The NJ homeowner’s guide to creating a natural privacy screen that thrives in New Jersey’s Zone 7 climate. PHR’s Top 10 Trees for Privacy in NJ:
Whether you’re blocking a neighbor’s second-story window, reducing noise, or creating a more peaceful backyard space, privacy trees are one of the most effective landscaping solutions for New Jersey homeowners.
But not all trees thrive in our climate – and many commonly planted species actually become problems later (shallow roots, disease issues, messy cleanup, or overwhelming size). The key is choosing trees that grow fast, require minimal care, and stay healthy in NJ’s mix of hot summers, cold winters, clay soils, and periodic droughts.
This guide highlights our favorite low-maintenance privacy trees that landscapers rely on and homeowners love, including the best fast-growers, evergreens, and native options.
Why Privacy Trees Are So Popular in Central NJ
Across Union, Middlesex, Somerset, and surrounding counties, homeowners face similar property challenges:
- Houses built close together
- Small to medium suburban lots
- Two-story homes overlooking each other
- Busy backyards, decks, or pools needing screening
- Road noise from nearby streets
- Limited fencing permissions in some towns
Privacy trees solve these issues naturally – while adding shade, wildlife value, and a lush landscape aesthetic.
The best privacy trees for NJ should be:
✔ Fast-growing
✔ Low-maintenance
✔ Disease-resistant
✔ Cold-hardy
✔ Able to handle clay soil
✔ Not overly messy
✔ Non-invasive
✔ Evergreen (when year-round privacy is desired)
Let’s get into PHR’s favorite options!
1. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)
The #1 privacy tree for any NJ home – fast, hardy, and nearly maintenance free.
If homeowners ask landscapers “What grows fast and gives me total privacy?”, this is the most common recommendation.
Why it’s excellent:
- Grows 3–5 feet per year
- Reaches 30–40 feet tall
- Dense, year-round coverage
- Very cold-hardy and heat-tolerant
- Resistant to deer (less appealing, not deer-proof)
Best for:
Long property borders, lining fences, creating instant “living walls.”
Spacing: 6–10 feet apart for optimal density.
2. American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
A classic, narrower privacy tree great for suburban lots.
More compact than Green Giant, but still provides excellent year-round screening.
Why it’s low maintenance:
- Handles full sun to part shade
- Good for tighter spaces
- Very cold-hardy
- Looks formal and tidy
- Works well as individual specimens or rows
Best for:
Small–medium yards where width is a concern.
3. Leyland Cypress (in ideal locations) (Cupressus × leylandii)
Fast-growing and lush – but only recommended when site conditions are appropriate.
Leyland Cypress grows incredibly fast (up to 4 feet per year), but it prefers well-drained soil and can struggle in wet, compacted areas. With the right conditions, it’s one of the best privacy trees available.
Why homeowners love it:
- Lush, soft evergreen foliage
- Very fast growth
- Great for long privacy rows
Best for:
Higher, WELL-DRAINED areas – Make sure they are *NOT* placed in poorly draining clay pockets.
4. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
A fast-growing native that creates soft, natural privacy.
One of the few native privacy trees; One of the best for a natural, woodland look.
Why it works well in NJ:
- Very fast growth
- Soft, feathery needles
- Great for larger properties
- Tolerates cold, wind, and rough conditions
Best for:
Homes bordering wooded areas, or properties wanting a softer, more natural aesthetic.
5. Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’)
An evergreen privacy tree with berries and beautiful texture.
Hollies can be a surprisingly powerful privacy plants, and Nellie Stevens Holly is the standout performer.
Benefits:
- Dense, evergreen foliage
- Attractive red berries for wildlife
- Tolerates heat, cold, and drought
- Grows 2–3 feet per year
- Great for smaller yards needing compact privacy
Best for:
Side-yard barriers, pool screening, foundation privacy.
6. Skip Laurel (Cherry Laurel ‘Schipkaensis’)
One of the best broadleaf evergreens for NJ privacy.
