Best Fence Line Trees
What makes a tree the best for a fence line tree? To decide on the best choice, we need to know a few factors. Is it for privacy? Does it need to fill a big space? Does it need to be fast-growing? Is it a small space that needs a narrow tree? Once we know these factors, it makes it much easier to decide what to plant.
As landscapers, we have planted a multitude of trees in many different scenarios. We have compiled a list of trees that would work in these situations.
Best Trees for Your Fence Line
If you have an open fence line and you are not concerned about size or privacy, there are so many options available to you for fence line trees. You can choose flowering trees such as Crabapple or Flowering Almond. Stately trees such as a Sugar Maple or Honey Locust. You can plant all the same varieties or switch them up for contrast. The leaves of a Red Maple are a great contrast to the soft yellow hue of the Sunburst Honey Locust. These types of contrasts make the fence line stand out. Choose trees that are similar in size and speed of growth for this type of planting. It is important if you are looking for uniformity.
Best Privacy Trees
Privacy trees create living fences to keep your backyard private. The best type of privacy tree would be to choose an evergreen arborvitae hedging plant. The dense foliage of this variety of hedging provides all-year privacy. Also, the best trees can be planted close together and thrive together in these plantings.
Juniperus chinensis Mint Julep - Mint Julet Juniper
Zone 4 Height 150 cm spread 150 cm
The compact horizontal habit of upward arching branches creates a fountain-like form on mint-green leaves. Theis tree works well as a ground cover, hedge, screen or windbreak and requires little maintenance. This would be a low hedge or privacy tree choice
Juniperus chinensis Mountbatten - Mountbatten Juniper
Zone 3 Height 300 cm Spread 175 cm
An outstanding narrow pyramidal evergreen with dense upright branches clothed in sharply pointed needles. The blue berries are attractive against the grayish-green foliage. This tree works well as a hedge, screen or windbreak and requires little maintenance.
Juniperus virginiana - Eastern Red Cedar
Zone 2 Height 7 meters, spread 3 meters
An excellent specimen for mass plants, as a windbreak, or hedging. This tree has an oval columnar form. The brown bark and ascending or pendulous branches support the green foliage
Picea abies Cupressina - Columnar Norway Spruce
Zone 4 Height 8 meters Spread 200 cm
The slender uniform growth habits with dense branching to the ground and dark green needles. This is an ideal plant for a confined area where space is an issue.
Picea glauca Densata - Black Hills White Spruce
Zone 3 Height 13 meters Spread 6 meters
Asymmetrical cone shaped slow growing evergreen suitable as a windbreak or hedge. Its branches display dense bright green needles becoming blue-green with maturity.
Picea Pungens - Colorado Spruce
Zone 2 Height 18 meters Spread 6 meters
A very beautiful strong ornamental tree, with rigid branches. The green to silvery blue needles are displayed in the broad pyramidal shape. Suitable for hedges or a windbreak.
Thuja occidentalis - Eastern White Cedar
Zone 2 Height 12 meters Spread 4 meters
This tree is excellent for hedging. It can tolerate a wide range of soils but does not like salt. Dark green branches with fan-like foliage can be trimmed easily.
Thuja occidentalis Nigra - Black Cedar
Zone 3 Height 10 meters Spread 125 cm
The black cedar has flattened sprays of dense dark green foliage and an upright cone-shaped narrow form. A perfect vertical accent to the landscape as a privacy screen, natural hedge, or fence.
Thuja occidentalis De Groot’s Spire - Degroot’s Spire Cedar
Zone 3 Height 8 meters Spread 125 cm
The narrow columnar form spirals as it grows. It provides a vertical accent to the landscape. The fine foliage is very attractive
Thuja occidentalis Fastigiata - Pyramid Cedar
Zone 3 Height 10 m Spread 300 cm
Narrow and erect, this cedar is used often for accent plants or screening.
Thuja occidentalis Holmstrup - Holmstrup Cedar
Zone 3 Height 300 cm Spread 125 cm
This cedar is compact with dark green foliage. It is slow growing and an excellent cedar for the rock garden or as a hedging plant. Not for use as a tall hedge
Best Fast-Growing Privacy Trees
With all of the choices, I would choose the Thuja occidentalis - Eastern White Cedar as the best choice for a fast-growing Privacy Fence. It is the hardiest and easy to grow. It can take pruning very well. The Thuja occidentalis Nigra - Black Cedar is also an excellent choice for a fast-growing hedge. It is dense and gives more privacy earlier in its life than white cedar. It is a narrower and darker green than the native white cedar as well. If you want it to be private more quickly, the black cedar is a good choice.
Best Trees for Small Spaces
If your fence line is narrow and there is not a lot of space for you to have larger trees, narrow pyramidal-shaped trees are an excellent choice for this type of spot. Go to our Best Trees for Small Spaces to read more.
