Let’s be honest — we all love our neighbours… until their kitchen window has a direct line of sight into our garden lounger. 😳 Whether you’re sipping morning coffee in your PJs or enjoying a BBQ in peace, privacy matters.
The good news? You don’t need to build a fence taller than your mortgage to block out the world. Just plant a few well-chosen trees, sit back, and let nature handle the rest.
These fast-growing trees are perfect for creating green, natural boundaries that keep you comfortably screened, without causing World War III over the garden fence.
Leyland Cypress (× Cuprocyparis leylandii)
- Evergreen
- Growth rate: 3–5 feet/year
- Max height: Up to 60ft (but prune regularly)
Leyland Cypress is one of the fastest-growing evergreen trees available in the UK and is often used for instant privacy screening. It forms a dense wall of rich green foliage that is highly effective at blocking sightlines, wind, and noise. Because of its rapid growth, it’s essential to establish a regular pruning schedule — ideally once or twice a year — to prevent it from becoming overgrown or unmanageable.
Best planted in full sun or partial shade, it thrives in most soil types, as long as the ground is well-drained. It’s ideal for larger gardens or boundary lines where a tall, full-height screen is desirable. However, homeowners should be aware of the UK’s High Hedges legislation: letting it grow too tall without regular maintenance can lead to neighbour disputes.
Best for: Tall, solid screening along garden boundaries or large plots.
Maintenance tip: Trim annually to your preferred height and thickness to prevent it from dominating the space.
Thuja ‘Green Giant’ (Thuja standishii × plicata)
- Evergreen
- Growth rate: 3–4 feet/year
- Max height: 30–40ft
Thuja ‘Green Giant’ is a popular alternative to Leyland Cypress. It offers similarly fast growth, but with a more refined appearance and a slightly softer texture. Its dense, conical growth habit makes it ideal for privacy screens or tall hedging, and it responds well to trimming if you’d prefer to keep it to a more manageable height.
Thuja tolerates a wide range of soil types and thrives in full sun to partial shade. It’s also slightly more disease-resistant than some other conifers and more tolerant of high humidity. The foliage is pleasantly aromatic and provides excellent year-round cover.
Best for: Gardeners who want a low-maintenance, fast-growing evergreen that’s slightly less aggressive than Leyland Cypress.
Maintenance tip: Prune once or twice a year to shape, ideally in late spring or early autumn.
Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
- Evergreen
- Growth rate: 2–3 feet/year
- Max height: 15–20ft
Cherry Laurel is a robust, large-leafed evergreen that’s excellent for thick, lush privacy screens. It forms a wide, bushy hedge that provides reliable coverage even in winter. The shiny green foliage is highly ornamental, and in spring it produces small, fragrant white flowers followed by red berries (toxic if ingested in large quantities, so take care with pets or young children).
This species tolerates shade better than many other privacy trees, making it ideal for north-facing or partially shaded boundaries. It also handles pollution and urban conditions well. Because of its dense growth, Cherry Laurel can also reduce noise and wind effectively.
Best for: Thick, low-to-mid-height hedges that grow quickly and tolerate a variety of conditions.
Maintenance tip: Trim once or twice a year, preferably after flowering in late spring or again in late summer.
Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)
- Evergreen
- Growth rate: 1.5–2.5 feet/year
- Max height: 12–20ft
Portuguese Laurel is a more refined and elegant cousin of Cherry Laurel, with narrower, dark green leaves and striking red stems on new growth. Although it grows slightly more slowly, it still establishes quickly and forms a dense, evergreen hedge that’s both ornamental and practical.
It’s particularly well-suited for more formal gardens or where space is limited, as it maintains a neater shape and more upright growth habit. Portuguese Laurel is tolerant of pruning, shade, and a wide range of soil types, and is generally considered less invasive than Cherry Laurel.
Best for: Attractive, neatly shaped evergreen hedges in smaller or more formal gardens.
