Why Spring is one of the Best Times to Plant Privacy Trees
Spring is one of the two best seasons for planting privacy trees, ensuring strong root establishment before the summer heat arrives. Homeowners looking to create a natural privacy screen and/or wind barrier should take advantage of this time when soil conditions are optimal for rapid growth. The longer Spring/Summer daylight hours, warmer temperatures and rain are what accelerate their rapid growth. Thus achieving your desired privacy screening sooner! Plus, if you are screening your pool, planting in the Spring is ideal. Let’s dive in and learn what are the best privacy trees for spring planting in Maryland, DC, Virginia and Northern West Virginia.
Benefits of Spring Planting
- Fast Root Establishment: Trees planted in spring develop strong roots before summer heat stress.
- Best Selection Availability: Local growers have the freshest, healthiest stock after winter dormancy.
- Longer Growing Season: Trees get a head start, growing faster throughout the year when planted in the Spring.
- Lower Watering Needs: Spring rainfall helps trees establish with less irrigation.
Best Privacy Trees for Spring Planting
Choosing the right privacy tree depends on growth rate, space, soil type, and aesthetic preference. Here are the top three fast-growing privacy trees for backyards, property perimeter or as specimen trees in Maryland, DC, Northern Virginia, and Northern West Virginia:
1. Thuja Green Giant (Arborvitae)
Why Choose Thuja Green Giant?
- Thuja Green Giant Privacy Tree for Fast Coverage: With a growth rate of up to 2-2.5 feet per year in zones 6b-8a, this tree is perfect for large properties needing quick and dense privacy screens. Thrives in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Northern West Virginia zones.
- Mature Height: 30-50 feet, however for the Mid-Atlantic region they top out at approximately 35 feet due to shorter growing seasons.
- Benefits: Disease-resistant, drought-tolerant, and one of the low-maintenance evergreen trees.
- Best For: Medium-large properties needing fast-growing, dense privacy screens quickly
- Deer Resistant: Highly deer resistant, making it the go-to choice for homeowners in the Mid-Atlantic region looking for a deer-resistant evergreen privacy tree.
2. Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Why Choose Nellie R. Stevens Holly?
- Growth Rate: up to 14 inches per year in plant hardiness zones 6b-8a
- Mature Height: 15-25 feet with optimal growing conditions
- Benefits: Dense evergreen foliage with beautiful red berries for contrasting color and low maintenance. As an added bonus, clippings can be used in holiday decor!
- Best For: Medium height privacy barriers and decorative hedges for medium-large yards
- Fun Fact: The Nellie R. Stevens Holly was originally cultivated in Oxford, Maryland circa 1900.
3. Leyland Cypress
Why Choose Leyland Cypress?
- Growth Rate: up to 2-3 feet per year
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet on average in our Mid-Atlantic region but are known to top out as tall as 130ft in Wales, U.K.
- Benefits: Tall, lush privacy screens with quick growth
- Best For: Medium-large properties needing a high, uniform hedge, preferably within a fenced in area due to being a favorite food source for deer.
- Soil Adaptability: Thrives in various soil conditions throughout Maryland, DC, Virginia and West Virginia.
How to Choose the Right Privacy Tree for Your Yard
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Privacy Tree
- Growth Rate: How quickly do you need coverage?
- Mature Height & Width: Do you need a tall screen or a compact hedge?
- Soil & Sun Requirements: Ensure the tree matches your landscape conditions.
- Deer Resistance: Opt for deer-resistant varieties if wildlife is a concern.
- Maintenance Needs: Consider pruning and watering requirements.
Why Buy from Pryor’s Nursery?
We at Pryor’s Nursery specialize in growing and selling evergreen privacy trees that thrive throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Our locally grown evergreen trees are grown here on our farm in Damascus, MD, and therefore are acclimated for the best survival rates on your property. We offer privacy trees for sale throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia, DC, and Northern West Virginia, with expert installation services to ensure your trees establish roots quickly in these areas.
Benefits of Choosing Pryor’s Nursery
- Locally Grown Trees: Acclimated to Maryland, DC, Virginia, and West Virginia plant climate zones ensuring the best survival rate for your privacy screening. Our trees have thrived through several winters here and temps as low as 4 degrees.
- Professional Installation: Expert tree planting for optimal growth, with over 44 years of experience planting evergreen trees throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. We at Pryor’s Nursery have installed over 85,000 evergreen privacy trees for homes and businesses.
- Customer Satisfaction Guarantee: We ensure healthy, thriving trees at the time of installation and warranty our trees installed exclusively by Pryor’s Nursery for 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the fastest-growing privacy tree?
The Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae is one of the fastest-growing privacy trees, adding up to 2 feet per year in zones 6b-8a.
How far apart should I plant privacy trees for dense screening?
It depends on the variety. Thuja Green Giants should be planted 5-6 feet apart for a dense screen, while Leyland Cypress we recommend 6 feet spacing on center.
Do privacy trees need a lot of maintenance?
Most privacy trees are low-maintenance, but occasional pruning and watering during dry spells help them thrive.
When is the best time to plant privacy trees in Maryland, Northern Virginia, and DC?
Spring is the ideal time, as it allows trees to establish strong roots before the summer heat stress. However, Fall usually will require less watering due to the cooler weather. Both are great times to plant evergreen trees.
Get Started with Your Privacy Tree Installation
Spring planting season is short, and demand for high-quality privacy trees is high. Don’t wait—secure your trees now and enjoy a private, beautiful landscape before summer! Our fast-growing privacy trees for quick coverage are the perfect addition to your next landscape project. After all, no one likes the peering eyes of nosey neighbors.
Call Pryor’s Nursery today to schedule your consultation or visit our website to request a free quote!
