Dense evergreen trees are a great solution to keep your nosy neighbors from peeping or add a little green to your landscape.
With their evergreen foliage, they can provide year-round privacy. On top of that, some of these trees grow up to 3 feet per year, meaning you can quickly establish the privacy and seclusion you desire.
Here are the top eleven evergreen trees for Tennessee you can grow in your landscape for privacy.
11 Excellent Evergreen Trees in Tennessee for Privacy
1. Leyland Cypress (Cuprocyparis leylandii)
Leyland Cypress is one of the best options if you want complete year-round privacy. The tree grows dense branches that provide complete isolation; you can barely see through.
A great feature of this tree is that it is fast-growing. They are well-known in Tennessee for their rapid growth of up to three feet per year.
Leyland Cypress thrives in full sun, medium shade, and well-drained, moist soil. These Cypress trees are also extremely low-maintenance, requiring trimming every two to three years.
Other Common Names: Leylandii, Leyland Cypress Hedge
USDA Growing Zones: 6 – 10
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 60 feet tall, 8 – 10 feet wide
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
2. Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara)
Deodar Cedar is another lovely evergreen tree that most people plant for privacy screens in Tennessee. It’s a popular choice because of its unique shape and size, which can reach 40 feet in height.
Plus, it is a hardy tree that tolerates cold temperatures, so that it could be optimum for winters in the Tennessee mountains. It’s no surprise that it’s known as the “evergreen tree of the South.”
Deodar Cedar’s leaves are gorgeous dark green, requiring very little maintenance. As a result, it only needs trimming no more frequently than once every two to three years.
This type of Cedar tree prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining, acidic soil to thrive.
Fun fact: the Deodar Cedar is native to the Himalayas and is often referred to as the “Timber of Gods”!
Other Common Names: Himalayan Cedar, Deodara Cedar
USDA Growing Zones: 7 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 60 feet tall, 25 – 35 feet wide
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
3. Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra)
It’s easy to see why the Austrian Pine evergreen tree is a favorite in Tennessee. Its bright green needles give any outdoor space a happy hue.
The Austrian Pine grows in a dense pattern and at a moderate rate. It’s an excellent choice for backyards and even smaller yards since it can grow up to 40 feet tall but only 15 feet wide.
Remember to plant this pine tree it in a sunny location; the tree needs direct sunlight. Your Austrian Pine will be content if the soil is well-drained and acidic. Also, this tree is very tough; it can survive temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Other Common Names: Austrian White Pine, Black Pine
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size at Maturity: 30 – 50 ft. tall, 25-30 ft wide
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
4. Blue Atlas Cedar (Cedrus atlantica)
Plant one of these lovely conifers in Tennessee, and you’ll be rewarded with a lush, evergreen privacy screen. The Blue Atlas Cedar has silky, silvery-blue needles that will entirely transform your landscape’s aesthetics. But remember to plant it away from power lines, as it can grow tall.
Blue Atlas Cedar’s needles have a lovely lemony scent. Its cones are a striking powdered blue. This evergreen tree is also disease-resistant, so you can enjoy it without worrying about maintenance.
Regarding sun exposure, the Blue Atlas Cedar is adaptable and can thrive in full sun and partial shade. As far as soil goes, this plant is picky. It needs well-drained soil with an acidic to slightly alkaline pH.
Other Common Names: Atlas Cedar, Cedar of Lebanon
USDA Growing Zones: 6 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 60 feet tall and 20 – 25 feet wide
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
5. Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
Nothing screams privacy like a Douglas fir! Its lofty, magnificent appearance makes giant towers, providing complete privacy.This tree is native to the western United States, but it does well in Tennessee, especially in the mountainous areas of the state.
Besides providing privacy, the Douglas fir will significantly add character to your landscape. It has beautiful, deep green needle leaves, which makes it aesthetically unique. Plus, it is the perfect backdrop for your backyard BBQ.
Douglas fir can tolerate both full sun and partial shade.
Other Common Names: Oregon Pine, Douglas Tree
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 7
Average Size at Maturity: 60 – 260 feet tall, 10 – 20 feet wide
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
6. Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Eastern Hemlock is one of the tallest trees in North America. So, it’s always looking down on the competition.
Eastern Hemlock is tough and resilient. It can take on harsh climates and adapt to whatever life throws it. This tall and stately tree can grow to a whopping 80 feet and provides dense shade throughout the year. Its textured foliage also adds a lovely aesthetic to any yard.
This stunning tree prefers partial shade to full shade. It grows best in moist, well-drained, sandy, loamy soil.
