Plant Fast-Growing Wax Myrtle Trees In Your Yard For A Low-Maintenance Privacy Screen

Growing a natural privacy screen doesn't need to be difficult or take forever if you choose the right tree. The best choice for your yard might be the wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), a broadleaf evergreen tree native to the U.S. Otherwise referred to as Southern bayberry, wax myrtle is a species in the bayberry family. Both names refer to the waxy, aromatic fruits that develop on the branches during early fall. These greyish-blue, waxy bayberries attract birds in the winter. If you want to learn how to attract birds to your yard during the cold season, consider cultivating berries on your wax myrtle privacy screen by growing both male and female plants. But, besides its value as a wildlife beacon, homeowners like to grow the wax myrtle because it's an evergreen tree that can give you privacy all year round. 

Homeowners also gravitate towards wax myrtles due to their relatively quick growth rate. At their tallest, wax myrtles can reach 20 to 25 feet, and might grow as much as 5 feet in just one season. However, they rarely reach the tallest height, mostly staying at a moderate 12 feet tall. Their width can also reach 8 to 10 feet, depending on the level of pruning and shaping. The adaptability of this species makes it a good option for urban areas because of its salt tolerance. It's also a wind-tolerant tree, which is a plus for a living privacy fence.

Given the right conditions, you can establish wax myrtle in your yard easily, especially if you live in hardiness zones 7 through 10. Further north, wax myrtle is classified as semi-evergreen, which means you might experience some loss of cover in the winter months. The beauty of the Southern bayberry is that it doesn't discriminate when it comes to soil. It will be happy in marshy areas or occasionally dry spots, but it prefers acidic soil with good drainage. 

Pruning is a vital element to growing a wax myrtle privacy screen. Without proper attention as they mature wax myrtle trees can become overgrown. At any point in the year, this shrub can be lightly pruned to take care of damaged branches. To shape wax myrtle shrubs into a tree form, however, involves carefully cutting back all but the three most active branches to encourage upward growth. You can start this type of pruning on one-year-old plants in early March. Don't make the common pruning mistake of forgetting to trim your wax myrtle each year until its shape is established. Note that the wax myrtle tree has the potential to catch fire easily. The leaves, stems, and branches all contain flammable chemicals, so ideally you will grow a hedge some distance from your house.