Best Trees for Front Yard That Will Enhance Privacy

Your front yard is the most important part of your house when it comes to creating the right first impression in the minds of your guests. This is where trees can play a very important role. Planting the right tree will help you achieve a lot more privacy and protection in a natural way. Live fencing is also extremely eco-friendly, making it a popular choice in modern households. This article will focus on the best trees for the front yard that will help you achieve more privacy.

What is a good tree to plant near a house?

There is a wide variety of trees that you may choose to plant near a house. The fast-growing tree varieties are naturally a popular choice for the easy-to-add layer of organic privacy. Fast-growing trees such as Hybrid Willow tree, Leyland Cypress, Green Giant Thuja, and Weeping Podocarpus can easily prove to be a great addition to any yard. While the growth rate is an important point to consider, the size of the yard is also an equally important determinant in this regard. Following is a list of the more popular options for large areas, mid-sized places, and small yards. For expert guidance on which tree variety best suits your property and climate, consider consulting a professional like tree service Tupelo, MS provider who can recommend and help maintain the right trees for your yard.

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1. Eastern Redcedar

This tree can reach 60 feet high and have a width of 20 feet at maturity. This is a great option for larger front yards. You will need to plant these trees about 20 feet apart. Also, make sure the trees are away from power lines.

Height: 40-60 feet

Width: 10-20 feet

Sunlight: 3 to 6 hours per day

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2. Hybrid Willow Tree (fast-growing)

This is a fast-growing privacy fence tree that will have you covered quickly. This disease-resistant tree has a growth rate of 6 to 12 feet per year and reaches its mature height in just five years. These plants are best suited for large to mid-sized yards.

Height: 35-45 feet in rows, 75 feet alone

Width: 20 feet

Sunlight: 3 to 6 hours per day

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3. Leyland Cypress (fast-growing)

A popular tree for privacy, the Leyland Cypress is a fast-growing, beautiful evergreen that is great for full coverage in large, well-drained front yards. They require mild to moderate temperatures and grow well in a variety of soil types.

Height: 40-60 feet in rows, 70 feet alone

Width: 15-20 feet in rows, 30 feet alone

Sunlight: 6 hours per day

4. Spartan Juniper

Spartan Junipers do best in dry soil and require a lot of sunlight. This tree is a great option for mid-sized front yards. Its bright red berries in early summer attractbirds, adding beauty and wildlife to your yard.

Height: 15 feet

Width: 3-5 feet

Sunlight: 6 hours per day

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5. Sky Pencil Holly

The Sky Pencil Holly will provide you with privacy while taking up little space. These plants are prone to root rot if overwatered, so make sure to have a well-drained system. This species thrives in moist, well-draining soil and prefers full sun to partial shade.

Height: 8-10 feet

Width: 2 feet

Sunlight: 3 to 6 hours per day

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6. Green Giant Thuja – Arborvitae (fast-growing)

This is known as one of the best trees for privacy and is extremely popular in many American front yards. These trees require very little maintenance and grow around 30 feet tall.

Height: 30-40 feet

Width: 5-8 feet in rows

Sunlight: 3 to 6 hours per day

7. Emerald Green Thuja (Arborvitae)

This species has a controlled growth rate of just 6 to 9 inches per year. This makes them a great choice for yards that are not too big. You will need to space them 2 feet apart for optimal privacy coverage.

Height: 12-14 feet

Width: 3-4 ft in rows

Sunlight: 3 – 6 hours per day

8. Flowering Dogwood Trees

This is a good privacy tree that comes with seasonal colored coverage. It produces white flowers in early spring, and its green leaves turn beautiful fall colors. You will need a well-drained soil that isn’t too dry for this species. These trees are perfect for large and mid-sized front yards and can grow up to 25 feet tall.

Height: 15-25 feet

Width: 15-25 feet

Sunlight: 3 to 6 hours per day

9. Weeping Podocarpus (fast-growing)

This is a fast-growing evergreen and is a popular privacy tree choice in Florida and California. These trees are good on large properties and need to be planted 10-15 feet away from buildings. When planting in rows, you will need to leave a gap of 5-10 feet between each tree.

Height: 35-45 feet

Width: 10-20 feet

Sunlight: 3 to 6 hours per day

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10. Goldspire Ginkgo

This is a durable, smog-resistant species that will do best in mid-sized front yards.

Height: 14-16 ft

Width: 5-6 ft

Sunlight: 3 to 6 hours per day

Where should you plant a tree in your front yard?

Where should you plant a tree in your front yard? While planting a tree in the front yard, you will need to know the mature size of the tree in question. It is a good idea to plant trees at least 15-20 feet away from the house to avoid structural damage to the building. If you are looking to plant a tree with spreading roots, you may have to plant it further away from the house.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick the best trees for your front yard and give the exterior of your house a renovated feeling. Whether you choose a small deciduous tree like a Japanese Maple with pink flowers or a flowering tree like Cornus Florida, the right choice will not only provide privacy but also enhance your yard’s beauty throughout the seasons. You may want to use our cost estimator to calculate the total cost of the renovation project that you have in mind.

Bottom line

Choosing the right trees for your front yard not only enhances privacy but also adds beauty and character to your landscape. Whether you prefer flowering trees like Cornus Florida, which produces stunning white flowers in early spring, or a small deciduous tree such as a Japanese maple with its delicate green leaves that develop breathtaking fall colors, there is an option to suit every yard. Many of these trees also help attract birds, making your outdoor space even more vibrant.

Consider the soil type and ensure your trees thrive in moist, well-draining soil while receiving the appropriate amount of sunlight—whether they prefer full sun or thrive in partial shade. If you love seasonal variety, look for species with heart-shaped leaves that turn bright red in autumn or those that bloom with pink flowers in early summer. By selecting the right trees and placing them strategically, you can create a lush, private, and visually appealing front yard that will stand out throughout the year.

Best Trees for Your Front Yard to Achieve More Privacy was last modified: July 22nd, 2025 by Billy Guteng

Written by Billy Guteng. March 12, 2025

Billy is a content writer for Kukun. He was born in France, and has lived in multiple cities around the world ever since. He loves art, design and architecture as well as construction and real estate.