Fast Growing Screen Trees and Plants in Texas
- Loblolly pine is one fast-growing species that will provide ample cover.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
If you want to plant a tree or plant to provide cover relatively quickly, many fast-growing species will thrive in your Texas garden. Pick plants and trees based on your soil type, available sunlight and your aesthetic preferences. For additional advice tailored to your specific region, consult with your local horticultural extension. - Planting evergreen Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), also known as Virginia juniper, will provide a screen of privacy year-round. In order to provide the best coverage, keep the tree pruned to a pyramidal shape. The eastern red cedar often reaches heights of 30 to 40 feet, though it can reach up to 90 feet under ideal conditions. The tree's foliage is needle-shaped and gray to blue-green in color. In the winter, it tends to turn brown. The tree is extremely adaptable to various climates and weather conditions, tolerating drought, heat and cold in 37 different states, including Texas. The tree grows well in sun, partial shade or full shade. For best results, plant in dry, calcareous soil.
- The evergreen Cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana) belongs to the rose family and grows either as a shrub or a small tree. Keep its growth dense with regular pruning for a solid screen. The cherry laurel ranges in height between 15 and 36 feet tall an has a roughly pyramidal shape. The leaves are shiny green and poisonous if ingested; keep this in mind if you have children or pets. The plant's tiny white flowers, about 3/16 inches across, grow in large clumps, flowering in late winter to spring. The fleshy, blue-black cherries remain throughout winter, attracting birds and wildlife. The cherry laurel grows well throughout the state in a range of soil types, provided it receives partial or full sun.
- The Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), also known as the old field pine, bull pine or rosemary pine, is one of the fastest-growing pines to grow in the southern United States. The tree can grow relatively tall, reaching upward of 50 to 60 feet. Its thick coverage of long, dark green needles, however, provide ample coverage within little time. The name "loblolly" refers to mud puddles, as the pines are quite adaptable to moisture, often growing along river beds. The name "rosemary pine" comes from the tree's highly aromatic needles. For best results, plant the pine in partial shade. As an additional benefit to the home gardener, the tree often attracts butterflies and birds.
