Best Trees for Screening Neighbours UK | Natural Privacy from Overlooking Windows

Feeling overlooked in your garden? Whether you live in a new-build estate, a row of terraces, or a rural plot with open boundaries, the right screening trees can create a natural, beautiful barrier between you and your neighbours.

This post explores the best trees for screening neighbours in UK gardens—including fast-growing, above-fence, and evergreen options that offer both privacy and charm. We’ll also guide you through practical planting techniques, styling ideas, and real-world scenarios to help you choose the right tree for your space.

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Why Use Trees to Screen Neighbours?

Privacy fences are often limited to 6ft due to planning laws.

Trees give you a way to:

• Create privacy above fence height

• Soften views from upstairs windows

• Block sightlines from balconies or decking

• Add structure and shade

• Increase property value and wildlife appeal

  
  

The right trees blend seamlessly into the landscape, creating a softer, greener alternative to hard boundaries. Plus, they offer seasonal interest, improve air quality, and provide habitats for birds and insects—making your outdoor space more peaceful and biodiverse.

Want to learn more about using trees to create privacy? Check out the RHS Guide to Trees for Privacy for in-depth planting advice.

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Best Trees for Privacy from Neighbours

1. Photinia ‘Red Robin’ (Pleached or Standard Form)

• Type: Evergreen

• Height: 2–4m trained

• Best For: Colourful screening above fences

With vibrant red new growth and a tidy shape, Photinia is a favourite for above-fence screening. In pleached form, it creates a green "privacy panel" that blocks views from upper-storey windows. Bonus: Great for small gardens and looks good year-round.

2. Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)

• Type: Deciduous / Semi-evergreen

• Height: 15-30m

• Best For: Holding privacy through winter

Hornbeam keeps its copper-brown leaves through the cold months, offering excellent screening even when not fully in leaf. It can be planted as a natural hedge, pleached screen, or trained standard. Use it: Along boundary lines where year-round privacy is key.

3. Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

• Type: Evergreen

• Height: 8–12m

• Best For: Vertical privacy in tight gardens

If you need to block sightlines from an upstairs window without taking up floor space, this ultra-slim tree is perfect. No pruning needed—just plant and let it grow tall. Design tip: Line 3–5 trees in a row to form a green vertical curtain.

4. Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra 'Italica')

• Type: Deciduous

• Height: Up to 30m

• Best For: Fast, tall boundary screening

One of the fastest-growing trees in the UK, Lombardy Poplar offers instant height. Ideal for larger plots where neighbours' windows or gardens loom nearby. Be cautious of its root spread—plant well away from buildings. Growth rate: 1–2 metres per year.

5. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

• Type: Evergreen

• Height: 5–8m

• Best For: Dense, elegant hedging

Portuguese Laurel grows into a thick, dark green hedge that offers excellent visual and noise screening. It’s slower-growing than Cherry Laurel, which makes it much easier to maintain—perfect for long-term privacy. Bonus: Hardy, shade-tolerant, and easy to shape.

6. Italian Alder (Alnus cordata)

• Type: Deciduous (semi-evergreen in mild climates)

• Height: 15–25m

• Best For: Fast-growing privacy in tough conditions

Italian Alder is a hardy, fast-growing tree that tolerates poor, compacted, or wet soils. Its upright habit and glossy green leaves create effective screening—especially in new-build or rural plots where quick coverage is needed.

7. Ornamental Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

• Type: Deciduous

• Height: 7–12m

• Best For: Neat, upright privacy in formal settings

Ornamental Pears like ‘Chanticleer’ are prized for their tidy, conical shape and long-lasting leaves. Perfect for driveways or patios where space is limited but upper-storey screening is needed. Their white spring blossom adds bonus seasonal interest.

8. Green Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

• Type: Deciduous / Semi-evergreen

• Height: Up to 40m

• Best For: Classic screening hedges

Green Beech forms a thick, elegant hedge that retains its coppery leaves throughout winter. It’s a timeless choice for both country and urban gardens, ideal as a clipped hedge, pleached screen or standard tree to provide long-term privacy and structure.

9. Field Maple (Acer campestre)

• Type: Deciduous

• Height: 10–20m

• Best For: Native privacy and wildlife-friendly screening

Field Maple is a compact, bushy tree that works brilliantly as a screening hedge or small boundary tree. Native to the UK, it offers excellent autumn colour, supports wildlife, and tolerates a range of conditions. It’s especially suited to more naturalistic or rural garden styles.