Maintenance tip: Lightly trim once or twice a year to maintain shape and density.
Photinia ‘Red Robin’ (Photinia × fraseri)
- Evergreen
- Growth rate: 1.5–2.5 feet/year
- Max height: 10–15ft
Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is one of the most visually striking choices for a privacy hedge. Its vibrant red new growth sets it apart from traditional evergreens, making it a popular choice for gardeners who want both privacy and seasonal interest. The red foliage matures to a glossy green, creating an attractive two-tone effect.
This shrub thrives in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. While it grows reasonably fast, it’s not as aggressive as some conifers, and can be easily shaped into a formal or informal hedge. In spring, it may also produce clusters of small white flowers, adding further ornamental value.
Best for: Decorative privacy hedging with colourful seasonal foliage.
Maintenance tip: Regular trimming (2–3 times per year) encourages more red growth and helps maintain thickness.
Griselinia littoralis
- Evergreen
- Growth rate: 2–3 feet/year
- Max height: 12–18ft
Griselinia littoralis is a hardy, fast-growing evergreen tree or shrub that’s ideal for mild and coastal UK gardens. Its lush, apple-green leaves create a soft but dense screen that offers year-round privacy. Native to New Zealand, it tolerates wind, salt spray, and exposed sites better than many other evergreens, making it a strong candidate for windy or coastal regions like Cornwall, Devon, or along the south coast.
It prefers well-drained soil and full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Unlike many traditional privacy hedges, Griselinia has a bright and modern appearance, which makes it a favourite for contemporary garden designs. It’s also a relatively low-maintenance option once established.
Best for: Coastal and milder areas where salt and wind are an issue; great for softening modern garden designs.
Maintenance tip: Trim once a year in late spring or early summer to maintain shape and encourage bushiness.
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
- Evergreen
- Growth rate: 2–3 feet/year
- Max height: 40–60ft
Western Red Cedar offers an excellent balance of fast growth, soft texture, and manageable maintenance. With aromatic, feathery foliage and a dense, columnar shape, it forms a superb evergreen privacy screen that also provides habitat for birds and pollinators.
It performs best in moist, well-drained soils and will tolerate full sun to partial shade. Compared to Leyland Cypress, Western Red Cedar is a little slower but easier to manage long-term, with a more natural look and less risk of overgrowth if pruning is delayed.
Best for: Natural-looking evergreen hedges that are dense, fragrant, and wildlife-friendly.
Maintenance tip: Prune once a year in late summer to shape and control height.
Pittosporum tenuifolium
- Evergreen
- Growth rate: 1.5–3 feet/year
- Max height: 10–15ft
Pittosporum tenuifolium is a stylish, fast-growing evergreen with small, silver-green leaves and an airy growth habit. Native to New Zealand, it thrives in mild, sheltered UK gardens, particularly in the south and southwest. It’s best used in contemporary or informal settings where a softer privacy screen is desired.
While not as dense as laurel or conifer hedges, it can be grown in staggered groups or mixed with other plants for a more textured and layered screen. Pittosporum also produces small, dark purple, fragrant flowers in late spring or early summer.
Best for: Mild gardens where a light, decorative screen is preferred; ideal for layered privacy planting.
Maintenance tip: Prune lightly in spring to maintain a compact shape and encourage bushier growth.
Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium)
- Semi-evergreen (keeps leaves in mild winters)
- Growth rate: 1.5–3 feet/year
- Max height: 10–12ft
Privet is a classic British hedge plant that has stood the test of time for good reason. It’s hardy, fast-growing, and forms a tight, compact hedge that’s ideal for small to medium-sized gardens. Its oval-shaped green leaves create a dense barrier, while clusters of white flowers in summer add seasonal interest.
Privet is semi-evergreen in the UK — it retains most of its leaves in mild winters, though may drop more in colder regions. It tolerates pollution well, making it ideal for urban areas, and can be shaped into a very formal hedge if desired.
Best for: Quick, easy, and tidy hedges in suburban or urban settings.
