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Shop fast-growing privacy trees that block views, wind and road noise all year, grown on our Tennessee farm since 1959 and shipped straight to your door. Choose Green Giant arborvitae for a quick living fence, or American arborvitae for narrow spaces and cold winters.
Buy Privacy Trees Online From a Tennessee Nursery
A row of evergreen privacy trees does what a fence can’t. It grows taller every year, stays green through winter, softens road noise, and blocks wind without needing paint or repairs. The right trees, spaced correctly, can screen out the neighbors in three to five years. TN Nursery has grown trees in Altamont, Tennessee, for three generations, so every privacy tree you order comes from a family farm rather than a warehouse. Prices start at $30.99.
How to Choose Privacy Trees
- How tall do you need? Green Giant arborvitae tops out at 40 to 60 feet, enough to screen a two-story house. If you only need to hide a fence line, a narrower arborvitae is easier to manage.
- How wide is your space? Measure the strip you’re planting. Green Giant spreads 12 to 20 feet wide at maturity, and American arborvitae stays closer to 10 to 15 feet.
- What’s your zone? Green Giant grows best in zones 5 to 8. American arborvitae handles harsh winters down to zone 3.
- Do you have deer? Green Giant is rarely browsed. American arborvitae is a deer favorite, so plan to protect it with netting or fencing where deer are heavy.
Fast Growing Privacy Trees
Green Giant Arborvitae is the most popular fast growing privacy tree in America for good reason. Once established, it can grow up to 3 feet a year, forms a dense, upright cone of soft green foliage, and needs no shearing to stay full. It is naturally hardy and stays green through winter. Want trees in the ground sooner? Our potted Green Giant Arborvitae ships now, while bare root trees ship November 15–29.
Privacy Trees for Narrow Spaces and Cold Climates
American Arborvitae is a native evergreen with a narrower shape, so it fits along fences, driveways and property lines where space is tight. It’s very cold-hardy and tolerates damp soil better than most evergreens. Expect slower growth than Green Giant, about 1 to 2 feet a year.
Large Evergreens for Big Properties
On acreage, a mix of large evergreens makes a natural screen and windbreak. Southern Magnolia holds big, glossy leaves all year and blooms with fragrant white flowers. Give it room to spread 30 feet or more, in zones 7 to 9. Eastern White Pine and Loblolly Pine seedlings grow quickly and cost far less per tree for long windbreaks and property-line plantings.
How Far Apart to Plant Privacy Trees
For a solid screen, plant Green Giant arborvitae 5 to 6 feet apart in a single row. For faster coverage, stagger a double row with trees 8 to 10 feet apart in each row. Plant American arborvitae 3 to 4 feet apart. Keep every privacy tree at least 8 to 10 feet from your house, fences you need to maintain, septic lines and power lines.
When Privacy Trees Ship
Bare root privacy trees ship during our fall planting window, November 15–29. Fall is the best time to plant, because roots keep growing in warm soil all winter. Water deeply once a week through the first year, and keep watering during dry winter spells, since evergreens lose moisture through their leaves all year. See our planting instructions , or browse all evergreen trees and fast growing trees .
FAQ
What is the fastest growing tree for privacy? Green Giant arborvitae is one of the fastest evergreen privacy trees, growing up to 3 feet a year once established. It can form a solid screen in three to five years.
What are the best trees for privacy? For most yards, Green Giant arborvitae: it’s fast, dense, low-maintenance and rarely bothered by deer. For narrow spaces or very cold winters, American arborvitae. For large properties, a mix of pines and Southern magnolia.
How far apart should I plant privacy trees? Green Giant arborvitae: 5 to 6 feet apart in a single row. American arborvitae: 3 to 4 feet apart. Closer spacing fills in faster, but trees compete more as they mature.
What privacy trees grow well along a fence line? American arborvitae fits tight fence lines best because of its narrow shape. Green Giant also works if you can plant it 6 to 8 feet off the fence.
Are privacy trees evergreen? The best ones are. Evergreen privacy trees like arborvitae, pine and Southern magnolia keep their leaves all year, so the screen works in winter too.
When is the best time to plant privacy trees? Fall is best. Roots grow in warm soil all winter, so trees are established before summer heat. Our bare root trees ship November 15–29 for fall planting.
Do you ship privacy trees outside Tennessee? Yes. We grow in Tennessee and ship nationwide.