Other Common Names: Canadian Hemlock, Hemlock Spruce, Tsuga Canadensis
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 7
Average Size at Maturity: 35 – 80 ft tall, 20 – 25 ft wide
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
7. Norway Spruce (Picea abies)
Like, douglas fir, Norway spruce is another remarkable evergreen tree known for its towering height. It will provide privacy and act as a large screen against the outside world.
Norway spruce’s deep green needles will add a beautiful touch to your Tennessee yard. This non-flowering tree may not be colorful, but its evergreen needles can make a statement. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can shape them into a hedge or topiary.
Keep an eye on this Spruce trees growth rate, as it can become unruly if you do not prune it regularly. Also, it is pretty flexible and can handle full sun and partial shade.
Other Common Names: European Spruce, Norwegian Spruce
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 7
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 60 ft. tall, 15 – 20 ft. wide
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
8. American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
Native to eastern Canada and some parts of the USA, American Arborvitae is a slow-growing conifer that’s popular for its privacy and screening abilities.
Resistant to a number of challenges, the tree is low maintenance and tolerates poor soil quality. In Latin, the word “arborvitae” means “tree of life.”
An interesting fact is that deer don’t like this tree; they are unlikely to munch on the foliage.
The American Arborvitae can grow very tall, making it an excellent alternative for planting along a fence line.
The American Arborvitae can thrive in both full sun and partial shade and it needs well-drained, moist soil with an acidic to slightly alkaline pH.
Other Common Names: Eastern Arborvitae, Northern White Cedar
USDA Growing Zones: 3 – 7
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 60 feet tall and 8 – 15 feet wide
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
9. Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica)
With its unique, silvery foliage and ability to withstand heat and drought, the Arizona cypress can make any landscape look very polished. It’s no surprise that so many people prefer this plant.
Arizona cypress is robust, low-maintenance, and, best of all, it loves the sun. Also, it has a beautiful aroma that will fill your garden. Its deep root system can withstand strong winds and storms, making it the perfect choice for those windy Tennessee days.
Arizona cypress can tolerate almost any lighting condition, from full sun to moderate shade. This plant is also tolerant to soil conditions. It can flourish in well-draining soil with a moderate pH.
Other Common Names: Blue Cypress, Texas Cypress, Desert Cypress
USDA Growing Zones: 7 – 10
Average Size at Maturity: 30 – 50 feet tall and 10 – 15 feet wide
Available at: Nature Hills
10. White Fir (Abies concolor)
White fir is another excellent choice for complete privacy. It’s an old tree that will give your property a touch of timelessness.
Its needles are an attractive shade of silver-green, which brings absolute isolation to your landscape.
Because this tree is relatively resistant and grows in various situations, it is a favorite landscape plant. With its tall and pointed form, white fir appears like a Christmas tree all year – only it doesn’t come with ornaments or gifts.
White fir loves the sun, so plant it where it can get plenty of it.
Other Common Names: Concolor Fir, Colorado White Fir
USDA Growing Zones: 4 – 7
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 100 feet tall and 20 – 30 ft. wide
Available at: Nature Hills
11. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Eastern Red Cedar is a Tennessee-native tree found in other south-eastern states. It is the official evergreen tree of the state.
This plant may appear attractive initially, but it may be unpleasant if you allow it to take over your landscape. The Eastern Red Cedar spreads quickly and can suffocate other plants around it.
The Eastern Red Cedar also spreads a lot of seeds. Birds, squirrels, and other animals enjoy the berries it produces, so the trees of ten widely.
Eastern Red Cedar leaves are often used in cooking and tea preparation. To thrive, the Eastern Red Cedar requires full sun. It has specific soil requirements, favoring moist, acidic, well-drained soil.
Other Common Names: Red Cedar, Juniper, Pencil Cedar
USDA Growing Zones: 2 – 9
Average Size at Maturity: 40 – 50 feet tall and 20 – 30 feet wide
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
Choosing Evergreen Trees in Tennessee
Growing evergreen trees is one of the best ways to ensure privacy while enjoying nature’s beauty and comfort.
Tennessee spans USDA zones 5b through 8a which means you have a wide variety of evergreen trees that thrive there. With so many options available, deciding which evergreen trees you should grow in Tennessee can take a little time.
You can go for Leyland Cypress or Austrian Pine, as they don’t require much maintenance. Similarly, you can opt for Deodar Cedar for its classic charm and exotic history.
We are sure any of these eleven evergreen trees will provide lots of beauty and privacy to your landscape.
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