Introduction
Privacy is one of the most common reasons Virginia homeowners plant trees, and fast growth and low cost are the most common requirements. The good news: you do not have to choose between speed, affordability, and quality. Several excellent privacy tree options grow quickly in Virginia’s Zone 8a climate and are available at reasonable prices from local nurseries and big-box garden centers.
The bad news: the cheapest option is not always the right long-term choice. Some fast-growing privacy trees become very large, require significant ongoing maintenance, or have limited lifespans that mean replanting within 20 to 30 years. Making the right choice upfront saves significantly more money than buying the cheapest tree available.
This guide covers the best fast-growing privacy trees for Virginia with realistic growth rates, pricing, and long-term considerations for Hampton Roads conditions. For trees that also have non-invasive root systems safe near driveways and fencing, see our full guide on trees with non-invasive roots for Virginia yards.
Best Fast-Growing Privacy Trees for Virginia
Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata) — Best Overall
Green Giant arborvitae is the most popular privacy screen tree in Virginia for good reason. It grows 3 to 5 feet per year, reaches 30 to 50 feet at maturity, maintains a dense pyramidal form without shearing, and is significantly more pest and disease-resistant than other arborvitae varieties. It tolerates the heat and humidity of Hampton Roads better than most evergreens. It is deer-resistant (unlike some arborvitae varieties), does not require annual pruning to maintain its form, and provides solid year-round screening within 4 to 5 years of planting. Purchase 3 to 4 gallon containers for $35 to $60 at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or local Virginia nurseries. Larger 6 to 7 foot balled-and-burlapped specimens run $150 to $250 but establish faster. For deer considerations, also see our blog on do deer eat arborvitae.
Leyland Cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii)
Leyland cypress is the fastest-growing privacy tree available in Virginia, capable of 4 to 6 feet of growth per year under ideal conditions. It reaches 60 to 70 feet at maturity and creates an extremely dense evergreen screen. It is widely available and inexpensive — 3-gallon containers run $20 to $40 at most garden centers. The limitations are significant: Leyland cypress has a relatively short lifespan of 25 to 30 years, is highly susceptible to several fungal diseases including seiridium canker (a major problem in Virginia), and can become overwhelmingly large for smaller lots. Plant 8 to 10 feet apart for screening. It is best suited for larger properties where size is not a constraint and where trees can be replaced in a generation. Virginia Cooperative Extension has documented the disease challenges with Leyland cypress extensively. [Source: ext.vt.edu/leyland-cypress-diseases]
Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Eastern red cedar is Virginia’s most underused native privacy tree. It grows 1 to 2 feet per year — slower than Leyland or Green Giant — but it is virtually bulletproof in Virginia conditions. It is native to the region, tolerates poor soil and drought, requires zero supplemental care once established, provides excellent wildlife habitat through its berries, and lives for 150 years or more. It is also deer-resistant and has no significant pest or disease problems in Virginia. At $15 to $30 for a 1-gallon container at native plant nurseries or garden centers, it is the most affordable option on this list by a significant margin. The tradeoff is patience — privacy screening takes 6 to 8 years rather than 3 to 4. For homeowners with a long-term view, it is the best value of any tree on this list. The Virginia Department of Forestry actively promotes Eastern red cedar as a native landscaping choice. [Source: dof.virginia.gov/trees/native-trees]
Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex x ‘Nellie R. Stevens’)
Nellie Stevens holly is a hybrid evergreen that grows 3 to 4 feet per year and reaches 15 to 25 feet at maturity, making it ideal for smaller lots where Leyland cypress or Green Giant would eventually be too large. It is one of the best performing broadleaf evergreens in Virginia’s humidity and heat, produces red berries that attract birds, and maintains a naturally pyramidal shape with minimal pruning. It is tolerant of clay soils common in Hampton Roads. Availability at 3-gallon containers runs $25 to $45 at most Virginia nurseries. Plant 5 to 6 feet apart for a solid privacy hedge at maturity.
