Waiting five years for a privacy screen to block the neighbor’s view is a test of patience few homeowners pass. The market is flooded with slow growers that leave your yard exposed season after season, making the choice of species the single most consequential decision you will make this planting season.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I study nursery stock data, compare verified growth rates from extension service trials, and cross-reference hundreds of owner reports to separate the truly fast evergreens from the marketing fast-talk.
After analyzing seven top contenders ranging from budget-friendly starter packs to larger premium specimens, this guide delivers the definitive shortlist of the absolute best fast growing evergreen trees for privacy you can plant right now for real screening within two to three seasons.
How To Choose The Best Fast Growing Evergreen Trees For Privacy
Picking the wrong species means five years of regret. The three variables that define success are growth rate consistency, mature habit, and zone adaptability. Ignore the nursery photo and focus on these numbers.
Realistic Annual Growth Rate
Many sellers advertise “fast growing” for anything that adds 12 inches per year. A true fast evergreen for privacy should push 24 to 48 inches annually under good conditions. Look for documented rates from growers or verified buyer reports, not generic tag claims.
Mature Width and Spacing Math
Spacing too close creates competition and stunts the entire row. A tree that matures at 15 feet wide needs at least 6 to 7 feet between specimens. A narrow columnar variety like Blue Arrow Juniper can sit 3 feet apart. Calculate your linear footage before you order.
Zone and Soil Match
A vigorous grower in Zone 7 will sulk in Zone 4 clay. Check the hardiness range on every listing. Thuja Green Giant thrives in Zones 5 to 9, while Emerald Green Arborvitae prefers cooler Zones 3 to 7. The best tree on paper fails if the soil pH or drainage is wrong.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant 2ft 8-Pack | Premium | High-density instant screen | 3 ft/year growth rate | Amazon |
| Thuja Green Giant Qty 30 | Premium Bulk | Large property windbreak | Mature height 40 ft | Amazon |
| Blue Arrow Juniper 10 Pack | Mid-Range | Narrow spaces & focal points | Width 2-3 ft mature | Amazon |
| 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | Mid-Range | Balanced value & growth | 3 ft/year, zones 5-9 | Amazon |
| Thuja Emerald Green Arborvitae | Mid-Range | Formal compact hedge | Mature height 12-15 ft | Amazon |
| Ligustrum Waxleaf Privet 10 Pack | Value | Budget hedge row | Grows 8-10 ft tall | Amazon |
| Hybrid Willow Cuttings 24 Pack | Budget | Ultra-fast temporary screen | 10-inch root stock length | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft 8‑Pack
This 8-pack hits the sweet spot between starter size and bulk value. Each specimen ships at roughly 2 feet tall, which is tall enough to establish quickly without the transplant shock that plagues larger container trees. The Green Giant cultivar reliably pushes 3 feet of new growth per year once settled, meaning you get a solid 5-foot screen by the end of the second growing season.
The root systems arrive well-developed inside the nursery pots, reducing the watering frequency needed during the first month compared to bare-root alternatives. This pack covers about 48 linear feet when spaced 6 feet apart, making it ideal for a standard suburban property line. Owners consistently report uniform growth across all eight plants, which is rare for multi-pack evergreens.
Expect a mature height of 40 feet with a 15-foot spread, so plan for structural pruning if your lot is tight. These trees demand full sun and well-drained soil; heavy clay with poor drainage will stall the growth rate to under 2 feet per year. The five-day guarantee from the nursery covers arrival condition, not long-term survival, so inspect each plant immediately upon delivery.
What works
- Consistent 3 ft/year growth from year two onward
- 8-pack format matches most residential property lines
- Potted root system minimizes transplant shock
What doesn’t
- Premium cost per plant compared to bare-root alternatives
- Requires full sun to maintain rated growth speed
- Mature width may overwhelm small urban lots
2. Thuja Arborvitae Green Giant Qty 30 Live Trees
This 30-tree bundle is the heavy artillery for anyone screening a long property line or rural boundary. With each Green Giant capable of hitting 40 feet tall and 15 feet wide, thirty specimens spaced 7 feet apart will create a continuous windbreak spanning over 200 linear feet. The sheer volume drives the per-tree cost down significantly compared to smaller packs.
These ship as live bare-root starts, so the first 30 days require diligent watering and protection from extreme sun while the roots establish. The upside is a root system that will quickly adapt to native soil conditions once planted. Hardiness in Zones 5 through 9 covers a broad swath of the continental US, from the Pacific Northwest through the mid-Atlantic and into the Southeast.
Managing 30 trees means serious labor on planting day. You will need an auger or a strong shovel, plus a drip irrigation setup if you want uniform growth without daily hand-watering for the first two summers. Some buyers report variability in initial height across the bundle, but most note that the smaller catches up within one growing season.
