Italian Cypress

Some trees are great for privacy because they grow well together and add sculptural interest to the yard. Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), for example, has an elegant, column-like shape that makes it seem like a great option—but it could pose a problem if you live in an area prone to wildfires.

“These trees grow very large and hold on to dead leaves within their dense canopies, making them messy and highly flammable,” says Rhonda Wood, consulting arborist and CEO of Woodworks Tree Preservation.

Maple Trees

Maple trees are delightful for fall color, but they should be avoided if you’re trying to create a barrier. “Most deciduous trees won’t provide privacy year-round, because they lose their leaves,” says Laura Irish-Hanson, an extension horticulture educator at the University of Minnesota Extension.

Ironwood

If you live in a coastal area, then you might consider growing ironwood (Casuarina equisetifolia), as it does best in sandy soils. It resembles a conifer, with wispy, needle-like branchlets, and grows quickly—which seems ideal if you want to create a barrier. However, ironwood can spread quickly and ruin the rest of your yard if you’re not diligent.

“These trees are often used as windbreak screens because they grow fast, however, they’re considered invasive, and can spread in your landscape,” says Wood.

Bald Cypress

Bald cypress (Taxodium) seems like it would be a great tree for privacy, as it’s covered in lush green needles from top to bottom. Additionally, it can handle most soil types, and is very drought tolerant, making it great for most yards. However, it’s named “bald cypress” for a reason: The tree drops its needles in the winter, creating a viewable gap that was previously hidden.

Indian Laurel Fig

Those who live in warm climates might consider using Indian laurel fig (Ficus microcarpa) as a privacy screen, since it has dense foliage. However, these trees need at least 4 to 7 feet of space between them, which leaves a lot of open room for prying eyes, and they need a lot of room.

“They make great hedges if you have the space to grow them, and the resources to prune them,” says Wood. “However, they have an aggressive root system that can be damaging to infrastructure if not given enough space.”

Bamboo

Though not a true tree, bamboo seems like a good privacy option because it forms dense clusters, and grows quickly. It can sometimes work in large areas, if you can keep it contained, but it’s an absolute no-go for smaller spaces. And even if you have ample room, bamboo can cause serious structural damage if not kept in check. (Pro tip: Always plant bamboo in containers, it’s just too aggressive to plant in the ground.)

“Many bamboo species spread by their root systems,” says Wood. “Clumping bamboo is better used, but it still needs intense maintenance to make a good screening candidate.”

Leyland Cypress

Some trees, like the Leyland cypress (× Hesperotropsis leylandii), were bred to be good privacy barrier trees, but they still don’t work quite as well as many shrubs. “It needs a wide space to grow, and is susceptible to various diseases, such as blights, cankers, and root rots,” says Wood.