The 6 Best Tall Skinny Trees for Privacy

Uncovering the Best Tall and Skinny Trees for Your Secluded Sanctuary

In the modern urban and suburban tapestry, where open spaces are at a premium, the use of tall and skinny trees offers a chic solution for privacy and elegance in tight spaces. These slender giants, available through Plants Express, are perfect for adding a touch of green grandeur to compact areas. They embody the dual qualities of privacy and aesthetic appeal, making even the smallest yards feel like lush, private sanctuaries. Now, let's delve into some of the finest tall and skinny trees that can elevate your garden into a secluded paradise. 

In our expert guide, discover the top evergreen trees that excel in fast growth and lasting privacy. Perfect for transforming any backyard into a secluded retreat, our selection ranges from the slender elegance of the Italian Cypress to the robust Leyland Cypress. These trees promise to meet diverse landscaping needs while enhancing the beauty and tranquility of your outdoor space. Without further ado, let's explore these ideal evergreens for quick and year-round seclusion.

1. Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

The Italian Cypress is more than just a tree; it's a symbol of elegance and verticality. Known for its impressive height, reaching 40 to 60 feet, and a remarkably narrow spread of only three to six feet, this tree is a standout in any landscape. It’s particularly suited for those who wish to bring a touch of the Mediterranean into their gardens. The Italian Cypress is ideal for lining pathways, creating natural borders, or standing as a majestic sentinel at entryways. Its tall, slim form adds a sense of height and sophistication without taking up much ground space.

The practical benefits of the Italian Cypress extend beyond its aesthetic appeal. Its dense foliage provides an excellent natural screen, offering privacy and acting as a windbreak. This makes it a valuable addition to any garden, particularly in urban environments where space and privacy are precious. Moreover, its adaptability to different soil types and its drought tolerance make it a low-maintenance option, suitable for a range of climates. Care for the Italian Cypress is straightforward – it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil and requires minimal pruning, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners or those new to gardening.

2. Dwarf Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens 'Tiny Tower') 

For those with smaller spaces, the Dwarf Italian Cypress, or Tiny Tower, offers the classic beauty of the Italian Cypress in a more manageable size. Ideal for container gardening or small garden spaces, this variant reaches a height of 8-10 feet, making it perfect for balconies, patios, or small yards. Its vertical growth pattern and compact form bring the same elegance as its larger counterpart, adding a Mediterranean flair to various outdoor settings.

The Tiny Tower is particularly valuable for tight spaces where vertical structure is desired without overwhelming the area. Its evergreen nature ensures that it provides year-round beauty, adding a green, lush element to the landscape in all seasons. Its care requirements are similar to the Italian Cypress – it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, with minimal watering needs once established, making it a hassle-free addition to any garden.

3. Armstrong Red Maple Tree (Acer rubrum 'Armstrong')

The Armstrong Red Maple Tree is celebrated for its elegant, vertical growth and vibrant fall colors, making it a superb choice for landscapes where space is limited. This Red Maple variant reaches heights of 50 to 60 feet with a narrow spread of 15 feet, perfect for adding height and privacy without consuming much ground space. The fall brings a spectacular display of red and orange leaves, turning any garden into a striking autumnal scene.

Adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, the Armstrong Red Maple flourishes in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, slightly acidic soils. It's characterized by minimal pruning needs and a high tolerance for urban pollution, rendering it a low-maintenance and visually stunning option for gardeners eager to introduce a splash of color and privacy to their outdoor space.

Incorporating some of our California landscape ideas into your garden plan can further enhance the appeal of Armstrong Red Maple Tree, seamlessly blending it with other elements for a cohesive and attractive outdoor space.

4. Autumn Gold Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba 'Autumn Gold')

The Autumn Gold Ginkgo, a living relic, is renowned for its unique fan-shaped foliage that transitions to a brilliant yellow each fall. This fruitless male cultivar grows to a height and spread of 35 to 50 feet, making it an ideal, mess-free addition to any landscape. The Ginkgo's adaptability is notable, thriving in full sun across a spectrum of soil pH levels from acidic to alkaline, and it is impervious to most pests, diseases, and pollution.

Although the Autumn Gold Ginkgo does not provide the thickest foliage for privacy, its magnificent structure and vivid autumn coloration make it an outstanding feature in any garden. It serves as an eye-catching visual barrier, enriching the landscape with its timeless beauty and charm.

Its striking blue-green foliage is one of its standout features, offering a textured look that provides year-round visual appeal. The dense foliage is excellent for creating privacy screens or hedges, and its adaptability to various soil types, coupled with drought tolerance, makes it a low-maintenance choice for any landscape design. Additionally, the Skyrocket Juniper is known for its hardiness, capable of thriving in a range of climates and resisting common pests and diseases.

For those considering a mix of tree types in their garden, incorporating a fast growing bush for privacy can complement these taller trees, creating a multi-layered privacy solution.

5. Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)

The Eastern Redbud is a stunning choice for landscaping, celebrated for its beautiful appearance and versatility. This deciduous tree is known for its vibrant pink or purple flowers that bloom in early spring, creating an eye-catching display. It reaches a height of approximately 20 to 30 feet and a spread of 25 to 35 feet, making it suitable for a variety of garden sizes. The Eastern Redbud is particularly appealing due to its unique, tall, and skinny trunk, complemented by a wider spread, ideal for smaller spaces.

Beyond its ornamental flowers, the tree’s heart-shaped leaves contribute to its charm, providing delightful shade in summer and transitioning to shades of yellow and red in the fall. This year-round visual interest makes the Eastern Redbud a valued addition to any garden. It is adaptable to various soil types and can thrive in both sun and partial shade, making it an excellent choice for diverse garden settings.

6. Blue Point Juniper (Juniperus chinensis 'Blue Point')

The Blue Point Juniper is valued for its dense foliage and elegant conical shape, featuring blue-green leaves that enrich the garden throughout the year. It achieves a height of 12 feet and a width of 8 feet, making it suitable for enhancing privacy and structure in medium-sized gardens or as a distinctive feature in larger landscapes.

This juniper variety excels in full sun and well-drained soil, yet it's robust enough to withstand a range of environmental conditions, including drought and cold. Its moderate growth rate and resistance to common garden pests and diseases minimize the need for frequent care. The Blue Point Juniper is ideal for creating hedges or windbreaks, offering a serene and beautiful backdrop for any garden setting.

Crafting Your Secluded Sanctuary with Plants Express

Each of these trees offers a unique set of characteristics, making them perfect for adding vertical interest, privacy, and beauty to small gardens. Whether you're looking to create a lush screen, a focal point, or simply to add some green elegance to your space, these tall and skinny trees provide excellent options. Explore the variety at Plants Express and find the perfect tree to transform your garden into a peaceful, secluded sanctuary.

Sources: 

https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/find_a_plant/

https://plants.usda.gov/home