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) — For Fast Large-Scale Screening
If you need fast screening at scale on a larger property and cost is the primary driver, loblolly pine is Virginia’s fastest-growing native tree at 4 to 6 feet per year. Bare-root seedlings are available from the Virginia Department of Forestry for as little as $1 to $3 per tree in bulk orders. [Source: dof.virginia.gov/seedlings] The limitation: loblolly pine provides screening only in the lower canopy for the first several years, and as it matures the lower branches die, raising the base of the canopy. It is not a long-term tight privacy screen but provides effective temporary screening while slower species establish. Best used on rural lots or larger suburban properties where ultimate height and canopy lifting are not concerns.
Planting Tips for Virginia Privacy Trees
Spacing matters more than most people realize. Green Giant arborvitae planted 6 feet apart will grow together into a solid hedge but may become overcrowded over time. Plant 8 to 10 feet apart for long-term health. Leyland cypress needs 10 to 12 feet of spacing. Closer planting creates faster initial screening but future problems.
Soil preparation pays dividends. Hampton Roads clay soil drains poorly and can waterlog roots. Amend planting holes with compost and ensure water drains away from roots. Raised planting, setting the root ball slightly above grade, helps in poorly draining areas.
Watering in year one is critical. Even drought-tolerant species need consistent watering through the first growing season. A tree watering bag for each new planting is one of the best investments you can make for establishment success. See our guide on tree watering bags. [Internal link: Blog #30]
Mulch the root zone. A 3 to 4 inch layer of mulch over the root zone of each new tree conserves moisture, moderates soil temperature, and reduces competition from turf grass. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
Where to Buy Privacy Trees in Virginia
- Virginia Department of Forestry seedling program (bulk native trees at very low cost): dof.virginia.gov/seedlings
- Virginia Native Plant Society nursery directory: vnps.org
- Local independent nurseries: typically carry larger specimens and more Virginia-adapted stock than big-box stores
- Lowe’s and Home Depot: widely available 3 to 5 gallon containers of Green Giant, Leyland, and Nellie Stevens at competitive prices
- com: online retailer specializing in larger starter sizes with Virginia delivery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest-growing privacy tree in Virginia?
Leyland cypress grows fastest at 4 to 6 feet per year under ideal conditions, followed closely by Green Giant arborvitae at 3 to 5 feet per year. Loblolly pine matches Leyland’s growth rate but provides a different type of screening. For most residential lots, Green Giant is the better long-term choice despite being slightly slower than Leyland.
How far apart should I plant privacy trees?
Green Giant arborvitae: 8 to 10 feet apart. Leyland cypress: 10 to 12 feet. Nellie Stevens holly: 5 to 6 feet. Eastern red cedar: 6 to 8 feet. Closer spacing creates faster initial privacy but leads to crowding and health problems over time as trees compete for resources.
How long until privacy trees actually provide screening in Virginia?
With Green Giant arborvitae planted at 6 feet tall, expect solid screening in 3 to 4 years. With Leyland cypress at the same size, 2 to 3 years. With Nellie Stevens holly, 4 to 5 years. Starting with larger specimens shortens this timeline significantly — an 8-foot tree provides noticeable screening almost immediately.
Do privacy trees need maintenance?
Green Giant and Eastern red cedar are the lowest maintenance options — they maintain their natural form without shearing and have minimal pest and disease problems in Virginia. Leyland cypress requires monitoring for seiridium canker and may need diseased branches removed. Nellie Stevens holly benefits from light shaping every few years but does not need regular shearing to stay dense.
Conclusion
For most Virginia homeowners wanting fast, affordable privacy screening, Green Giant arborvitae is the best all-around choice. It grows quickly, stays healthy in Hampton Roads conditions, achieves meaningful size without becoming unmanageable, and requires almost no maintenance. Leyland cypress is faster but comes with disease concerns and long-term size issues. Eastern red cedar is the best long-term investment for homeowners willing to wait a few extra years.
If you have existing trees that are providing privacy but need trimming, shaping, or health assessment, 757 Tree Solutions serves Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Suffolk, and Hampton Roads. And if a privacy tree has outgrown its space and become a problem, we handle those removals too. Call us for a free estimate.