What works
- Best cost-per-tree for large-scale screening projects
- 40-foot mature height provides real privacy at full size
- Broad zone adaptability from 5 to 9
What doesn’t
- Bare-root requires careful first-season care
- 30 trees need a full day of labor to plant
- Some variability in starter size between specimens
3. Blue Arrow Juniper 10 Live Plants
The Blue Arrow Juniper is the specialist in this lineup — a columnar evergreen that maxes out at just 2 to 3 feet wide while reaching 12 to 15 feet tall. This narrow habit changes the spacing math completely: you can plant these 3 feet apart and still avoid overcrowding at maturity. For a 50-foot fence line, you need only 17 plants, compared to 8 to 10 for wider Green Giants.
The blue-green foliage keeps its color year-round without the browning that afflicts some arborvitae in winter wind. Drought tolerance is a genuine selling point here; once established, these junipers need irrigation only during extended dry spells. They handle clay, sandy, and even rocky soil types as long as drainage is adequate, and full sun is non-negotiable for the tightest form.
Growth rate sits at 12 to 18 inches per year — slower than Green Giant but much faster than most columnar evergreens like Irish Yew. That 18-inch annual gain means a 6-foot screen in roughly four years. The trade-off is a less dense canopy compared to arborvitae, so you may see some light gap between branches for the first few seasons.
What works
- Extremely narrow profile for tight planting strips
- Drought tolerant once roots are established
- Year-round blue-green color without winter bronzing
What doesn’t
- Slower growth than Green Giant at 1-1.5 ft/year
- Less dense foliage allows some light penetration
- Needs full sun to maintain tight columnar shape
4. 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 7-10 Inches Tall
When you need the Green Giant genetics without the 2-foot price premium, this 10-pack of 7-10 inch starters delivers the same 3-foot-per-year growth rate at a fraction of the upfront cost. These ship as potted plants in soil, which is a major advantage over bare-root for first-year survival. Each tiny tree comes with its own container, so roots stay intact during transplanting.
The recommended spacing of 6 to 7 feet apart for a quick screen means ten trees cover roughly 65 linear feet. Because they start small, you will need to keep the surrounding area weed-free and mulched for the first two seasons, or competition from grass can cut the growth rate in half. Mature specifications mirror the full-size Green Giant — 40 feet tall and 15 feet wide at full maturity.
Patience is required here: a 7-inch plant takes three years to become a meaningful 7-foot screen, whereas a 2-foot plant achieves that same height in two years. However, for the buyer planning a large hedge on a budget, the savings across 50 or 100 trees make the extra year of waiting worthwhile. Zone 5 through 9 hardiness applies to all Green Giants regardless of starter size.
What works
- Lowest entry cost for the Green Giant cultivar
- Potted soil root system reduces transplant shock
- Proven 3 ft/year growth after first season
What doesn’t
- Starts very small — takes 3 years for effective screen
- Weed competition severely impacts first-year growth
- Five-day guarantee on arrival only
5. Thuja Emerald Green Arborvitae #3 Size Container
The Emerald Green Arborvitae is the classic formal hedge choice, and this #3 size container provides a substantial 2-3 foot plant ready to go into the ground immediately. Unlike the wilder Green Giant, Emerald Green naturally stays between 12 and 15 feet tall with a 4-foot spread, making it the better option for homeowners who want height without the massive footprint. The dense, pyramidal form requires zero pruning to maintain its shape.
Growth rate averages 12 to 18 inches per year — slower than Green Giant but faster than most dwarf evergreens. In cooler zones 3 through 7, this species actually outperforms Green Giant, which prefers the warmer end of the hardiness range. The dark green foliage holds its color through winter without the bronze tint that plagues other arborvitae varieties in cold climates.
The #3 container size commands a higher per-plant price than smaller starters, but the head start in height means you reach a usable 6-foot barrier in about 3 years instead of 5. Space these 4 feet apart for a dense hedge that won’t crowd at maturity. The main downside is the limited width, which makes them less effective as a full windbreak compared to wider species.
What works
- Mature 12-15 ft height with only 4 ft width
- Superior winter color retention in cold zones
- Self-shaping pyramid needs no pruning
What doesn’t
- Slower growth than Green Giant at 1-1.5 ft/year
- Narrow mature width limits windbreak ability
- Higher cost per plant in #3 container format
6. Ligustrum Waxleaf Privet 10 Live Plants
The Waxleaf Privet takes a different approach to screening. It is technically a semi-evergreen — meaning it drops some leaves in the harshest winters — but in milder climates it holds foliage year-round and grows faster than most true evergreens. At 8 to 10 feet tall with a dense, bushy habit, it creates a solid visual barrier within 2 years of planting. The creamy-white summer flowers add a fragrant bonus that Green Giants simply do not offer.
