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A clear, no-nonsense way to pick the right evergreen — even if you’re not sure where to start.
Choosing the right privacy tree feels harder than it should. There are dozens of options online, and everyone seems to recommend something different. The truth is, picking the right evergreen for your yard mainly comes down to a few simple factors: your available space, your height goal, your deer pressure, and your exposure to weather.
Once you know those, the decision becomes clear and usually leads you to just a couple of reliable choices.
This guide walks you through the exact process we use when helping homeowners select the best tree for their yard.
Step 1: Measure Your Planting Width
This is the step most people skip, and it’s the reason they end up with trees that quickly outgrow the space.
How to measure it:
- Measure from your fence/property line to the nearest obstacle (lawn edge, patio, shed, walkway).
- That number tells you exactly what category of tree you can use.
What your width means:
- 3–4 ft wide: American Pillar
- 6–8 ft wide: Junior Giant
- 12+ ft wide: Green Giant
If you only know one thing, know this: the width of your space almost always decides your tree for you.
Step 2: Decide How Tall You Need Your Privacy
Are you blocking a second-story window? A deck? A neighbor’s yard? Or just creating a soft backdrop?
General height guidelines:
- 12–15 ft height goal: Emerald Greens can work, but only in protected, deer-free areas.
- 20–30 ft height goal: Choose American Pillar or Junior Giant.
- 30+ ft height goal: Full-size Green Giants (only if your space allows).
If you live in a suburban neighborhood with two-story homes behind you, most decorative evergreens simply won’t be tall enough — which is why homeowners gravitate toward American Pillars and Green Giants.
Step 3: Identify Your Deer Pressure (Even Occasional Visits Count)
Emerald Greens look great until deer find them — and once they do, they rarely recover.
If you have any deer at all:
- Choose American Pillar or Junior Giant
- Avoid Emerald Greens (they’re a deer favorite)
If you have heavy deer traffic:
- American Pillar is almost always the safest and most reliable option.
Step 4: Consider Wind, Snow, and General Exposure
Certain evergreens have structural limitations that show up after a few seasons.
If your yard gets wind, snow loads, or open exposure:
- Choose American Pillar or Junior Giant
- Skip Emerald Greens due to weak single-leader structure
If your yard is protected by fences, garages, or houses:
- Wider variety of trees can succeed
- Junior Giant and Green Giant both do well with good airflow
Most homeowners underestimate how much winter exposure affects tree survival — especially in narrow suburban strips where wind gets funneled between houses.
Step 5: Match Your Needs to the Right Tree
Here’s the simple version:
Choose American Pillar if you want:
- Fast privacy
- Tall, narrow growth
- Strong deer resistance
- A clean, upright wall of green
- A tree for tight suburban yards
Choose Junior Giant if you want:
- A fuller, traditional evergreen look
- Good deer resistance
- A hedge with more body and presence
- A good fit for medium-size backyards
Choose Green Giant if you want:
- A large, natural-looking evergreen
- Plenty of width and height
- A long-term privacy wall on acreage
- A tree for wide, open spaces
Skip Emerald Greens if:
- You have deer
- You need tall privacy
- You get heavy wind/snow
- Your last row of Emerald Greens failed
The Right Evergreen Based on Yard Size
Narrow suburban yard (4 ft of space):
→ American Pillar
Medium-size yard with 6–8 ft of space:
→ Junior Giant
Large open yard or acreage:
→ Green Giant
Decorative foundation plantings with protection from deer:
→ Emerald Green (with caution)
The Easiest Way to Choose? Send Us a Photo!
Once you know your planting width, height goal, deer pressure, and exposure, the right choice usually becomes obvious. But if you’re still unsure, we can help.
If you send us a quick photo and a measurement or two, we can recommend the right tree and spacing for your yard — no guesswork.
Request a quote or send us a photo, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
