Privacy, Please! Evergreens Are Nature’s Perfect Barrier
When it comes to creating a peaceful outdoor retreat, few things are as effective - or as beautiful - as a strategically planted evergreen privacy screen. Whether you’re looking to shield your property from nosy neighbors, block an unsightly view, or simply create a more intimate outdoor space, evergreens offer a natural solution that’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing. At Montano’s Landscaping, we understand that privacy matters, and we’re here to help you achieve it with the right evergreen selections for your Midwest landscape.
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Why Evergreens Are a Great Privacy Solution
There are instances where fences are necessary; if you have a pet or children, having a solid barrier to keep them safe is important. That said, when containment is not the primary reason for your barrier, and privacy is, evergreens fit the bill perfectly while also giving the softness and movement that you may be looking for. Unlike deciduous trees that lose their leaves each fall, evergreens maintain their dense foliage year-round, providing consistent screening in every season.
Beyond functionality, evergreens offer lasting aesthetic value. They provide structure and visual interest to your landscape even in the depths of winter. Many varieties showcase rich, vibrant greens that serve as an attractive backdrop to your home. They also provide environmental benefits: evergreens support wildlife, help reduce noise pollution, and can improve air quality. When placed thoughtfully, evergreens can also block some of those harsh late fall and winter winds.
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Which Evergreens Are a Solid Choice for Our Midwestern Climate?
If you’re looking for quick results, not all evergreens are created equal. Here are our favorite fast-growing, hardy evergreen options ideal for Midwest climates:
Emerald Green Arborvitae tops our list for privacy hedging. These columnar trees grow quickly (1-2 feet per year) and reach heights of 10-15 feet. They stay narrow (3-4 feet in diameter), making them perfect for creating formal privacy screens without consuming excessive space. They’re extremely cold-hardy and thrive throughout Midwest growing zones.
Green Giant Arborvitae is a powerhouse for large-scale privacy needs. This hybrid arborvitae grows 3-4 feet per year, and we have personally seen them grow up to 30 feet tall. It’s broader than Emerald Green (reaching 12-18 feet in width), making it ideal when you need more substantial width coverage in a large space. Green Giant is exceptionally disease-resistant and handles Midwest winters with ease, thriving in zones 5-8.
Techny Arborvitae is specifically bred for cold climates and offers excellent hardiness. It grows to about 20 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, and it maintains a dense form that’s ideal for windbreaks and privacy screens. It’s also drought-resistant and grows well in clay soil, so this is a solid choice if you don’t have the most ideal conditions.
Taylor’s Universe Juniper offers a slightly different aesthetic while delivering excellent performance. This compact juniper grows at a moderate pace and features soft, feathery blue-green foliage that adds visual interest to your yard. It’s incredibly cold-hardy and drought-tolerant once established, making it perfect for Midwest landscapes. Its narrow upright form works beautifully in mixed evergreen plantings. Plus, juniper gives off that fantastic woody pine scent we all love!
Canadian Hemlock offers soft, feathery foliage and graceful appearance while growing at a moderate to fast pace. These trees are highly shade-tolerant and establish well in Midwest conditions. They can grow up to 40 feet tall and 25 feet wide, so make sure to have plenty of space for this gorgeous tree to spread.
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Evergreens Mean Easy Maintenance for Busy Lifestyles
One of the biggest advantages of using evergreens for privacy is that they require minimal maintenance once established. Most evergreens need little to no pruning, though a light trim in early spring can help maintain shape and density. Unlike deciduous trees that shed leaves requiring autumn cleanup, evergreens keep your landscape looking neat year-round. Some varieties shed, but they’re usually neat in doing so – the spent needles fall around the base of the tree offering a natural mulch that helps the roots retain moisture.
When selecting varieties, choose those suited to your site conditions. Full sun locations work best for most evergreens (and often helps them grow more quickly), though some species like Canadian Hemlock tolerate partial shade. Ensure adequate spacing according to mature width; crowding can lead to disease and pest problems. Well-draining soil is important, so if your soil stays wet, make sure to consider species specifically adapted to moist conditions.
Water newly planted evergreens regularly during their first growing season, gradually reducing frequency as they establish. A 2-3 inch layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture and regulates temperature around the root zone. Just make sure not to pile the mulch against the base of the tree – this can lead to rot.
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Plant Now and Establish Deep Roots Before Winter
With a month left of summer, there’s still time to plant evergreens and allow them to establish before the onset of harsh winter weather. When you plant in late summer and early fall, newly installed evergreens have several months to send out root growth while soil temperatures remain moderate.
This early establishment period is crucial. Trees planted now will develop strong root systems that are better equipped to survive winter stress and drought conditions next summer. By contrast, spring-planted trees have only a few weeks to establish before facing summer heat and stress, meaning they require more frequent watering to support their establishment and growth.
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Creating Your Privacy Plan
The key to a successful privacy screen is planning. Consider the height you need to achieve your screening goals, the width of space you have available, and the soil and light conditions of your planting area. If you have the space, you may even want to consider a double row of evergreens, staggered slightly, to create faster coverage than a single line.
When we plant evergreens for our customers, we typically space trees close enough to fill in within 5-7 years, rather than at their mature width. This creates a denser privacy screen sooner while still allowing for growth. This strategy does require pruning, but if privacy is the goal, it is the best way to achieve it in the least time.
Creating a natural privacy barrier with evergreens is one of the best investments you can make in your property’s beauty and value. The good news? There’s still time to get trees in the ground this season.
If you aren’t up to the task of DIYing your planting, we are here to help. Give us a call at 630.271.9709 to discuss your landscape goals, and Carlos will personally guide you in selection of the perfect evergreen varieties for your property. Your neighbors will notice the new screen - just not what’s behind it.