Privacy Trees for Small Yards: What Actually Works in Davidson County

Not everyone has a half-acre lot and a wide open fence line to work with. In a lot of neighborhoods across Lexington, Thomasville, and High Point, yards are narrow, neighbors are close, and HOA rules are tight. And yet, the desire for privacy is just as real — maybe more so.

The good news is that small yard privacy doesn’t require a massive row of towering trees. The right species, spaced strategically, can give you a full privacy screen in a surprisingly tight footprint. Here’s what actually works in Davidson County.

What "Small Yard" Means for Privacy Tree Planning

Before we get into species, it helps to define the challenge. In a small yard, the typical constraints are:

  • Narrow planting strip — 3 to 6 feet between the fence and the lawn
  • Short property line — you may only have 20 to 40 linear feet to work with
  • Proximity to structures — trees can’t be too wide or they’ll crowd the fence, house, or driveway
  • HOA height or size restrictions

With these constraints in mind, you’re looking for trees that grow tall but not wide, establish quickly, and don’t have aggressive root systems that will damage hardscaping or foundations.

Best Privacy Trees for Small Yards in Davidson County

1. Emerald Green Arborvitae

This is our most recommended option for tight spaces. Emerald Green Arborvitae grows in a naturally narrow, columnar shape — typically reaching 10–15 feet tall but only 3–4 feet wide at maturity. That makes it ideal for planting strips that are 4 feet or less.

  • Growth rate: Moderate (6–9 inches per year)
  • Mature size: 10–15 ft tall × 3–4 ft wide
  • Spacing for privacy: 2–3 feet apart for a dense screen
  • Root system: Shallow and non-invasive — safe near driveways and fences
  • Maintenance: Very low — rarely needs trimming to stay narrow

Best for: Narrow side yards, close-to-fence plantings, and HOA-restricted yards where tree height is limited.

2. Sky Pencil Holly

Sky Pencil Holly is one of the most space-efficient privacy plants available. It grows in an extremely narrow, upright column — almost like a living fence post — reaching 8–10 feet tall but only 18–24 inches wide.

  • Growth rate: Slow to moderate (4–6 inches per year)
  • Mature size: 8–10 ft tall × 18–24 inches wide
  • Spacing for privacy: 18–24 inches apart
  • Root system: Very shallow and compact
  • Maintenance: Virtually none — naturally stays narrow

Best for: Extremely tight planting strips (less than 3 feet), container planting on patios or decks, and spots where you need privacy without any canopy spread at all.

Note: Sky Pencil Holly grows more slowly than Arborvitae, so if you need fast coverage, it’s better used as an accent or to fill gaps in an existing screen.

3. Spartan Juniper

Spartan Juniper hits a sweet spot between growth rate, density, and narrow profile. It grows faster than Emerald Green Arborvitae and fills in with dense, dark green foliage that creates a solid visual barrier within 2–3 years.

  • Growth rate: Fast (12–18 inches per year)
  • Mature size: 15–20 ft tall × 4–5 ft wide
  • Spacing for privacy: 4–5 feet apart
  • Root system: Moderate depth, not aggressive
  • Maintenance: Light trimming to shape if desired

Best for: Homeowners who want faster coverage in a small yard and can accommodate a slightly wider spread (5 feet). Great for side yards that get full sun.

4. Thuja Green Giant (Planted at Close Spacing)

Green Giants are typically used on larger lots, but in small yards they can still work if planted with intention and managed with regular trimming. They grow fast, fill in dense, and create an impressive screen — but they need to be kept in check in tight spaces.

  • Growth rate: Very fast (3–5 feet per year when young)
  • Managed size in small yards: Keep trimmed to 8–12 ft tall and 4–5 ft wide
  • Spacing for privacy: 5–6 feet apart
  • Maintenance: Annual or semi-annual trimming required to keep size manageable

Best for: Homeowners who want the fastest possible privacy screen and are committed to regular trimming. Not ideal for planting strips under 5 feet.

What About Containers?

If you have a patio, deck, or zero planting strip — don’t count out container-grown privacy trees. Sky Pencil Holly and Emerald Green Arborvitae both grow well in large containers (25–30 gallon pots minimum), and can be positioned exactly where you need coverage.

Container trees do require more frequent watering and feeding than in-ground trees. In Davidson County’s hot summers, plan on watering container trees every 1–2 days during July and August.

Spacing Tips for Maximum Privacy in Minimum Space

  • Plant tighter than the tag says for faster canopy closure. For a dense screen, plant Emerald Green Arborvitae 2 feet apart instead of the standard 3–4 feet.
  • Stagger two rows if you have the depth. Two rows of smaller trees at an offset create better coverage than one row of large trees.
  • Use evergreens only for year-round privacy. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in fall, leaving you exposed from October through April.
  • Add height at the entry points first. Focus your tallest trees at the corners and entrance angles of your yard — where the view lines are most exposed.

Don't Let Small Space Stop You

A tight yard doesn’t mean you have to settle for no privacy. With the right species and smart placement, even a 4-foot-wide planting strip can hold a beautiful, dense privacy screen within 2–3 growing seasons.

At Piedmont Privacy Trees, we help homeowners all over Lexington, Clemmons, High Point, and Davidson County design and install privacy screens that work with their actual space — not a theoretical one.

👉 Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll walk your yard, look at your constraints, and recommend exactly what will work — no overselling, no guessing.