There are so many choices, yet hard to know what is best. Certain trees may not be hardy, or get too large, or don't stay evergreen through the rough winters. In this post I will be sharing the best evergreens that are perfect for a screen!
1. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)
Hardy in USDA Zones: 4-8. Matures to 30'-40' tall by 15'-20' wide. Perfect screening tree for large areas, where dwarf screening plants are not efficient. Extremely fast growing at 3' per year. Even starting with small specimens, you will have your screen in no time!
2. Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd')
Hardy in USDA Zones: 3-7 (winter burn can occur in direct winter winds in zone 3) Matures to 12'-15' tall by 4'-5' wide. Perfect dwarf screening evergreen for small/tight spaces.
3. American Holly (Ilex opaca)
Hardy in USDA Zones: 5-9. Matures to 30'-60' tall by 15'-30' wide. (Usually doesn't get larger than 30' tall by 15' wide at maturity in Zones 5-6) Requires acidic soils. In soils with high pH, apply HollyTone or acidic fertilizer. Perfect broadleaf evergreen as a screen! Green leaves that persist all winter, and bright red berries that attract lots of birds around the holidays will surely bring cheer!
4. Yew spp. (Taxus spp.)
There are several Yew species and too many cultivars to count. With so many options to choose from there are dwarf (shrub) forms or large shrubs used as screens. Some cultivars that can be used as screens include 'Hick's', 'Captain'... Matures to 10'-15' tall by 5'-8' wide. Some Yews exist that can reach 30' tall and wide or bigger, but those are extremely difficult to manage and are not recommended for screening. Most are hardy in USDA Zones: 4-7.
5. Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Two cultivars in my opinion are the best for screening. First one is 'cupressina' Norway Spruce. Matures to 15'-20' tall by 5'-8' wide. Second one grows a bit wider to fill more space as a screen. It is 'Sherwood Compact'. Matures to 10'-15' tall by 8'-10' wide. Norway Spruce is hardy in USDA Zones: 2-8.
6. 'Degroot's Spire' Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire')
Similar to the Emerald Green, but has a more neat compact look. It grows to the same height but is slightly more narrow than the Emerald Green. Matures to 15' tall by 2'-4' wide. Hardy in USDA Zones: 3-7 (Winter burn can occur in direct winter winds in zone 3)
7. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)
Hardy in USDA Zones: 5-10 (In zone 5 winters can suffer winter burn in exposed windy sites. Plant in protected spot) Very fast growing at nearly 3' per year! Even starting with small plants, you will have your screen in no time!
8. 'Taylor' Juniper (Juniperus virginiana 'Taylor')
The most upright of any Eastern Red Cedar! As narrow as an Italian Cypress, but is MUCH more cold hardy! Perfect for narrow areas where wide plants are not possible. Matures to 30' tall by 2'-3' wide. Hardy in USDA Zones: 3-9
9. Black Hills White Spruce (Picea glauca 'Densata')
Compact Spruce that stays smaller than other Spruces. Can exceed 50' in height in cool climates where summers rarely get warmer than 80°F, and the soil and geography is very rocky or mountainous, but in most areas in the Eastern US that is not likely. Has good resistance to needle cast disease which is terrible in Blue Spruce. Matures to 30' tall by 15' wide. Hardy in USDA Zones- 2-7.
10. Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
The Eastern Hemlock is a gorgeous tree with soft needles that have a pendulous nature. Responses very well to heavy pruning. Can be kept small as a screen or large hedge, otherwise matures to 50'-75' tall by 25'-40' wide. Hardy in USDA Zones: 3-7. One of the few evergreen conifers to grow in shade and moist soils. Grows in full sun as well. It is not tolerant of severe drought. It is highly susceptible to a deadly disease called Wooly Adelgid. As of now it is only found east of the Appalachian Mountains. So the Western US, Plains, and Midwest should not worry about this pest. Requires acidic soils. If soils are not acidic, simply apply HollyTone, or acid fertilizer.
NOTE: Please do research on plants before buying and planting them. Different plants require different growing conditions, such as light, water, cold hardiness, soil type, and pH level
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