Skip Laurels are extremely popular among landscapers because they stay dense, look polished, and thrive in part shade.
Why they’re excellent privacy plants:
- Dense structure
- Deep green, lush leaves
- Tolerates shade better than most privacy trees
- Covers up fences beautifully
- Grows tall but stays narrow
Best for:
Shadier areas where Arborvitae may struggle.
7. American Holly (Ilex opaca)
A native evergreen with excellent year-round screening.
This holly is adaptive, long-lived, and extremely cold-hardy.
Why it’s a top choice:
- Native to NJ
- Great for wildlife (berries + shelter)
- Very low maintenance
- Handles clay soil
- Provides reliable winter coverage
Best for:
Naturalized borders, woodland edges, year-round privacy.
8. Witch Hazel (for partial privacy or mixed screening) (Hamamelis)
A unique flowering shrub/tree hybrid that adds beauty and structure.
Witch Hazel isn’t a full privacy tree on its own, but it’s excellent when used as part of a mixed privacy border.
Benefits:
- Fragrant flowers
- Very low maintenance
- Great for transitional shade
- Native to NJ
- Provides winter and early-spring interest
Best for:
Creating attractive mixed hedges.
9. Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria)
A fantastic alternative to Leyland Cypress with fewer issues.
Japanese Cedar is becoming increasingly popular in NJ landscapes year after year.
Why it’s great:
- Fast-growing
- Attractive soft needles
- Resistant to disease
- Handles winter conditions
- Creates a tall, uniform screen
Best for:
Backyard perimeter planting where height is needed.
10. Norwegian Spruce (Picea abies)
The most cold-hardy large privacy tree on this list.
If you need privacy and wind protection, nothing performs better in NJ.
Why it’s exceptional:
- Very fast growth
- Extremely cold-tolerant
- Tall, dense structure
- Perfect for noise reduction
- Ideal for larger properties
Best for:
Backyard perimeters, wide lots, exposed areas.
Spacing & Planting Tips for Privacy Trees
To get the fastest and fullest coverage:
Spacing Guidelines:
- Arborvitae: 6–10 ft apart
- Hollies: 5–8 ft apart
- Laurels: 3–6 ft apart
- Pines & spruces: 10–15 ft apart
Soil Tips:
- Break up compacted clay
- Add compost when planting
- Ensure proper drainage for cypress-type trees
Watering:
First 12–18 months are critical. Once established, these trees are extremely low maintenance!
Which Privacy Tree Should You Choose?
Here’s a simple cheat sheet we regularly suggest to our clients:
Want fastest growth?
➡ Green Giant Arborvitae
➡ Leyland Cypress (good drainage only)
Want year-round evergreen privacy?
➡ Holly
➡ Laurel
➡ Arborvitae
➡ Japanese Cedar
Need shade tolerance?
➡ Skip Laurel
➡ American Holly
Want native species?
➡ Eastern White Pine
➡ American Holly
➡ Witch Hazel
Have a large property?
➡ White Pine
➡ Norwegian Spruce
The Better Landscaping Company in Westfield, Fanwood, & Scotch Plains NJ
Privacy trees are one of the most effective and attractive ways to transform your yard. Whether you need year-round screening, noise reduction, or a natural border, the trees on this list are proven performers in Central New Jersey’s climate.
They offer:
✔ Fast growth
✔ Beautiful structure
✔ Minimal maintenance
✔ Year-round privacy (evergreens)
✔ Excellent long-term value
Choosing the right species now means enjoying a private, peaceful outdoor space for years.
Start planning your 2026 landscape design with PHR!
Maintaining a manicured landscape starts with consistent, professional care – and that’s where we come in!
💡 If you’re looking for a dependable, experienced landscaping services in Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Westfield, and Surrounding Areas, we’re here to help.
👉 Call PHR Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation
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Phone: (908) 322-6500
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1590 E. 2nd Street, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
