the Green Giant, Emerald Green arborvitae are low-maintenance and should be planted 5 to 6 feet apart.

3.   Spartan Juniper

With a pyramidal shape and dense foliage, the Spartan Juniper makes an excellent privacy screen or windbreak.

This tree grows quickly, up to 20 feet tall, with no major pest or disease problems. Plant in the front or backyard along property lines, in full sun and well-drained soil.

4.   Holly trees

Holly trees are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners seeking fast-growing privacy trees with dense, tightly packed foliage that offers excellent coverage. They come in over 18 striking varieties, but a couple that stand out are the Oak Leaf Holly tree and Nellie Stevens Holly.

The Oak Leaf Holly Tree thrives in cold temperatures as low as 0 degrees and is highly drought-tolerant. If you want a privacy tree that also attracts birds, the Nellie Stevens Holly is an excellent choice. This fast-growing variety reaches heights of 15-25 feet with a spread of 8-15 feet.

5.   Bamboo

Surprisingly, bamboo is an excellent choice for a privacy screen or hedge. With its evergreen foliage and impressive height, it offers year-round privacy, often surpassing residential boundaries.

If you’re seeking a modern, eco-friendly solution to create privacy in your yard, Seabreeze Bamboo, Scottish Bamboo, Blue Chungii, and  Multiplex Bamboo could all be the ideal choices.

Multiplex Bamboo, for instance, with its Asian look, will add a vibrant pop of color to your backyard. The best part is that it grows up to 30 feet tall and won’t spread into your neighbor’s yard.

Conclusion

There you have it. The best shade and privacy trees in one place. When selecting a tree for shade or privacy, consider how fast it grows, how big it will be once it reaches maturity, and whether or not it’s evergreen.