Best 6 Trees For Privacy To Grow In Washington State

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Washington State’s climate varies dramatically from west to east, divided by the Cascade Mountains. Western Washington has mild, wet winters and cool summers — similar to maritime Europe — while eastern Washington experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters. Choosing the right privacy tree means finding species that can thrive in your specific region.

Whether you’re looking for fast-growing screens to block a neighbor’s view or elegant evergreens for a Pacific Northwest landscape, these six privacy trees are outstanding performers in Washington conditions.

6 Best Privacy Trees for Washington State

Mohave Pyracantha Firethorn Shrub

The Mohave, also known as the Firethorn, is an evergreen evergreen that has hardy evergreen growth characteristics, shade tolerance, and adaptability to challenging conditions…all this while sporting an exotic color, second to none among evergreens.

The Mohave has a classic vibrancy of green combined with a bold twist of bright red berries. It appears to have a lot of them as well.

In the beginning, the berries appear as a deep burnt orange, but soon turn into flame-like red berries.

You can expect lots of white flowers to cover your shrub in the springtime when the weather warms up.

Additionally, the Mohave’s hardiness makes it a versatile shrub that can fit a wide variety of planting arrangements.

It develops a high degree of tolerance to shade and wind exposure, and it can be used to create a screen or a hedge throughout the landscape as a hardy evergreen.

This shrub, besides its ability to adapt to hard conditions, is highly productive, developing hundreds of berries from early November to late December. The berries are perfect for making homemade jellies and jams in time for the holiday season.

Berckman’s Gold Arborvitae

Increasingly popular, and rightfully so, the Berckman’s Gold Arborvitae provides everything you desire in an evergreen – with a little extra flair thrown in.

Because of its manageable size and engaging color and texture, this fence adds interest to any landscape.

It’s no wonder that woody gardeners and plant-lover alike want to prepare a space for this Arborvitae in their gardens. 

Berckman’s Gold Arborvitae is an evergreen tree with everything you hope for in an evergreen, with a little flare thrown in.

This fence adds visual interest to any landscape due to its manageable size, engaging color, and tactile quality.

This cultivar of Holly is in fact the most popular Holly cultivar in America, and it should come as no surprise why. How about you?

Its disease and pest resistance provides it with a unique advantage when it comes to creating an instant hedge or privacy screen.

Furthermore, it is very versatile and easy to grow. The American Holly Tree can be managed as a foundation hedge as well as a secure, tall privacy fence.

The plants can thrive in a variety of climates and are resistant to a wide range of diseases and insects, making them a low maintenance plant.

Because the American Holly grows thick branches from top to bottom, the tree is an excellent choice for screening and privacy.

The bright red berries will stand out against the dark green foliage during winter and the creamy white flowers will bloom in the spring, which will provide you with a variety of color all year round.

Blue Atlas Cedar Tree

There is no doubt that the Blue Atlas Cedar Tree sets itself apart due to its pyramidal form of shimmering silvery-blue foliage that makes it a true focal point in every landscape.

Featuring both a sleek silhouette and dramatic color, this unique selection is a striking addition to any area. In addition to this, it adds instant curb appeal to any environment.

In our opinion, it is one of the most popular evergreen conifers available.

Blue-green foliage covers its upward-growing branches in an elegant way, providing your yard with an outstanding display of color.

Plus, since it is tolerant of many types of soil and drought conditions once established, once it is established it will thrive on the rainfall alone – taking all the guesswork out of growing for you.

Lombardy Poplar Tree

During the summer and winter seasons, you can enjoy your yard while reducing your heating bills and blocking the wind at the same time.

The Lombardy Poplar is one of the easiest trees to grow – simply plant one every 5 to 8 feet, and you’ll have a dense barrier that can reach astounding heights extremely quickly.

There is nothing faster than a strong gust of wind to stop it. The growth rate of the Carolinian Poplar is usually 6 to 8 feet per year, although some trees are able to grow at a rate of 9 to 12 feet per year.

It’s not uncommon to see Lombardys being planted around farm fields in order to keep the topsoil from blowing away – and they will work just as well for your home.

Their Mediterranean look, on the other hand, adds value to your property as well. Having an elegant, columnar form, these plush Poplars grow with an elegant twist.

Use them to line your driveway, your property’s edges or to line your road or parking lot. If you line the Northern borders of your hair, you will achieve a full, voluminous look that is enviable.

Blue Cloak White Fir Tree

Distinguished by its powder-blue needles, the Blue Cloak White Fir stands out from darker evergreens that have green needles.

As a dwarf conifer, this conifer retains its almost perfect pyramidal shape even when it is not pruned at all or with minimal pruning.

This plant is also sought after due to its slightly weeping branches, its dense nature, and the medium-sized needles that set it apart from the similar landscape plants.

You will love the Blue Cloak White Fir because of its small size and eye-catching color when you plant it in rock gardens or as a garden accent because it will contrast with the rock garden.

Additionally – it maintains its color and vibrancy throughout the year, making it a good choice for gardens that require variety during the cold winter months.

With a slow-to-medium growth rate of about eight inches per year, the Blue Cloak White Fir is smaller than most evergreens as a fully grown specimen.

This plant can grow up to 80 years old or even more at its full size when it reaches its full size. This makes it a reliable privacy shield plant.

The unusual color of this evergreen is eye-catching, it has a graceful habit, and it is easy to care for – don’t miss out on adding a beautiful specimen to your landscape.

Thuja Green Giant

The Thuja Green Giant is arguably the most popular privacy tree in the Pacific Northwest — and for good reason. This fast-growing evergreen (3–5 feet per year when young) creates a dense, dark green wall of privacy that requires virtually no maintenance once established. Unlike Arborvitae, Thuja Green Giant is naturally resistant to deer browse, which is a significant advantage in Washington’s suburban and rural areas.

Thuja Green Giant handles the heavy rainfall of Western Washington beautifully and has good drought tolerance once established — making it workable in Eastern Washington as well with irrigation in the first couple of years. Plant them 5–6 feet apart for a solid screen, or 8–10 feet apart for a more open hedge effect.

At maturity, Thuja Green Giant reaches 30–40 feet tall and 12–15 feet wide, making it ideal for blocking views, wind, and road noise. Its natural pyramidal shape means it rarely needs pruning to look good.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest-growing privacy tree in Washington State?

The Lombardy Poplar is the fastest-growing option, capable of adding 6–10 feet per year. However, it’s deciduous (loses leaves in winter, so no winter screening) and is prone to disease and a relatively short lifespan (20–30 years). For a fast-growing evergreen, Thuja Green Giant (3–5 ft/year) is a much better long-term investment.

What privacy trees grow well in both Western and Eastern Washington?

Thuja Green Giant adapts well to both regions. Blue Atlas Cedar is excellent in Western Washington’s mild climate. For Eastern Washington’s drier conditions, look for drought-tolerant options like Mohave Pyracantha or Juniper varieties.

How far apart should I plant privacy trees in Washington?

Spacing depends on the species and your desired effect. For a dense, solid screen, plant Thuja Green Giant or Arborvitae 5–6 feet apart. Lombardy Poplars can be planted every 5–8 feet. For a more naturalistic look, space trees 8–12 feet apart and allow them to branch out.

For more Washington tree options, see our guides on best shade trees for Washington State, shade trees for Eastern Washington, and maple trees in Washington State.