10. English Oak (Quercus robur)

• Type: Deciduous

• Height: Up to 40m

• Best For: Long-term privacy and native wildlife value

A majestic native species, English Oak creates a strong, natural boundary when space allows. With a broad canopy and dense summer foliage, it’s perfect for rural privacy screening. It also supports hundreds of insect and bird species, making it a wildlife-friendly choice for larger gardens or field edges.

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Privacy Above a Fence: Your Options

Want more than a 6ft fence can offer?

Try:

• Pleached trees to lift the screen above eye level

• Standard trees with clear stems for a "hedge on stilts" effect

• Container-grown trees to raise the rootball and get instant height

• Layered planting with climbers, shrubs and trees for multi-level cover

This kind of approach can create a more interesting and textured garden layout, while still solving privacy problems in overlooked spaces. Combining trees with other garden features also allows you to maximise vertical interest and soften the overall design.

For a guide on pleached trees, take a look at This Pleached Tree Guide for insights into choosing and maintaining them.

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Choosing the Right Screening Tree for Your Garden

Selecting the appropriate tree for privacy screening involves considering several factors to ensure it meets your specific needs and thrives in your garden environment.

Garden Size and Space Constraints

• Small Gardens: For limited spaces, opt for trees with a narrow, upright growth habit. Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is an excellent choice, reaching heights of 8–12 metres while maintaining a slim profile.

• Larger Gardens: If space permits, broader trees like English Oak (Quercus robur) can provide extensive coverage and a majestic presence.

Desired Growth Rate

• Fast-Growing Trees: For quicker results, consider Lombardy Poplar (Populus nigra 'Italica'), known for its rapid growth of 1–2 metres per year.

• Moderate to Slow-Growing Trees: If maintenance is a concern, trees like Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) offer a more controlled growth rate.

Evergreen vs. Deciduous

• Evergreen Trees: For year-round privacy, evergreens such as Photinia 'Red Robin' or Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) retain their foliage throughout the seasons.

• Deciduous Trees: If seasonal interest is preferred, deciduous trees like Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) provide dense foliage in summer and attractive autumn colour.

Soil and Environmental Conditions

• Soil Type: Assess your soil's drainage and fertility. Italian Alder (Alnus cordata) thrives in poor, compacted soils, making it suitable for challenging sites.

• Exposure: In windy or coastal areas, hardy species like Field Maple (Acer campestre) can withstand harsh conditions while providing effective screening.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select a screening tree that not only improves privacy but also complements your garden's aesthetics and conditions.

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Screening Strategy by Situation

Neighbour Problem	Best Tree Solution
Overlooked by upstairs windows	Pleached Hornbeam or Photinia
Small garden, close fences	Japanese Holly or Italian Cypress
Need fast results	Lombardy Poplar or Hybrid Willow
Want winter cover	Evergreen Laurel or Holm Oak
Modern garden design	Photinia, Olive, or clipped Yew

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The Etiquette of Screening Neighbours

• Check boundary lines before planting

• Avoid trees with invasive roots (e.g. large willows or poplars near houses)

• Communicate with neighbours if trees may impact their light or views

• Maintain trees responsibly to avoid disputes or legal issues

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Shop Privacy Trees for Screening Neighbours

At Bowhayes Trees, we specialise in natural screening trees to help you regain privacy—beautifully.

✔️Pleached and standard forms available ✔️Evergreen and deciduous options ✔️Delivery across the UK. Explore Screening Trees for Neighbour Privacy

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FAQs

What is the best tree to block a neighbour’s upstairs window?

Pleached trees like Photinia, Hornbeam, or Portuguese Laurel are ideal for adding privacy above fence height, screening upper-floor windows without taking up too much ground space.

What trees grow tall but don’t take up much space?

Italian Cypress and Upright Cherry are excellent choices. Their narrow, vertical growth makes them ideal for tight spaces, narrow borders, and patios.

Can I legally plant trees for privacy in the UK?

Yes, you can plant trees for privacy, but be mindful not to block light or views in a way that could lead to disputes. It's best to discuss plans with your neighbour and ensure you respect property boundaries and local regulations.

Do I need planning permission for screening trees?

No, planning permission isn’t usually required. However, if trees grow very tall or are planted close to a boundary, they may be subject to high hedge legislation. Always check with your local council if you're unsure.