Looking to add more privacy to your St. Louis or St. Charles County property? Whether you’re shielding your backyard from nearby neighbors or creating a quiet retreat from street noise, landscaping with trees and shrubs can offer an attractive, eco-friendly solution that will improve your home environment.

Natural screens do more than provide privacy; they also help buffer wind, reduce noise, and increase curb appeal. In this blog, we’ll explore the best fast-growing, low-maintenance trees and shrubs that thrive throughout the St. Louis region, plus tips for placement, spacing, and care.

Why Choose Plants Over Fences?

Before diving into plant options, it’s worth asking: why go natural?

• Aesthetic appeal: A green screen looks more organic and can do much to complement your home’s architecture and the surrounding landscape.
• Environmental benefits: Trees and shrubs support local wildlife, improve air quality, and reduce stormwater runoff.
• Long-term value: While fencing may need replacement in 10–15 years, a well-maintained hedge or tree line can last generations.
• Property line softening: In neighborhoods like Chesterfield, Ballwin, or St. Charles, where lot lines often sit close together, plants offer privacy without feeling closed-in.

Best Trees for Privacy in St. Louis Landscapes

Eastern White Pine: A classic choice for fast, year-round privacy. This soft-needled evergreen grows quickly, often two to three feet per year, and can in maturity reach 50 to 80 feet in height, though it can be trimmed to maintain size.

• Pros: Fast-growing, adaptable, and soft in texture
• Consider: Prefers slightly acidic, well-drained soils; may not do well in compacted clay without soil improvement

American Arborvitae: Perfect for tight suburban lots commonly found in the St. Louis and St. Charles areas. Arborvitae forms a dense, upright hedge with minimal pruning required.

• Pros: Evergreen, formal look, low maintenance
• Consider: Deer may browse on foliage; fencing or repellents may be needed in more rural areas

Note: Bagworms can be a major issue with arborvitaes if left unchecked. Regular inspection and removal of bagworm cocoons in fall can help protect your hedge.

Green Giant Arborvitae: A hybrid arborvitae with superior growth rate and disease resistance. Tolerates St. Louis humidity well and fills in quickly.

• Pros: Fast-growing (up to three feet per year!), wind-tolerant
• Consider: Needs room to grow; plant at least five to six feet apart for a full screen

Green Giants are less susceptible to bagworm infestations than other arborvitae varieties, making them a lower-maintenance choice for privacy.

Norway Spruce: A hardy, deep green spruce that thrives in Missouri winters and offers dense cover.

• Pros: Grows well in cold climates, excellent windbreak
• Consider: Needs full sun and adequate space ( can reach a mature height of more than 60 feet

Shrubs That Thrive in St. Louis and St. Charles and Offer Eye-Level Privacy

Several species of shrubs can offer privacy at eye-level or serve as a layered buffer in combination with trees. Some of the best of these include:

Viburnum: Many native and hybrid viburnums work well in the St. Louis region, offering spring flowers, fall color, and dense foliage.

• Pros: Seasonal interest, good for pollinators, grows to six to 12 feet
• Consider: Some species grow wider than tall, making them ideal for borders

Winterberry Holly: A deciduous holly native to Missouri, the winterberry Holly grows into a thick, twiggy screen and shows off bright red berries in fall and winter.

• Pros: Native, wildlife-friendly, excellent in moist soils
• Consider: Requires both male and female plants to produce berries

Ninebark: The ninebark is an underused native shrub that’s perfect for informal privacy hedges.

• Pros: Fast-growing, textured bark, white or pink flowers
• Consider: Cut back occasionally to manage shape and siz

Spacing, Placement and Design Tips

Privacy planting isn’t just about picking the right species; it’s about designing and sticking with an intentional layout:

• Stagger your plantings in two rows (zigzag pattern) for better coverage and a more natural look.
• Avoid planting too close together as tight spacing may look good early on but can eventually lead to crowding and poor airflow as your trees grow in height and width.
• Use a mix of heights and textures to soften the screen visually while still blocking sightlines.
• Consider sunlight: Most evergreens need full sun to stay full and dense. Partial shade may be fine for shrubs like viburnum or ninebark.

In St. Louis’ clay soils, enriching your soil may be necessary to ensure good drainage. Adding compost or topsoil and mulching at the base can help young plants become established.

Seasonal Considerations

• Fall is one of the best times to plant trees and shrubs in Missouri. The soil is still warm, promoting root growth, and the cooler air reduces transplant stress.
• Water regularly through the first growing season, especially during dry spells.
• Apply two to three inches of mulch (not touching the trunk) to protect roots through winter.

When to Call a Pro

While do-it-yourself landscaping can be satisfying, privacy planting involves long-term planning:

• Ensuring proper spacing, sunlight exposure, and soil compatibility
• Matching species to property size, wind exposure, and drainage
• Managing long-term pruning and pest resistance

At Hansen’s Tree Service, we offer planting consultations and landscape design support throughout the St. Louis, St. Charles and Lake of the Ozark areas. Whether you need a privacy plan for a new home in Wentzville or want to upgrade an existing line of evergreens in Kirkwood, we’re here to help.

Create a Natural Retreat for Your St. Louis or St. Charles Area Home

With the right trees and shrubs, your yard can become a private oasis, and a beautiful one at that. Natural screening enhances your landscape, supports local wildlife, and improves your property value. Ready to block out the view and block in some beauty?

Contact us today; we’re here to help!