Creating a natural privacy screen in your North Texas yard doesn’t have to be a long-term waiting game. With the right selection, you can establish a lush, green barrier in just a few years. Here are some of the best fast-growing trees for privacy that thrive in the North Texas climate.
Why Plant Trees that Grow Fast
There are several compelling reasons why homeowners and property managers opt for fast-growing trees. First and foremost, these trees provide quick solutions for privacy concerns. They rapidly create natural screens that block unwanted views and reduce noise from nearby roads or neighbors.
Fast-growing trees also offer speedy shade, which significantly reduces cooling costs for homes. Additionally, they quickly enhance curb appeal and increase property value.
For those concerned about the environment, these trees absorb carbon dioxide rapidly, making a quick impact on air quality. They also help with erosion control, stabilizing soil more quickly than slower-growing varieties.
Lastly, for impatient gardeners or those looking to make a swift impact on their landscape, fast-growing trees provide a sense of instant gratification.
While it’s important to consider the long-term implications and maintenance requirements of fast-growing species, their ability to provide rapid results makes them an attractive option for many landscape projects.
6 Fast Growing Trees
Leyland Cypress- This evergreen tree is a popular choice for privacy screens due to its rapid growth rate of 3-4 feet per year. Leyland Cypress can reach heights of 60-70 feet and spreads 15-25 feet wide, creating a dense, year-round privacy barrier. It’s adaptable to various soil types and is drought-tolerant once established.
Wax Myrtle- This native evergreen shrub or small tree grows quickly, reaching 10-20 feet tall and wide. Wax Myrtle is well-suited to the North Texas climate, tolerating both drought and poor drainage. It also produces fragrant leaves and berries that attract birds.
Nellie R. Stevens Holly- This fast-growing holly variety can reach 15-25 feet tall and 10-15 feet wide. It grows about 3 feet per year and provides year-round privacy with its dense, dark green foliage. As a bonus, it produces bright red berries in fall and winter.
Eastern Red Cedar- A native evergreen tree, the Eastern Red Cedar is exceptionally hardy and well-adapted to North Texas conditions. It grows 1-2 feet per year, reaching heights of 30-50 feet with a spread of 10-20 feet. This tree is drought-tolerant and provides excellent privacy and wind protection.
Loblolly Pine- While not as fast-growing as some options, the Loblolly Pine still grows at a respectable rate of 2-3 feet per year. It is an excellent choice for larger properties needing tall privacy screens. Texas A&M Forest Service (n.d.) tells us loblollies are large, fast-growing tree of forests and abandoned fields, reaching heights of 125 feet and a trunk to 4 feet in diameter, with a dense, rounded crown of dark, blue-green foliage.
Yaupon Holly- This versatile evergreen can be grown as a shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 15-20 feet. It grows about 2-3 feet per year and is highly adaptable to various soil types and light conditions. Yaupon Holly is also drought-tolerant and produces attractive red berries in winter.
Tips for Planting Privacy Trees
- Consider the mature size of the trees when planning your layout to ensure they have enough space to grow.
- Plant trees in a staggered double row for a denser privacy screen.
- Provide regular watering during the first growing season to help establish strong roots.
- Apply mulch around the base of the trees to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Prune as needed to maintain the desired shape and encourage dense growth.
When selecting fast-growing trees it’s essential to consider not only growth rate but also adaptability to local climate conditions, maintenance requirements, and potential mature size.
Geerts (2024) advises the wood of fast-growing trees is also more prone to breaking in storms, so you’ll need to prune them regularly to help keep them under control.
Wrapping Up
Remember, while these trees grow quickly, patience is still key. Your privacy screen will become more effective and beautiful each year, providing you with the seclusion and green backdrop you desire for your North Texas home.
References:
Geerts, S. (2024, June 22). 13 fast growing trees for a privacy screen in your backyard. Better Homes and Gardens. https://www.bhg.com/gardening/trees-shrubs-vines/trees/fast-growing-trees/
Texas A&M Forest Service. (n.d.). Trees of Texas. Texas A&M Forest Service. http://texastreeid.tamu.edu/content/TreeDetails/?id=78
Wax myrtle photo retrieved from Wikipedia- By Hajotthu – Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11591762
