Expert Guidance for Privacy Screening
Deer-Resistant Evergreens for Year-Round Privacy
One of the most common questions we receive is about choosing the right evergreen privacy screen. Our landscape designers can visit your property to evaluate the best strategy for fast, effective results that fit your budget. He’ll review spacing and configuration options to maximize coverage and help you create your private backyard oasis quickly. Below, we’ll explore the different deer-resistant trees and shrubs available for privacy screens, highlighting the appeal of each, as well as other great options for fenced-in areas—making it easier for you to choose the perfect solution.
Norway Spruce
Size: 25-30′ Wide and 40-60′ Tall
Growth Habit: Pyramidal Shape
Growth Rate: 12-24″ per year once established
Light Requirements: Full Sun is best but can take some shade
Soil Requirements: Various Soils
Appeal: Completely deer resistant and dense, the Norway Spruce is an ideal privacy screen if you
have the space. Beautiful dark green needles and strong branches make it a very attractive tree.
Green Giant Arborvitae
Size: 10-20′ Wide and 50-60′ Tall
Growth Habit: Pyramidal Shape
Growth Rate: Fast – Can grow 3′ in a year once established
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil Requirements: Various Soils – Moist Tolerant
Appeal: Creates a very dense fast growing screen. Despite its rapid growth, it can withstand heavy snow loads.
It’s extremely fast growth rate make it an excellent choice for rapid screening.
Privacy Screen Planting: 6′ on center or closer for an instant screen
Oriental Spruce
Size: 15-20′ Wide and 50-60′ Tall
Growth Habit: Dense Pyramid
Growth Rate: Slow to Medium 6-12″ per year
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Dappled Shade
Soil Requirements: Various well drained soils
Appeal: Short dark green needles on a neat pyramid is a wonderful combination. More shade tolerant than any other spruce. Slower growing and more handsome when full grown than Norway Spruce.
Leyland Cypress
Size: 15-25′ Wide and 60-70′ Tall
Growth Habit: Columnar
Growth Rate: Fast – 1-2′ per year once established.
Light Requirements: Full Sun
Soil Requirements: Various Soils
Appeal: Another fast growing privacy screen that should be planted in full sun.
Leyland Cypress has fine soft needles that turn a blue green in maturity.
Skip Laurel
Size: 7′ Wide and 10′ Tall +
Growth Habit: Bush
Growth Rate: Medium to Fast – 12-24″ per year once established
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Shade
Soil Requirements: Various Soils
Appeal: Creates an excellent shorter privacy hedge that can be pruned into any shape. Elongated glossy green leaves are
also a contrast to the other needle evergreens. Excellent for shade as well. Deer may nibble it in a harsh winter.
‘Skinny Skips’ are another great option, offering the same fast growth as standard varieties but with a narrower habit, reaching just 3–4 feet wide.