If you want to add privacy to your yard without building a fence, evergreen trees are a great option. They stay green all year, block wind and noise, and give your yard a natural, polished look.
But if you live in a colder climate, not just any evergreen will do. You need trees that can handle harsh winters, heavy snow, and freezing temperatures without losing their leaves – or their charm.
Why Evergreens Are a Smart Choice for Privacy
Evergreens don’t just keep nosy neighbors out of sight; they also help cut down wind chill, which can actually lower your heating bill in the winter.
Plus, they give birds a safe spot to shelter when most other trees have lost their leaves. And let’s be honest – when everything else looks gray and lifeless in the middle of winter, it’s nice to have some greenery in your yard.
Our Privacy Tree Journey
When we first moved in, I knew we needed some privacy in the backyard. Our neighbor had Green Giant Arborvitaes, and they looked great, so we took that route too.
We planted a row of small Emerald Green Arborvitaes from Home Depot, spaced them properly, and watered them religiously. But we quickly realized that not all evergreens thrive in the same conditions.
The ones at the end of the row got blasted with afternoon sun and struggled. We lost two and had to rethink our plan.
Eventually, we swapped one out for a Juniper Hetzii Columnaris, which handled the heat better. The next year, we doubled down on privacy by adding two large Arborvitaes, a Juniper Moonglow, and two American Pillar Arborvitaes.
Those American Pillars, sold under the name Full Speed A Hedge, were absolute game changers. They shot up much faster than the original Emerald Green Arborvitaes, and honestly, I wish I had known about them sooner. We purchased ours at Great Garden Plants.
For variety, we also mixed in a Juniper Blue Point near our hydrangeas and two False Cypress ‘King’s Gold’ for contrast. It was all about finding the right balance between privacy, color, and resilience.
Best Evergreen Trees for Privacy in Northern Climates
If you’re looking for reliable evergreens that can handle cold winters and still provide solid coverage, here are your best bets:
1. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)
Green Giant Arborvitae is an excellent choice for those looking to create a living wall quickly. It thrives in various soil types and is highly resistant to pests and diseases. Once established, it requires minimal maintenance, making it ideal for homeowners who want privacy without constant upkeep.
- Growth Rate: Fast (3-5 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet
- Mature Width: 12-18 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Why It’s Great: A top pick for privacy screens because it grows fast, forms a dense barrier, and isn’t a favorite snack for deer.
2. American Pillar Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘American Pillar’)
This tree, which is also called Full Speed A Hedge American Pillar, is a great alternative to traditional Emerald Green Arborvitaes for those with limited space. It retains its dense foliage even in winter, ensuring privacy all year long. Since it grows upright and doesn’t spread much, it’s ideal for lining driveways or walkways. You can find your local garden, online retailer, or at Great Garden Plants.
- Growth Rate: Extremely fast (3-4 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 25-30 feet
- Mature Width: 3-4 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Why It’s Great: Tall and narrow, making it perfect for small spaces or tighter hedges.
3. Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)
These trees provide a uniform, polished look that’s perfect for a neat hedge. They are highly adaptable and require little maintenance, making them an excellent choice for homeowners who prefer a structured privacy screen. However, they are not as fast-growing as Green Giants, so if you need immediate coverage, you may want to mix them with other species.
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 12-15 feet
- Mature Width: 3-4 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Why It’s Great: A more compact option, great for small yards or areas where Green Giants would be too large.
4. Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Norway Spruce is one of the most cold-hardy evergreens, making it a favorite in northern climates. Its strong branches and dense growth provide excellent wind resistance, making it a great option for those needing a natural windbreak as well as privacy.
- Growth Rate: Fast (2-3 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 50-60 feet
- Mature Width: 25-30 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Why It’s Great: Stands up to harsh winters and strong winds while keeping its full, classic shape.
5. Juniper Moonglow (Juniperus scopulorum ‘Moonglow’)
I planted a Moonglow Juniper to add variety to my privacy screen, and I love its upright growth and distinct color. It’s tough, low-maintenance, and handles extreme conditions well, making it a reliable choice for colder climates.
- Growth Rate: Moderate (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 15-20 feet
- Mature Width: 6-8 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Why It’s Great: It has a unique blue-green color that stands out in the landscape. Very hardy and drought-resistant.
6. Juniper Hetzii Columnaris (Juniperus chinensis ‘Hetzii Columnaris’)
I added a Hetzii Columnaris to my yard when I needed something that could handle intense afternoon sun. It’s incredibly hardy, standing up to drought and poor soil while maintaining its upright growth. The dense blue-green foliage gives great texture and contrast.
- Growth Rate: Moderate (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 15-20 feet
- Mature Width: 5-8 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Why It’s Great: A tough and adaptable tree with a striking columnar shape, perfect for adding privacy without taking up too much space.