Maintenance tip: Responds well to frequent trimming; clip two to three times per year to keep dense and uniform.
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
- Deciduous (but holds dead leaves in winter)
- Growth rate: 1.5–2.5 feet/year
- Max height: 40–60ft (or hedged to size)
Hornbeam is an elegant native tree that works beautifully as a formal or informal hedge. Although technically deciduous, it retains its crisp, brown leaves through winter, meaning it still offers privacy when most other deciduous trees are bare. The foliage emerges fresh green in spring, turning darker through summer.
Hornbeam tolerates heavy pruning and poor soils, and it’s often chosen as an alternative to beech in wetter or clay-heavy locations. It’s slower to establish than conifers but is long-lived, extremely hardy, and blends well in traditional or naturalistic gardens.
Best for: Formal or native-style hedging with a year-round screen effect.
Maintenance tip: Trim in late summer to encourage leaf retention and keep a compact shape.
Clumping Bamboo (Fargesia species)
- Evergreen
- Growth rate: 1–3 feet/year
- Max height: 8–15ft
Fargesia bamboo varieties are ideal for residential privacy screens, especially in tighter spaces where traditional trees would be too bulky. Unlike the more aggressive “running” bamboos, clumping bamboos grow in a controlled, non-invasive pattern — meaning they won’t take over your garden or sneak into your neighbour’s flowerbeds.
Fargesia species have elegant, arching canes and dense green foliage that rustles softly in the breeze. They’re particularly well-suited to modern gardens and Asian-inspired landscapes. These bamboos prefer partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, and they’re cold-hardy enough to withstand most UK winters.
Best for: Small gardens or patios where space is limited but fast-growing, stylish screening is needed.
Maintenance tip: Remove dead canes in spring and thin out older growth every few years to maintain airflow and appearance.
Eucalyptus gunnii (Cider Gum)
- Evergreen
- Growth rate: 3–6 feet/year
- Max height: 30–70ft
Eucalyptus gunnii is one of the fastest-growing evergreen trees in the UK and adds a striking, architectural quality to any landscape. It features silvery-blue foliage that’s aromatic when crushed, and smooth, peeling bark that offers year-round interest. Because it grows so quickly, it’s often used for fast privacy, screening unsightly views, or creating shelter belts.
However, its eventual size can be considerable, so it’s best suited to larger gardens — or maintained carefully through pollarding (cutting it back regularly to encourage shrubby regrowth). Eucalyptus prefers full sun, well-drained soil, and benefits from shelter in very exposed or frost-prone areas.
Best for: Large gardens needing tall, fast privacy or visual impact in a short time.
Maintenance tip: Prune annually or biennially to manage height and encourage dense foliage at lower levels.
Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
- Deciduous
- Growth rate: 2–3 feet/year
- Max height: 30–50ft
Silver Birch is a graceful, fast-growing native tree that provides a lighter, more natural screen. Its white bark and delicate, fluttery leaves make it a standout ornamental feature in any garden. While it doesn’t create a dense visual block like laurel or conifers, it’s excellent for softening views and adding height in layered privacy planting.
Birch trees do best in full sun and well-drained soil. They’re relatively low-maintenance, adaptable, and popular for wildlife, providing food and shelter for various birds and insects. Use in groups to achieve better screening results.
Best for: Light, natural privacy in wildlife-friendly or woodland-style gardens.
Maintenance tip: Pruning is rarely needed, but if required, do so in summer to avoid excessive sap bleeding.
Paulownia tomentosa (Foxglove Tree)
- Deciduous
- Growth rate: 6–10 feet/year
- Max height: 30–40ft
Paulownia tomentosa is one of the fastest-growing trees in the world, often producing growth of up to 10 feet in a single season. Its enormous, heart-shaped leaves make it an excellent summer privacy screen, especially if grown as a cut-back shrub — a technique where the tree is pruned to ground level each year to encourage giant foliage without allowing it to reach full height.
