Best Texas Trees

Looking to add privacy, cooling shade, and a touch of native beauty to your Texas landscape—fast? These top selections are perfect for creating lush, natural screens in record time. Whether you’re protecting your space from neighbors, reducing wind, or just creating a quiet retreat, here are the best fast‑growing trees for privacy in Texas—all adapted to the Lone Star State.

🔍 Why Choose Fast‑Growing Privacy Trees in Texas?

Fast-growing privacy trees can:

Provide screening within 2–4 years Soften fences and property lines Reduce noise, wind, and visual disruption Create shady retreats that lower energy costs

For privacy, evergreen or dense foliage trees are most effective—they offer year‑round cover and establish quickly in local soils.

🌿 Top Fast‑Growing Trees for Privacy

These species combine rapid growth, strong canopy coverage, and adaptability to Texas climates:

1. Leyland Cypress (× Cupressocyparis leylandii)

A classic veteran of privacy screening—it grows 3–4 ft/year and reaches 60–70 ft with dense, evergreen foliage. Ideal for tall, narrow property barriers.

✅ Categories: Privacy Trees, Evergreen Trees, Fast‑Growing Trees

2. Eastern Red Cedar / Ashe Juniper (Juniperus virginiana / J. ashei)

Native to Central Texas, this tree grows steadily and forms a dense, evergreen privacy screen—especially well-suited to limestone soil and heat.

✅ Categories: Native Texas Trees, Drought‑Tolerant Trees, Privacy Trees

3. Nellie R. Stevens Holly (Ilex ‘Nellie R. Stevens’)

A hybrid evergreen holly that reliably grows 2–3 ft/year with thick foliage and red berries in winter. Excellent narrow-screen hedge or small privacy row.

✅ Categories: Privacy Trees, Evergreen Trees, Fast‑Growing Trees

4. American Elm (Ulmus americana)

A fast-growing deciduous tree offering a wide canopy in just a few years. While not evergreen, paired plantings create quick summer screening and stunning fall color. Not major litter producers in good conditions.

✅ Categories: Shade Trees, Fast‑Growing Trees, Trees That Support Wildlife

5. Mexican Sycamore (Platanus mexicana)

Regarded as one of the fastest-growing shade trees in Texas—ideal for tall screening and dramatic foliage. It can reach 50+ ft with a broad canopy in less than a decade.

✅ Categories: Fast‑Growing Trees, Privacy Trees, Native Texas Trees

6. Chinese Pistache ‘Red Push’ (Pistacia × atlantica ‘Red Push’)

Though not native, this tree is drought-tolerant, fast-growing, and offers strong fall color, plus dense shade. It works well in rows for screening or as a statement tree.

✅ Categories: Privacy Trees, Ornamental Trees, Fast‑Growing Trees

🔗 Featured Natives You’ve Already Seen

Don’t forget these beautifully underrated privacy and fast growth trees you’ve already featured:

Texas Pistache — ornamental and quick to shade. Mexican Buckeye — great understory screening with wildlife value.

These trees illustrate smart, native-focused privacy planting.

🧭 Choosing the Right Tree for Your Region

Tailor your choice to region, soil, and your timeline:

North & Central Texas: Eastern Red Cedar, Live Oak hedges, Mexican Sycamore Dry West & Hill Country: Texas Pistache, Eastern Red Cedar Urban yards: Nellie R. Stevens, Mexican Sycamore Wet soil or creek edges: Bald Cypress or native Evergreens

→ Explore categories like Central Texas Trees and Hill Country Trees.

🪴 Planting & Maintenance Tips for Fast-Growing Privacy Screens

Plan space carefully — some can reach over 60 ft or 20 ft wide. Install as a staggered double row for denser coverage. Water deeply during year one—especially for fast growers. Mulch strategically — avoid trunk contact, 2–4″ outwards. Prune young trees wisely — keep leaders centered, remove crossing branches. Watch for disease — especially Dutch elm in elms or pests in evergreens.

🎯 Why These Trees Work for Texas Privacy

Year-round cover: Evergreens like red cedar and holly never lose their leaves. Fast results: Many species reach screening height within 3–5 years. Ecological resilience: Native and adapted varieties thrive in local soils and climates. Beauty: From fall color to wildlife-attracting blooms, they do more than block views.

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Top Fast-Growing Trees for Privacy in Texas 🌳

Eastern Red Cedar

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Ideal Region(s): Central, North, East Texas

• Max Height: 40–50 ft

• Categories: Privacy, Windbreak, Evergreen, Native

Wax Myrtle

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Ideal Region(s): East, Central Texas

• Max Height: 10–15 ft

• Categories: Privacy, Wildlife, Fast-Growing

Arizona Cypress

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Ideal Region(s): West, Central, North Texas

• Max Height: 40–50 ft

• Categories: Privacy, Windbreak, Drought-Tolerant

Leyland Cypress

• Growth Rate: Very Fast

• Ideal Region(s): North, Central Texas

• Max Height: 50–70 ft

• Categories: Privacy, Evergreen, Fast-Growing

Texas Privet

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Ideal Region(s): Central, South Texas

• Max Height: 10–12 ft

• Categories: Privacy, Small Yards, Low Maintenance

Cherry Laurel

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Ideal Region(s): East, Central Texas

• Max Height: 20–30 ft

• Categories: Privacy, Flowering, Evergreen

Nellie R. Stevens Holly

• Growth Rate: Fast

• Ideal Region(s): Most of Texas

• Max Height: 15–25 ft

• Categories: Privacy, Ornamental, Evergreen

Green Giant Arborvitae

• Growth Rate: Very Fast

• Ideal Region(s): Central, East Texas

• Max Height: 40–60 ft

• Categories: Privacy, Evergreen, Low Maintenance

Eagleston Holly

• Growth Rate: Moderate–Fast

• Ideal Region(s): Central, South Texas

• Max Height: 20–30 ft

• Categories: Privacy, Ornamental, Evergreen

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📞 Want Planting Help or Custom Planning?

Looking for trees that suit your soil, shade, budget, or spacing needs?

→ Contact us or explore our full tree taxonomy to build your ideal landscape.

🌿 Further Reading

Discover the Mexican Buckeye Learn about the Texas Pistache Browse our full lineup of Native Texas Trees Find Drought‑Tolerant Trees ideal for screening