Florida Evergreen Privacy Fence: Eastern Red Cedar, Green Giant Arborvitae, Leyland Cypress

Question: SW FL (Zone 9-10), need 20-ft tall, 6-ft wide evergreen privacy fence (12-13 trees). Neighbor's tree: 20 ft, conical, soft upward branches. Red cedar close but unsure about full bottom. Best tree? Planting time?

Answer: Fall Is Ideal; Eastern Red Cedar Matches Photo; Two Other Fast Options

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) – matches clipping. Dense pyramidal, 20 ft × 12 ft, 2 ft/yr. Prune to keep smaller. Soft blue-green new foliage, dark green mature. Reddish bark, blue fruit (female). Photo.

Arborvitae 'Green Giant' (Thuja 'Green Giant') – any soil, pyramids knit together, no pruning needed, pest/deer resistant. Plant 5–6 ft (quick) or 10–12 ft (gradual). Zones 2–10, to 60 ft.

Leyland Cypress (× Cupressocyparis leylandii) – columnar, flat scales, fast, many varieties, inexpensive. Zones 5–9 (may work in 9-10). To 60 ft.

Prune all before spring growth (March).

—Marc