Deer Resistant Evergreens for Privacy Screens

Spring is nearly upon us! Like many of you I lost too many trees to count including nearly all of my  evergreens that shielded several of my neighbors from view. I wanted to go over the different choices you have when it comes to deer resistant privacy screens and the appeal of each tree or bush. I also will touch on some other choices for fenced in areas that make great screens as well. Hopefully this helps in making your decision a little easier.

Deer Resistant Trees and Shrubs

Norway Spruce

Size: 25-30' Wide and 40-60' Tall

Growth Habit: Pyramidal Shape

Growth Rate: 12-24" per year once established

Light Requirements: Full Sun is best but can take some shade

Soil Requirements: Various Soils

Appeal: Completely deer resistant and dense, the Norway Spruce is an ideal privacy screen if you have the space. Beautiful dark green needles and strong branches make it a very attractive tree.

Full Grown Norway Spruce

Green Giant Arborvitae

Size: 10-20' Wide and 50-60' Tall

Growth Habit: Pyramidal Shape

Growth Rate: Fast - Can grow 3' in a year once established

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Soil Requirements: Various Soils - Moist Tolerant

Appeal: Creates a very dense fast growing screen. Despite its rapid growth, it can withstand heavy snow loads. It's extremely fast growth rate make it an excellent choice for rapid screening.
Privacy Screen Planting: 6' on center or closer for an instant screen.

Green Giant Arborvitae

Virescens Arborvitae

Size: 10-20' Wide and 40-50' Tall

Growth Habit: Pyramidal Shape

Growth Rate: Fast - 2' A year once established

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Soil Requirements: Various Soils - Moist tolerant

Appeal: Lighter green than the Green Giant and with a softer look, they too create a fast privacy screen. Holds its gren color year round and has a feathery look to it. 
Privacy Screen Planting: 6' on center or closer for an instant screen.

Virescens Arborvitae

Leyland Cypress

Size: 15-25' Wide and 60-70' Tall

Growth Habit: Columnar

Growth Rate: Fast - 1-2' per year once established.

Light Requirements: Full Sun

Soil Requirements: Various Soils
Appeal: Another fast growing privacy screen that should be planted in full sun. Leyland Cypress has fine soft needles that turn a blue green in maturity.

Leyland Cypress

Skip Laurel

Size: 7' Wide and 10' Tall

Growth Habit: Bush

Growth Rate: Medium to Fast - 12-24" per year once established

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Shade

Soil Requirements: Various Soils
Appeal: Creates an excellent shorter privacy hedge that can be pruned into any shape. Elongated glossy green leaves are also a contrast to the other needle evergreens. Excellent for shade as well. Deer may nibble it in a harsh winter.

Skip Laurel

Rotundifolia Boxwood

Size: Up to 10' Tall and Wide

Growth Habit: Rounded Bush

Growth Rate: Slow - 3-6" per year once established. Will grow faster in full sun

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Shade

Soil Requirements: Various Soils
Appeal: Another excellent choice for a shorter privacy screen, Rotundifolia Boxwood can also be shaped into almost anything. Great for sun or shade, very deer resistant. Looser growth habit than most boxwood.

Rotundifolia Boxwood

Bamboo - Yellow Groove - Running Variety

Size: Up to 25' Tall and Spread Indefinite

Growth Habit: Spreads by sending underground runners in any direction.

Growth Rate: Extremely Fast once established

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Soil Requirements: Various Soils

Appeal: An extremely fast privacy screen with its only downside being that it runs in any direction it wants. Can be withheld with the use of liners but they need to be put in at least 30" deep around the entire area.

Bamboo - Clumping - Green Screen

Size: 12-15' Tall

Growth Habit: Vase Shaped

Growth Rate: Fast - Should reach 10' after 5 years from a 2 gallon pot

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Soil Requirements: Various Soils

Appeal: A better choice if you don't want to be bothered pruning unwanted runners. Provides a much neater screen as its clumping nature stays very tight and kept.

Non Deer Resistant Privacy Screen Options

Hemlock

Size: 25-35' Wide and 40-70' Tall

Growth Habit: Pyramidal Shape

Growth Rate: Slow to Medium - 6-12" per year once established

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Shade - Prefers Sun

Soil Requirements: Various Soils - Avoid very heavy clay
Appeal: Very soft green foliage and has the ability to be shaped into anything you want. Not as fast growing but tolerates shade better than most evergreens. Slightly deer resistant.

Hemlock

Japanese Holly - Steeds Holly or Schwoebel Upright Holly

Size: Up to 6-10' Tall and 5-6' Wide

Growth Habit: Upright Bush

Growth Rate: Moderate- 6-12" per year once established.  
Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Soil Requirements: Various Soils
Appeal: Another slightly deer resistant bush that is left alone in all seasons except winter, Japanese Holly are another option for a shorter hedge. Tight glossy green foliage and upright conical form make it a more formal option. Definitely accepts pruning.

Steeds Holly

Black American Arborvitae

Size: 20-30' Tall and 4-5' Wide

Growth Habit: Columnar

Growth Rate: Moderate - 6-12" per year once established.

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Soil Requirements: Various Soils
Appeal: An excellent choice for a narrow very tall privacy screen if you are fenced in. Very hardy, very dense dark green foliage make this an excellent choice. Inexpensive as well.

Black American Arborvitae