The price of a privacy tree depends on two things: the species and the container size. A 3-gallon Green Giant Arborvitae costs a fraction of a 15-gallon specimen, but it also starts much smaller. Understanding this trade-off is the key to budgeting a privacy screen project that balances cost, timeline, and results.
Here is how to figure out exactly what your project will cost, from a 30-foot fence line to a 200-foot property border.
How Much Does a Privacy Tree Cost?
Individual privacy trees typically range from $30 to $200+ depending on the species and container size. Smaller containers (1- to 3-gallon) start at the low end. Mid-size containers (5- to 7-gallon) land in the middle. Large specimens (10-gallon and up) command premium prices but give you a significant head start on height and coverage.
Here is the general range by container size:
| Container Size | Starting Height | Typical Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-gallon | 12-18 in. | $15-$35 | Budget projects, patient gardeners |
| 3-gallon | 2-3 ft. | $30-$60 | Best value for most projects |
| 5-gallon | 3-4 ft. | $50-$90 | The sweet spot: good size, reasonable cost |
| 7-gallon | 4-5 ft. | $70-$120 | Faster results, still affordable |
| 10-15 gallon | 5-7 ft. | $100-$200+ | Instant impact, premium investment |
Prices vary by species, season, and availability. Check current pricing on the specific variety you want at Nature Hills for the most accurate numbers.
Privacy Tree Prices by Species
Some species are inherently more expensive than others due to growth rate, demand, and propagation difficulty.
Green Giant Arborvitae
Zones 5-8 | Mature Size: 40-60 ft. tall, 12-18 ft. wide | Growth Rate: 3-5 ft./year
The most popular privacy tree in the country. High demand keeps prices competitive. The fast growth rate (3-5 ft./year) means even a small starter tree fills in quickly, making smaller containers an excellent value.
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Zones 3-8 | Mature Size: 12-15 ft. tall, 3-4 ft. wide | Growth Rate: 1-2 ft./year
Generally less expensive per plant than Green Giant, but the slower growth rate (1-2 ft./year) and tighter spacing requirement (3-4 ft. apart) means you need more plants. Total project cost can be similar.
Leyland Cypress
Zones 6-10 | Mature Size: 40-60 ft. tall, 15-25 ft. wide | Growth Rate: 3-4 ft./year
Comparable pricing to Green Giant. Fast growth and wider spacing (8-10 ft.) means fewer trees per project.
Skip Laurel
Zones 6-9 | Mature Size: 10-18 ft. tall, 5-7 ft. wide | Growth Rate: 2 ft./year
Moderate pricing. A good mid-range option for partial shade. Browse Laurel Bushes.
Privet
Zones 5-9 | Mature Size: 8-15 ft. tall, 4-8 ft. wide | Growth Rate: 2-3 ft./year
The most budget-friendly option per plant. Fast growing and responds well to shearing. Browse Privet Bushes.
How Many Privacy Trees Do You Need?
The number of trees depends on two things: the length of your planting run and the recommended spacing for your chosen species.
Formula: (Length of planting run in feet) / (spacing in feet) + 1 = number of trees
| Species | Tight Screen Spacing | Trees per 50 ft. | Trees per 100 ft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Giant | 5-6 ft. | 9-11 | 18-21 |
| Emerald Green | 3-4 ft. | 13-17 | 26-34 |
| Leyland Cypress | 8-10 ft. | 6-7 | 11-13 |
| Skip Laurel | 4-5 ft. | 11-13 | 21-26 |
| Privet | 3-4 ft. | 13-17 | 26-34 |
Total Project Cost Examples
Here is what a typical privacy screen project looks like at different scales, using mid-range container sizes.
50-Foot Fence Line
Green Giant at 5 ft. spacing: 11 trees x mid-range price = moderate investment
Emerald Green at 3 ft. spacing: 17 trees x mid-range price = similar total despite lower per-plant cost
Privet at 3 ft. spacing: 17 plants x budget price = most affordable option
100-Foot Property Line
Green Giant at 5 ft. spacing: 21 trees
Leyland Cypress at 8 ft. spacing: 13 trees (fewest plants needed)
Emerald Green at 3 ft. spacing: 34 trees (most plants needed)
Do not forget to budget for:
- Mulch: 3-4 inches deep over the planting strip
- Soil amendments: compost or planting mix for heavy clay soils
- Soaker hose and timer: essential for first-year watering
- Stakes and ties: only if trees are tall and site is windy
Best Privacy Trees for the Budget
If you want to minimize cost, you have two strategies:
Strategy 1: Buy smaller, be patient. A 3-gallon Green Giant starts around 2 to 3 feet tall but grows 3 to 5 feet per year. In three growing seasons, that $40 tree is 10 to 15 feet tall. The total project cost drops dramatically compared to buying 7-gallon specimens.
Strategy 2: Choose privet. Privet is the least expensive privacy plant per unit, grows fast (2-3 ft./year), and shears into a dense hedge. The tradeoff: it is semi-evergreen in northern zones (drops leaves in cold winters) and needs more frequent trimming than arborvitae.
The Value Sweet Spot: 3- to 5-Gallon Containers
For most privacy screen projects, 3- to 5-gallon containers offer the best balance of cost and results. They are large enough to make an immediate visual impact (2-4 ft. tall at planting), small enough to be affordable in quantity, and young enough to establish roots quickly. Younger trees actually grow faster after planting than older, larger specimens because they spend less energy recovering from transplant stress.
The exception: if you need screening immediately (new construction, sold neighbor's house) and budget is not the primary concern, 7- to 15-gallon specimens give you instant height and faster privacy.
Start Planning Your Privacy Screen
Browse Privacy Trees and Privacy Shrubs at Nature Hills to see current pricing and availability. Every plant ships container-grown with an established root system, ready to start growing the day it arrives.
