Living in a small yard doesn’t have to mean sacrificing privacy. There are plenty of trees that can create a natural barrier and provide seclusion from prying eyes. From evergreens to deciduous trees, there are many options available that can thrive in small yards. In this article, we will discuss the best privacy trees for small yards in North Texas and things to consider before planting them.
Size Matters
Privacy trees for small yards need to be planned with more attention to height as well as diameter and width. If you do not plan carefully you might end up having to remove one of the trees that has now out grown your yard. Most trees can provide shade, but in order to obtain that concealed sensation in your backyard you will want to plant trees or shrubs that provide both vertical and lateral coverage.
Use Privacy Trees in Small Yards as Privacy Screens
Spying neighbors peeking over the fence? Looking for a little less noise and a little more privacy in the yard? Trees add beauty, fresh air, and that precious privacy to your backyard space. A living privacy screen around your small home’s yard does triple-duty.
- Year-round privacy: Plant tall, upright trees: American holly, Leyland cypress, cedar, pine (note size and circumference of the tree at maturity and choose accordingly).
- Block street views: Use shorter, thicker shrubs and hedges. Plant fast-growing shrubs: Red and yellow twig dogwood, American hazelnut, forsythia, Chinese privet.
- For security: Thorny hedges are dense, and discourages intrusion. Plant: Spanish bayonet (yucca), roses, flying dragon (poncirus), firethorn (pyracantha). You’ll want to consider these carefully if you have small children.
Alternative Privacy Options
Combine ornamental trees, hedges, and trellises of flowering vines for a living privacy screen of year-round beauty. The combination will create a beautiful yard that offers more privacy.
- Ornamental hedges: Burning bush, purple lilac, tri-color willow.
- Ornamental trees: dogwood, Japanese maple, smoke tree.
- Small, confined areas: Tall grasses and bamboo work well to screen patios and garden sitting spots.
- Tall ornamental grasses: plume grass (Erianthus ravennae), maiden grass.
Ideally the best tree for your privacy depends on a few factors. You have to take into account when you want the privacy, where to plant the tree, how it will affect your neighbors and other factors, such as whether it’s good for wildlife.
Best Privacy Trees for Small Yards in North Texas
Eastern Red Cedar: This evergreen tree requires little maintenance and is perfect for small yards. It grows up to 40 feet tall and can spread up to 20 feet wide.
Japanese Black Pine: This slow-growing evergreen tree is perfect for small gardens and provides excellent privacy. It grows up to 25 feet tall and 20 feet wide.
Magnolia: This beautiful tree has large, fragrant flowers and can grow up to 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It’s a perfect option for small yards that need both privacy and aesthetics.
Redbud: This deciduous tree provides beautiful pink or white blooms in the spring and a lush green canopy in the summer. It can grow up to 20 feet tall and 25 feet wide, making it a good privacy tree for small yards.
Wax Myrtle: This evergreen tree can grow up to 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. It’s perfect for small yards and can be used as a privacy hedge or as a standalone tree.
Things to Consider Before Planting Your Privacy Trees
Growth Rate: When choosing privacy trees for small yards, it’s important to consider their growth rate. Choosing a slow-growing tree can ensure that it stays the right size for your yard, while still providing the necessary privacy.
Maintenance: Some small yard privacy trees require more maintenance than others. Be sure to choose a tree that fits your maintenance needs and schedule.
Soil and Sunlight: Different trees have different soil and sunlight requirements. Be sure to choose a privacy tree that is suitable for your yard’s soil type and the amount of sunlight it receives.
Tree placement: Do not plant trees too close to your home’s foundation as it can interfere with your home’s foundation. The tree roots can grow under the home’s foundation, causing disruption, movement, or instability.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, there are many options available of trees for small yards for privacy in North Texas. It’s important to consider the growth rate, maintenance requirements, soil, sunlight, and tree placement when choosing a privacy tree for your small yard.
At Torres Tree Service, we know the importance of selecting the right trees and maintaining them properly for your yard’s privacy and beauty. Contact us today for all your tree service needs.