7. Juniper Blue Point (Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’)
I planted a Blue Point Juniper near my hydrangeas to mix up the look of my privacy screen. It has a pyramidal shape that makes it visually interesting while providing reliable coverage. This tree thrives in poor soil and is an excellent choice if you want something unique.
- Growth Rate: Moderate (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 12-15 feet
- Mature Width: 6-8 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Why It’s Great: A low-maintenance, drought-tolerant option with a rich blue-green color that enhances privacy screens.
8. Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika)
Serbian Spruce has a graceful, narrow form with slightly drooping branches. It offers excellent wind resistance and is well-suited for locations where other spruces might struggle due to soil conditions.
- Growth Rate: Moderate (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet
- Mature Width: 15-25 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Why It’s Great: An elegant, adaptable spruce that tolerates shade better than most evergreens.
9. White Fir (Abies concolor)
White Fir is a standout for its striking color and adaptability. It tolerates dry conditions better than many other evergreens, making it a great choice for regions with less consistent moisture.
- Growth Rate: Moderate (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 40-70 feet
- Mature Width: 20-30 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Why It’s Great: Soft, silvery-blue needles and excellent drought resistance.
10. Black Hills Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Densata’)
Black Hills Spruce is a compact, slower-growing variety of the White Spruce, known for its ability to withstand extreme cold and high winds. It maintains a uniform shape with little maintenance.
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 30-60 feet
- Mature Width: 15-25 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Why It’s Great: A dense, hardy spruce with thick foliage, offering excellent wind resistance and privacy even in the toughest climates.
11. False Cypress ‘King’s Gold’ (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘King’s Gold’)
King’s Gold False Cypress adds a pop of color to privacy screens and works well as an accent tree. Its slow growth makes it easy to maintain in smaller spaces.
- Growth Rate: Slow (less than 1 foot per year)
- Mature Height: 6-10 feet
- Mature Width: 4-6 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Why It’s Great: A vibrant golden color that stands out among green privacy trees.
12. Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Douglas Fir is widely used for privacy screens and windbreaks. It has a naturally dense structure and requires minimal pruning. It thrives in well-drained soil and provides excellent coverage even in harsh winter conditions.
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (1.5-3 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 40-80 feet
- Mature Width: 12-20 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Why It’s Great: Classic evergreen with thick, year-round greenery.
13. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
Eastern White Pine adds a soft texture to landscapes and is known for its graceful, tall form. However, it requires proper spacing to prevent overcrowding and needs occasional pruning to maintain its shape.
- Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (1-3 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 50-80 feet
- Mature Width: 20-40 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Why It’s Great: Soft, feathery needles and quick growth make it a solid option for blocking views in large spaces.
14. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
This hardy tree tolerates poor soil conditions and is one of the best choices for areas with dry summers. Its berries attract birds, making it a great choice for those looking to enhance their yard’s wildlife appeal.
- Growth Rate: Moderate (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 30-50 feet
- Mature Width: 8-20 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Full sun
- Why It’s Great: It’s Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, plus its scent helps keep deer away.
15. Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Canadian Hemlock is one of the most adaptable evergreen trees for privacy, thriving in partial shade where other evergreens may struggle. It requires consistent moisture and does best in well-drained soil. Pruning allows you to shape it into a formal hedge or let it grow naturally into a large screen.
- Growth Rate: Slow to moderate (1-2 feet per year)
- Mature Height: 40-70 feet
- Mature Width: 25-35 feet
- Sunlight Needs: Part shade to full sun
- Why It’s Great: One of the few evergreens that does well in shade, making it ideal for wooded lots.
How to Plant and Care for Evergreen Privacy Trees
- Get the Spacing Right – Green Giants need about 5-6 feet between them, while Norway Spruce should be spaced 10-15 feet apart.
- Water Regularly – New trees need deep watering once a week, especially in their first year. Skip the shallow watering; it won’t reach the roots.
- Mulch for Moisture – A 3-6 inch layer of mulch around the base helps keep the soil damp and the temperature stable.
- Prune as Needed – Light pruning keeps trees healthy and encourages dense growth.
- Protect in Winter – If you’re in a windy area, burlap screens can help young trees survive harsh winters.
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Final Thoughts
Evergreens are a simple, effective way to add privacy to your yard, even in northern climates. Whether you want a massive wind-blocking row of Norway Spruce or a narrow hedge of American Pillars, there’s an option that fits your space.
Take time to pick the right trees, space them properly, and give them a little TLC in their first few years. Before you know it, you’ll have a lush, green barrier that not only keeps prying eyes out but also makes your yard feel like a private retreat.
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Hi, I’m Rodney, a homeowner and evergreen enthusiast with a passion for creating vibrant, thriving lawns in northern climates. Here at The Evergreen Edit, I share practical lawn care tips, seasonal advice, and my personal experiences to help you grow a yard you’ll love all year round.
