Best Trees to Plant for Privacy, Pets and More!

Best Trees for Privacy, Pets and More!

Do you need more privacy from your neighbors or want to make improvements to your yard? Instead of putting in a fence, consider planting trees for your privacy, landscaping and shade needs. There is a large variety of trees that will give you privacy no matter the size of your yard. Planting trees can help shield your yard from noisy neighbors and also helps buffer street noise, creating an enhanced sense of seclusion.

Keep reading to learn more about the best trees in Northern Virginia for privacy, landscaping, pets, shade, and pool landscaping.

Best Trees for Privacy

There are multiple options for the best trees for privacy, including hedges and screens.

A hedge is a row of plants that marks off an area. There are native plants that will take well to shearing and pruning for size and shape, but you could also choose plants that grow the exact size you want them to be. If you select woody plants that need to grow to fill in, you can plant tall perennials as a temporary screen.

Shrubs and Trees You Can Shape for Privacy

Here are a few examples of shrubs and trees that can be shaped by shearing:

• Carpinus caroliniana (American Hornbeam)
• Cornus amomum (Silky Dogwood)
• Ilex vomitoria (Yaupon holly)
• Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire)
• Morella cerifera (Southern Bayberry)
• Pinus strobus (White Pine)/li>
• Rhus aromatica (Fragrant Sumac)
• Rosa carolina and virginiana (Carolina Rose)

Screening Trees for Privacy

A screen provides a visual barrier. Evergreen trees are common choices, but deciduous plants can be just as effective and give you more options.

Here are some of our picks for screening trees:

• American Arborvitae
• Cryptomeria
• Eastern Red Cedar
• Foster's Holly
• Giant (Western) Arborvitae
• Leyland Cypress
• Nellie R. Stevens
• Skip Laurel
• Southern Magnolia

Best Backyard Aesthetic and Landscaping Trees

If you're interested in creating a backyard aesthetic through landscaping, there are many options to choose from. Some of the best trees for landscaping are Northern Virginia natives since they are easier to maintain and can save you time and money due to being naturally adapted to local soils and climate.

Here are our recommendations for native trees for landscaping:

• Canada Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
• Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
• River Birch (Betula nigra)
• American Hornbeam, Ironwood (Carpinus caroliniana)
• Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
• American Holly (Ilex opaca)
• Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)
• Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)
• Blackgum, Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)
• Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata)
• White Oak (Quercus alba)
• Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum)

If you wonder what these plants will look like in your garden, you can visit a demonstration garden to get inspiration before choosing which trees you would like to plant.

Pet-Friendly Trees

If you have pets, it is essential to ensure that the trees you plant are not dangerous to their health. Pet-friendly trees are a must to enable your pets to roam about your yard while also staying happy and healthy.

Here are a few options that are safe for pets:

• Amur Maple (Acer ginnala)
• Big Shellback Hickory (Carya laciniosa)
• Coral Bells (Heuchera sanguine)
• Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica)
• Dill
• Dogwood Trees (Cornus)
• English Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
• Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos)
• Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)
• Polka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
• Purple Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)
• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Best Trees To Plant For Shade

Adding trees to your yard is a great way to create shade. Here are a few big classic shade trees that are great for Northern Virginia.

• Sugar Maples and Red Maples: These trees can withstand various weather conditions and as a bonus, they only drop their leaves once a year in the fall.
• Swamp White Oak: This type of tree is native to Virginia and holds its leaves throughout the winter until it sheds them in the spring. When it matures, it develops into a grand stately oak shape. Its horizontal branching pattern causes the tree to get very broad, and the branching is dense, providing a deep shade. The Swamp Oak can usually be planted any time during the year.
• Chinese Elm: A great trait that the Chinese Elm has is its built-in resistance to disease and pest infestation.
• American Elm: The Jefferson variety of the American Elm will stand 70 feet tall with a 45-50 foot spread. You can see these at the National Mall and on many college campuses.
• Trident Maple: The Trident Maple is ideal for small yards. It tops out at 30 feet with a spread of 20-25 feet. This is great for homes that are close together. This tree produces dense interior branching, creating a dense shade. If you decide to use this tree, it needs to be set 20 feet from a driveway or sidewalk to prevent the roots from breaking up the pavement.
• Sycamore: The Sycamore tree needs a lot of space. The leaves grow up to six inches long and can provide plenty of dense shade.
• Weeping Willow: This classic shade tree is great near standing water and can even resolve minor drainage issues in a landscape. They need lots of room to grow because they can grow up to at least ten feet per year.

Best Trees For Pool Landscaping

As pools become a standard addition to any home, pool landscaping has become increasingly popular. There are a few rules of thumb to follow when choosing trees for around your pool. Things you should consider include:

• Most backyard pools are located in full sun, so you should choose plants that tolerate hotter than average temperatures.
• Use hardscaping elements to protect plants in busy areas and avoid plants with thorns.
• Avoid trees that have blooms or fruit that will fall into the pool and evergreens that frequently shed needles.
• Avoid plants and trees that attract insects.
• Avoid plants whose roots may cause issues later on.

When choosing trees for around your pool, evergreens like arborvitae, cypress, and magnolia trees will provide you with both privacy and beauty.

Contact Richard’s Tree Service Today!

No matter what tree you plant, use Richard’s Tree Service as your dedicated tree company.

At Richard’s Tree Service, we provide commercial and residential services to help the trees on your property stay healthy, happy and beautiful. Unlike other landscaping companies that only focus on the visuals, we employ certified arborists who can get to the root of all your tree needs. Your trees’ health is something you should take seriously, and our arborists are ready to help you achieve the healthiest trees possible.

Look at our list of areas served and contact us online today to take the next step toward having healthier trees on your property. We look forward to serving you!