Use Trees and Shrubs For Privacy

Find out which trees and shrubs grow fast and can be used as a privacy barrier. Learn how they can be used in direct sunlight and shade, and can grow up to 15 feet in as little as 5 years.

LESLIE: Now we’ve got Edwin from California. Welcome to The Money Pit. How can we help you today?

EDWIN: I think it was Leslie mentioned some trees that you could use as a good blind between you and your neighbors; that grow real fast.

LESLIE: Oh, yeah.

EDWIN: What kind of trees were they?

LESLIE: I’ve used both arborvitaes and Leyland cypress. They both grow really, really well; work well in direct sunlight to, I would say, moderate shade. If you get too, too shady they don’t do that great. But we put ours in – we have Leyland cypress which is a little bit more drapey in their branching; whereas the arborvitaes are more sort of upright in their branching. But they do both weave very well together and really create a good blockade.

And we got them at the three-to-five-foot range and they were, at their highest point, as tall as the roofline of my home and we had to shorten them. But we’ve been in the house six years and they’ve grown tremendously and they’re really worth their investment.

EDWIN: And they grow fast?

LESLIE: They do and – you know I’m talking about 15 feet in five years.

EDWIN: Oh, great. OK. Well, thank you very much.

TOM: You’re welcome, Edwin. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.