The 8 Best Privacy Trees for Memphis: Live Screens for Mid-South Yards

Creating privacy in Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Bartlett, and North Mississippi requires more than planting “fast-growing evergreens.” We garden in USDA Zone 7b/8a, with high summer humidity, temperature swings, and dense clay soil (“Memphis gumbo”). The best privacy trees must tolerate wet spring soils, August drought stress, and fungal pressure.

Below are proven performers for Mid-South landscapes.

Fast Facts: Memphis Privacy Trees

Plant	Ht	W	Growth	Sun	Zone	Spacing (OC)
Taylor Juniper	15–20’	3–4’	Med	Full	4–9	3–4’
Emerald Green Arborvitae	12–14’	3–4’	Slow–Med	Full	3–8	2–3’
Podocarpus	10–15’	3–4’	Med	Full–Part	7–10	3’
Little Gem Magnolia	20–25’	10–15’	Med	Full–Part	7–9	6–8’
Cryptomeria ‘Radicans’	30–40’	10–15’	Fast	Full	5–9	10’
Nellie R. Stevens Holly	15–25’	8–12’	Fast	Full–Part	6–9	6–8’
Green Giant Arborvitae	40–60’	12–18’	Fast (3–5’/yr)	Full	5–8	6’
Oakland Holly	15–20’	8–10’	Med	Full–Part	6–9	6–8’

1. Taylor Juniper

Narrow, columnar, and clay-tolerant. Ideal for tight side yards. Drought-hardy once established. Excellent vertical screening without excessive spread.

2. Emerald Green Arborvitae

Dense, refined, and compact. Best for smaller suburban lots. Prefers well-drained soil; avoid chronically wet clay pockets.

3. Podocarpus

Fine-textured evergreen suited for protected sites in Zone 7b. Takes pruning exceptionally well for formal hedges.

4. Little Gem Magnolia

Broadleaf evergreen with fragrant blooms. Thick foliage provides visual and sound buffering. Needs space to mature properly.

5. Cryptomeria ‘Radicans’

Fast-growing alternative to Leyland Cypress (which we avoid due to canker issues). Handles humidity well and forms a tall, soft-textured screen.

6. Nellie R. Stevens Holly

Reliable workhorse for Shelby and DeSoto County. Vigorous growth, glossy foliage, and heavy winter berry set.

7. Green Giant Arborvitae

Best for rapid privacy. Plant 6’ on-center for a dense, interlocking hedge. Tolerates clay better than most arborvitae.

8. Oakland Holly

Symmetrical, oak-shaped foliage, strong structure, and adaptable to partial shade. Excellent residential screen.

Pro Tips for a Dense Living Wall

1. Understand “On-Center” Spacing

Measure trunk-to-trunk. For Green Giants, 6’ on-center creates a solid wall within 5–7 years. Selecting a more mature tree at time of planting, hedges can be created instantly.

2. Structural Pruning Matters

Use early heading cuts to stimulate lateral branching. This prevents the common “leggy bottom” problem and creates density from ground level upward.

3. Planting in Memphis Clay

Dig 2–3× wider than root ball.
Do not over-amend.
Set root flare 1–2” above grade.
Irrigate deeply the first growing season.

Trees We Avoid in Memphis

Leyland Cypress (disease prone)
Italian Cypress (cold damage risk)
Red Tip Photinia (fungal leaf spot)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest-growing privacy tree in Memphis?
Green Giant Arborvitae (3–5 feet per year once established).

How far apart should Green Giants be planted?
6 feet on-center for a dense hedge.

Which privacy tree handles clay soil best?
Green Giant Arborvitae, Taylor Juniper, and Nellie R. Stevens Holly.

How long does it take to create privacy?
Most fast-growing screens provide meaningful coverage in 3–5 years. For instant privacy select more mature trees at planting.

What is the best privacy tree for small lots in Germantown or Collierville?
Emerald Green Arborvitae or Taylor Juniper.

Selecting the right species, size, spacing correctly, and training early are what separate a thin row of trees from a true living wall. In the Mid-South climate, those details make the difference between privacy in five years—or frustration in ten.