When choosing a tree to plant for privacy around your pool there are a few considerations.
Does it lose leaves and how often? (Is it deciduous or evergreen).
Is the root system invasive?
How big will the tree get?
We took all of this into consideration before showing you the fantastic selection of trees below.
Take a look and see which ones suit your property and style the best!
Best Privacy Trees for Around a Pool
1. Emerald Green Arborvitae
Perfect for creating a lush privacy screen, Emerald Green Arborvitae features dense, emerald-green foliage that stays vibrant year-round.
Ideal for small spaces, these trees grow tall but remain compact, making them a favorite for poolside privacy.
Known for their slender, upright growth, Emerald Green Arborvitae trees are low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, ensuring your pool area stays private and beautiful throughout all seasons.
- USDA Growing Zone: 2-7
- Average Mature Size: 10-15 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’
Available at:
Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
2. Boxwood
Boxwood is a classic choice for poolside privacy, known for its dense, lush foliage that can be easily shaped into neat hedges.
This evergreen shrub provides year-round greenery and a formal look to your pool area.
Its slow growth rate and low maintenance make Boxwood ideal for creating a refined and elegant privacy screen.
- USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
- Average Mature Size: 2-8 feet tall, 2-8 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Buxus spp.
Available at:
Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
3. Privet
Perfect for creating a dense privacy screen, Privet features lush, green foliage that grows quickly, providing instant seclusion around your pool.
This hardy evergreen is easy to shape and maintain, making it an excellent choice for a tailored, neat hedge.
Its resilience and adaptability ensure a vibrant, long-lasting barrier, enhancing the beauty and privacy of your pool area.
- USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
- Average Mature Size: 8-12 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Evergreen or Deciduous (varies by species)
- Botanical Name: Ligustrum spp.
Available at:
Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
4. Leyland Cypress
Cupressus Leylandi is a top choice for quick-growing privacy around your pool, with its dense, dark green foliage creating a robust screen.
This evergreen tree is low-maintenance and highly adaptable, thriving in a variety of conditions.
Its impressive height and rapid growth rate ensure effective and long-lasting seclusion for your pool area.
- USDA Growing Zone: 6-10
- Average Mature Size: 40-60 feet tall, 15-25 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Cupressus × leylandii
Available at:
5. Little Gem Magnolia
With its stunning, creamy white flowers and glossy, dark green leaves, Little Gem Magnolia adds elegance and privacy to any pool area.
This compact evergreen tree grows slowly and maintains a neat shape, making it perfect for smaller spaces.
Its year-round foliage ensures continuous coverage, while its fragrant blooms enhance the beauty of your backyard oasis.
- USDA Growing Zone: 7-10
- Average Mature Size: 15-20 feet tall, 7-10 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’
Available at:
Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
6. Thuja Green Giants
Thuja Green Giants grow rapidly, providing a quick solution for poolside privacy with their tall, dense foliage.
These hardy evergreens are not only fast-growing but also resilient to pests and diseases, ensuring a healthy, long-lasting screen.
Creating a majestic backdrop, Thuja Green Giants are perfect for larger spaces, offering year-round greenery and privacy.
Their impressive height and lush growth make them a stunning and effective barrier around any pool area.
- USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
- Average Mature Size: 30-40 feet tall, 12-15 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Thuja standishii x plicata
Available at:
Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
7. Backyard Bliss Lilly Pilly
Backyard Bliss Lilly Pilly is perfect for poolside privacy, featuring dense, glossy foliage that provides year-round coverage.
This fast-growing hedge is known for its compact size and pest-resistant nature, making it ideal for creating a lush, private oasis.
Its attractive berries and white flowers add a touch of beauty to your pool area, enhancing the overall aesthetic.
- USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
- Average Mature Size: 10-13 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Syzygium australe ‘Backyard Bliss’
8. Podocarpus
Podocarpus is a versatile and elegant option for poolside privacy, featuring dense, dark green foliage that remains lush year-round.
This low-maintenance evergreen can be easily shaped to fit any space, making it ideal for creating a tailored privacy screen.
Its slow to moderate growth rate ensures a neat and manageable hedge, perfect for enhancing your pool area with a touch of sophistication.
- USDA Growing Zone: 7-11
- Average Mature Size: 20-40 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Podocarpus macrophyllus
Available at:
Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
9. Cherry Laurel
Cherry Laurel is an excellent choice for poolside privacy with its dense, glossy green leaves that stay vibrant throughout the year.
This fast-growing shrub provides a solid, lush screen, ideal for creating a secluded and serene pool area.
Its fragrant white flowers in spring add a delightful touch, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your backyard oasis.
- USDA Growing Zone: 6-9
- Average Mature Size: 15-30 feet tall, 10-20 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Prunus laurocerasus
Available at:
Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
10. Holly
Featuring dense, spiny foliage, Holly provides an excellent privacy screen around your pool, ensuring year-round coverage.
This evergreen shrub is known for its vibrant red berries in winter, adding seasonal interest and beauty to your poolside.