In spring, mature trees produce fragrant lilac flowers resembling foxgloves (hence the name). However, if pruned hard annually, you sacrifice flowers for foliage. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil, and works best in larger spaces due to the size of its leaves and spread.
Best for: Quick, seasonal privacy or dramatic foliage in large gardens or temporary screening.
Maintenance tip: For leaf impact, cut back hard each year in early spring; for flowering, let it grow naturally and prune lightly.
Willow (Salix alba or hybrids)
- Deciduous
- Growth rate: 4–6 feet/year
- Max height: 40–70ft
Willows are vigorous, moisture-loving trees that excel in areas with damp or heavy soil. With their rapid growth and flexible branches, they provide quick coverage and natural movement in the wind. Their fine-textured leaves create a semi-screen that is best used for softening views rather than completely blocking them.
For screening, willows are often coppiced (cut down to the base every 1–3 years), which keeps them manageable and promotes fast regrowth. They’re especially useful for riverbanks, boggy areas, or to stabilise slopes — but keep them away from buildings and drains, as their roots are notorious for seeking water.
Best for: Fast-growing privacy in wet conditions, naturalistic gardens, or layered screens.
Maintenance tip: Coppice regularly to control size and maintain screening effect; avoid planting near foundations or pipes.
Field Maple (Acer campestre)
- Deciduous
- Growth rate: 1.5–2.5 feet/year
- Max height: 20–30ft
Field Maple is the UK’s only native maple and a solid choice for those seeking a fast-growing, wildlife-friendly screening tree. Its lobed green leaves turn golden-yellow in autumn, offering great seasonal colour and a more natural feel than formal hedges.
While not quite as rapid or dense as some evergreen options, it still establishes quickly and responds well to trimming, which makes it useful as a native hedge or informal screen. It thrives in a wide range of soil types, including heavy clay, and is highly tolerant of pollution — making it suitable for urban and rural settings alike.
Best for: Naturalistic or native hedging schemes, especially in wildlife-friendly or rural gardens.
Maintenance tip: Prune in late summer or early autumn to maintain form and reduce sap loss.
Swedish Whitebeam (Sorbus intermedia)
- Deciduous
- Growth rate: 1.5–2.5 feet/year
- Max height: 30–40ft
Swedish Whitebeam is an upright, robust tree known for its grey-green foliage with silvery undersides and showy clusters of white spring flowers followed by orange-red berries in autumn. It’s a great choice for vertical interest and partial screening in formal or urban gardens.
Though not especially dense, its columnar growth makes it useful where width is limited. It thrives in tough conditions — including wind, salt spray, and urban pollution — and is widely planted along roadsides and in exposed areas. Its root system is generally non-invasive, making it a safer pick near homes than more aggressive species.
Best for: Narrow, upright screening in tough or exposed sites where space is at a premium.
Maintenance tip: Minimal pruning required; shape in winter if necessary to maintain form.
Tips for Planting Your Privacy Screen Like a Pro
Spacing is key: Too close and they’ll compete for light and nutrients. Too far and you’ll be waiting years to block that view. Aim for 3–5 feet apart depending on the species.
Mix and match: Combine evergreen and deciduous trees for year-round coverage with seasonal interest.
Mind the roots: Avoid trees with deep or aggressive roots near patios, walls, or pipes.
Keep it tidy: Regular pruning encourages denser growth — and keeps neighbour disputes to a minimum.
Know your rights: In the UK, tall hedges can be legally challenged. Brush up on the High Hedges Act before your leafy wall becomes the talk of the street.
Grow Your Own Green Wall
Why settle for concrete fences when you can have a living, breathing, bird-friendly privacy wall? These trees will help you create a lush, secluded oasis — without waiting a decade. Just give them a little TLC, and they’ll return the favour by shielding your garden from prying eyes (and maybe even cutting down that wind tunnel effect).
Ready to reclaim your privacy, one tree at a time?