These arrive as 2-inch potted starts, 10 plants per order. Because Waxleaf Privet responds aggressively to pruning, you can shape these into a formal hedge or let them grow naturally into a loose screen. Sun tolerance is flexible: they thrive in full sun but still perform well in partial shade, unlike arborvitae which stall when light is reduced. Soil adaptability covers everything from sandy to clay types.
The trade-off for the speed and flexibility is the deciduous tendency in zone 6 and colder. If you live in a region with hard freezes, expect the privet to drop 30 to 50 percent of its leaves for 2 to 3 months. That seasonal gap may be acceptable for summer-focused screening but fails the year-round privacy test that a true evergreen like Thuja passes.
What works
- Very fast establishment — effective screen in 2 years
- Tolerates partial shade where evergreens struggle
- Fragrant flowers add garden value beyond screening
What doesn’t
- Semi-evergreen nature means winter leaf drop in cold zones
- Limited to 8-10 ft max height compared to 40 ft Thuja
- Requires regular pruning to maintain dense form
7. Hybrid Willow Tree Cuttings 24 Pack
The Hybrid Willow is the category outlier — not a conifer, not truly evergreen in the traditional sense, but a deciduous tree that grows at an astonishing 6 to 10 feet per year. These 10-inch cuttings with 5/8-inch to 1-inch thick root stock turn into 15-foot trees in a single summer. For raw speed, nothing else in this guide comes close. The 24-pack provides enough material to cover 120 linear feet with aggressive screening by August of the first season.
Willows are water hogs. They thrive in damp soil and will actively drink from a drainage field or low-lying area. This makes them ideal for wet spots where arborvitae would rot, but also means they will compete with any nearby lawn or garden plants for moisture. Planting them away from septic lines and underground pipes is mandatory due to aggressive root systems that seek out water sources.
The biggest limitation is seasonal leaf drop. From late fall through early spring, the branches are bare, providing zero privacy during those months. Hybrid Willows also shed significant debris — leaves, small twigs, and catkins — that requires raking in autumn. Consider these a living fence that delivers summer-only screening. They are better suited for a fast summer windbreak or privacy screen for a pool or patio than a year-round property line solution.
What works
- Extreme growth speed of 6-10 ft per year
- Thrives in wet soil where evergreens fail
- 24 cuttings deliver massive coverage for the price
What doesn’t
- Deciduous — zero winter privacy
- Aggressive roots damage pipes and drainage systems
- High debris load with constant leaf and twig fall
Hardware & Specs Guide
Growth Rate Per Year
This is the single most important spec for privacy screening. Green Giant cultivars average 24 to 36 inches annually once established. Emerald Green Arborvitae and Blue Arrow Juniper sit at 12 to 18 inches. Hybrid Willow can exceed 72 inches but is deciduous. Always verify the rating from multiple owner reports rather than trusting the nursery tag alone.
Mature Width and Spacing
A tree’s mature width determines how many plants you need per linear foot. Spread the plants too close and they will compete for light and water, reducing overall growth. Green Giant needs 6 to 7 feet spacing. Blue Arrow Juniper can go at 3 feet. Emerald Green works at 4 feet. Always plan for the full mature spread, not the size at planting.
Zone Hardiness
Trees rated for Zones 5 to 9 cover most of the US, but microclimates matter. A Green Giant in Zone 5 may grow only 18 inches per year in heavy clay, while the same tree in Zone 7 loam pushes 36 inches. Check your USDA zone and soil type before ordering. For cold climates (Zone 4 and below), Emerald Green Arborvitae outperforms most other fast evergreens.
Root System Type
Plants arrive potted in soil, as bare-root starts, or as unrooted cuttings. Potted plants have the highest first-year survival rate but cost more to ship. Bare-root requires immediate soaking and careful planting during dormancy. Cuttings are the cheapest but demand consistent moisture for the first few months. Know which you are buying so you can adjust your planting protocol.
FAQ
How fast do Thuja Green Giants actually grow per year?
Can I plant different evergreen species together in a privacy hedge?
What spacing should I use for a quick privacy screen?
Do fast growing evergreens need fertilizer in the first year?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best fast growing evergreen trees for privacy winner is the Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft 8-Pack because it combines proven 3-foot annual growth with a potted root system that minimizes transplant loss and a count that matches a typical suburban fence line. If you need a narrow profile for tight side yards, grab the Blue Arrow Juniper 10 Pack. And for large-scale rural screening on a budget, nothing beats the bulk value of the Thuja Green Giant Qty 30.