Holly’s solid and resilient nature makes it a low-maintenance choice for creating a secure and attractive barrier.
- USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
- Average Mature Size: 15-30 feet tall, 10-20 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Ilex spp.
Available at:
Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
11. Nishiki Willow Bush
Featuring striking pink, white, and green variegated foliage, Nishiki Willow Bush adds a colorful touch to poolside privacy.
This deciduous shrub grows quickly, creating a dense screen perfect for seasonal coverage.
Its vibrant leaves and graceful branches enhance the visual appeal of your pool area.
- USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
- Average Mature Size: 4-6 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Deciduous
- Botanical Name: Salix integra ‘Hakuru Nishiki’
Available at:
12. Forsythia
Bright yellow blooms make Forsythia a standout choice for seasonal poolside privacy, offering a vibrant display in early spring. T
his fast-growing deciduous shrub forms a dense screen, perfect for enhancing your pool area’s seclusion.
Its hardiness and low maintenance needs ensure a lively and attractive hedge each year.
- USDA Growing Zone: 5-8
- Average Mature Size: 8-10 feet tall, 8-10 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Type: Deciduous
- Botanical Name: Forsythia spp.
Available at:
Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
13. Blue Point Juniper
Blue Point Juniper is perfect for poolside privacy with its attractive, silvery-blue foliage that remains vibrant throughout the year.
This hardy evergreen shrub is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it an excellent choice for creating a lush, continuous screen.
Its compact and dense growth habit ensures effective and attractive privacy.
- USDA Growing Zone: 4-9
- Average Mature Size: 4-12 feet tall, 2-8 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’
Available at:
Nature Hills & Fast-Growing-Trees
14. Feijoa
Feijoa adds a unique touch to poolside privacy with its silvery-green foliage and fragrant, edible flowers.
This hardy evergreen shrub is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, making it perfect for creating a lush, secluded area around your pool.
Its dense growth and attractive appearance ensure year-round beauty and privacy.
- USDA Growing Zone: 8-11
- Average Mature Size: 10-15 feet tall, 10-15 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Acca sellowiana
15. Japanese Pittosporum
Japanese Pittosporum is ideal for poolside privacy with its dense, glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers.
This versatile evergreen shrub is easy to shape and maintain, providing a neat and attractive screen.
Its resilience and adaptability make it a reliable choice for enhancing the beauty and privacy of your pool area.
- USDA Growing Zone: 8-11
- Average Mature Size: 6-10 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Pittosporum tobira
16. Hedging Bay Tree
With its aromatic, dark green leaves, Laurus nobilis ‘Miles Choice’ creates a sophisticated and functional privacy screen around your pool.
This evergreen tree is not only beautiful but also practical, offering year-round coverage and easy maintenance.
Its upright growth habit makes it an ideal choice for a neat and tidy hedge, enhancing the elegance of your pool area.
- USDA Growing Zone: 8-10
- Average Mature Size: 10-20 feet tall, 8-15 feet wide
- Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
- Type: Evergreen
- Botanical Name: Laurus nobilis ‘Miles Choice’
Things To Consider Before Planting
When choosing privacy trees for around a pool, several factors are essential to ensure you make the best selection.
Here are some key points to consider:
- Height and Width: Consider the mature size of the tree to ensure it fits the space without overwhelming the pool area. Trees that grow too tall or wide might obstruct views or become difficult to maintain.
- Growth Rate: Determine how quickly you need privacy. Fast-growing trees provide quicker screening but might require more maintenance, while slower-growing trees offer a long-term solution with less upkeep.
- Evergreen vs. Deciduous: Decide whether you want year-round privacy. Evergreen trees maintain their foliage throughout the year, providing continuous coverage, while deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall, which might be suitable if you prefer seasonal privacy.
- Maintenance Requirements: Evaluate the care needed for the trees you choose. Some trees require regular pruning, watering, or pest control, which could add to your pool maintenance routine.
- Root System: Consider the tree’s root system to avoid potential damage to pool structures, decking, or plumbing. Trees with aggressive roots might not be suitable near pools.
- Climate Compatibility: Ensure the trees are suited to your local climate and USDA growing zone. Selecting trees that thrive in your area will reduce stress and maintenance.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Choose trees that complement your pool and landscaping design. Consider the foliage color, texture, and overall appearance to enhance your outdoor space’s visual appeal.
- Allergy Considerations: Be mindful of potential allergens. Some trees produce pollen or other allergens that might affect pool users, so choose hypoallergenic options if necessary.
- Water Requirements: Factor in the water needs of the trees. Some trees require more water than others, which might not be ideal if you live in a region with water restrictions or prefer low-maintenance plants.
- Local Regulations: Check any local regulations or homeowner association rules regarding tree planting and height restrictions to ensure compliance.
Want More?
I hope you’ve found the perfect privacy trees for around your pool!
If you’re looking for more choices, explore our articles on tall and slender privacy trees, evergreen trees for year-round privacy, and quick-growing options perfect for fence lines.
