Here’s our run down of our favourite screening trees suited to creating a beautiful natural privacy screen. Some of the trees can also be grown as a smaller hedge, but we’ve focused on varieties that can get to the height required to reach above your garden fence and give you greater privacy. Each has its own benefits (most are evergreen trees) and of course we all have different tastes, so the perfect screening tree really depends on what you want, not just what we think!

10. Chinese Privet Tree

(Ligustrum Lucidum Excelsum Superbum)
A good choice of screening trees for smaller gardens. This small semi evergreen tree is a real beauty with glossy pale green/cream variegated leaves bearing white panicles of flowers in late summer. Compliments period homes very well. More about Chinese Privet Trees

9. Magnolia Grandiflora Tree

(Galissoniére)
You might think of magnolia as a dense shrub, but it can also be purchased as a standard tree with a clear 2M stem. Magnolia Grandiflora has magnificent saucer shaped cream flowers with dark purple stamens and a delicate scent, a beautiful site throughout Summer and into Autumn. The bonus for screening purpose is that this hardy, evergreen variety will retain its foliage throughout the year. King and Co can ship Magnolia trees nationwide through its online shop. More about Magnolia Grandiflora Trees

8. Holm Oak Tree

(Quercus Ilex)
Grown in United Kingdom from as early as the 1500s, also known as the Holly Oak which relates to its sharply serrated leaves. A slightly unusual but one of the most interesting screening trees, with yellow catkins in spring followed by acorns. Resistant to salt laden winds, pollution and drought, so ideal for cities and seaside gardens. Also known as Evergreen Oak, which grows exceptionally well on Essex clay soils. More about Holm Oak Trees

7. Japanese Privet Tree

(Ligustrum Japonicum)
Another good choice of screening tree if you have a smaller garden, Japanese Privet can be clipped to keep it small. Perfecting for creating privacy without encroaching on the rest of your garden. Even with just one tree,  it can be strategically placed to provide cover from unsightly views or privacy from people looking in.  More about Japanese Privet Trees

6. Golden Bamboo

(Phyllostachys Aurea)
This bamboo grows tall, up to 8m high with green stems and golden green/yellow leaves. A beautiful site that creates a wonderful soothing sound as it gently sways in the wind. Golden bamboo is evergreen, so will hold its leaves all year, which means all year round screening. More about Golden Bamboo

5. Black Bamboo

(Phyllostachys Nigra)
Another bamboo, offering a more eye catching alternative to the Golden Bamboo above. In the second/third year of growth you’ll be rewarded with striking black bamboo canes, a gorgeous contrast to the bright green leaves. As with all bamboo, you’ll get fast results from this rapid growing plant. More about Black Bamboo

4. Hornbeam

(Carpinus Betulus)
A hugely important tree to the UK, the Hornbeam is a majestic masterpiece. It’s not evergreen, but what you lose in winter coverage you will gain in wonder as it bursts into greenery come the spring and then changes to splendid yellow and orange colours during the Autumn months. King and Co can supply ‘pleached’ and upright forms of Hornbeam to suit your needs. More about Hornbeam Trees

3. Leylandii Castlewellen Gold

(Cupressocyparis Leylandii)
You’ve heard the horror stories of evasive Leylandii trees, but that’s only due to neglect. They’re easy to maintain and this golden variety is a real stunner. You can’t get much denser for screening purposes, which means it can also be used to cut out traffic noise. Win Win! More about Leylandii Trees

2. Laurel Tree

(Prunus Laurocerasus)
When you see the sun hit glossy Laurel leaves you’ll understand why we’ve placed this right up our chart. They’ll stay just as shiny throughout the winter and only need trimming once or twice during the summer. The foliage is also very dense so you can be sure of an effective screen. Lined up one by one as pictured here they look incredibly elegant and will enhance any garden. Laurels are the fastest growing of our selection, being particularly hardy and well suited to Essex clay soils. More about Laurel Trees

1. Photinia Tree

(Photinia x Fraseri ‘Red Robin’)
We have no hesitation in ranking this, our favourite, of the screening trees, everything you need, plus a little extra. The dense evergreen tree will give you an all year round privacy tree, it can be supplied as a standard tree or as a dense shrub. It has plenty of height, growing up to 5m tall… but to top it all it has the most beautiful dark green leaves that combine with flashes of red. Perfect for brightening up a winter garden, the red colouring becomes even more striking in the spring/summer months when the new foliage comes through. So for a mix of practically and interest throughout the year, then we’d pick Photinia. We now stock Photinia trees for raised beds! More about Photinia

If you’d like some expert advice on picking suitable screening trees then please don’t hesitate to get in touch or drop into the tree nursery. Similar to a garden centre, our tree experts can recommend planting accessories such as fertilisers and soil improvers to ensure the best start for your new trees. Have a look at our evergreen trees below!

• Use screening trees to provide garden privacy, fences are more expensive than you think!
• Bamboo Trees and Hedge (Phyllostachys)
• Magnolia Trees
• Three examples of beautiful Bamboo (Phyllostachys) for creating a natural screen
• Golden Privet Complete Hedging Pack