A comprehensive budget for a privacy screen involves more than just the initial price tag for the trees. Creating a dense, effective screen quickly typically means purchasing semi-mature plants, which significantly raises the starting cost. The final investment combines the tree’s base price, influenced by its size and species, with expenses related to installation, labor, and long-term maintenance. Understanding these variable factors is the first step in accurately estimating the total financial commitment for your new privacy barrier.
Variables That Determine the Base Purchase Price
The initial cost of the tree is primarily determined by its maturity and how it was grown. Larger, more established trees cost substantially more because they represent several years of nursery care and resources. For instance, a 3-foot sapling is a fraction of the cost of an 8-foot semi-mature tree, though the smaller option requires more patience to achieve the desired screening height.
The tree’s packaging method directly influences handling costs and price. The cheapest option is a bare-root specimen, available seasonally and requiring immediate planting. Containerized trees, grown in plastic pots, are more expensive but offer planting flexibility. Ball-and-burlap (B&B) trees feature a large, heavy root ball dug directly from a field. B&B trees are typically the largest and most costly, demanding specialized equipment and labor for transport and planting due to their weight.
Purchasing a large number of trees often unlocks wholesale pricing or bulk discounts from the nursery. These discounts can significantly reduce the per-unit cost, making a large-scale privacy project more economical. Regional differences also play a role, as local supply, demand, and climate-specific growing costs affect the final price.
Price Ranges for Popular Privacy Tree Species
The species selected for a privacy screen is a major factor in the total cost. Fast-growing, common varieties like the Leyland Cypress and Green Giant Arborvitae are generally more affordable than slower-growing, denser evergreens. A 5- to 6-foot Leyland Cypress or Green Giant Arborvitae, often sold as a B&B specimen, costs between $70 and $175 per tree at the nursery, excluding labor and delivery. These trees offer rapid vertical growth, often three to five feet per year, providing a quick screen solution.
In contrast, denser, more formal options like the Emerald Green Arborvitae are typically priced slightly higher for the same height, ranging from $115 to $190 for a 5- to 6-foot B&B plant. This price difference is due to their slower growth rate, requiring more time and care in the nursery. For a 50-foot screen, the cost of the plants alone can range from roughly $750 to over $3,000, depending on spacing and species. The investment for slower-growing plants is often higher because they offer a more compact, manicured look suitable for smaller spaces or formal hedges.
Installation and Labor Expenses
Professional Installation
Hiring professionals to plant privacy trees significantly increases the total cost, often doubling the initial price of the trees. Landscaping companies and arborists typically charge labor by the hour, with rates ranging from $50 to $150 per person. Alternatively, they may charge a flat per-tree installation fee, averaging between $150 and $600 for trees 6 to 20 feet tall (labor only).
The total cost to have a semi-mature tree professionally planted, including the tree and labor, frequently falls between $540 and $680 per tree. Delivery fees also add to the budget, often starting with a standard fee of around $125 or calculated per mile. Difficult site access, rocky soil, or the need for a backhoe to plant large B&B specimens will further elevate the installation price.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Costs
Opting for a DIY approach eliminates professional labor costs but introduces expenses for equipment and supplies. For projects involving numerous trees, renting a power auger is advisable to dig deep, wide holes efficiently. Daily rental rates for a gas-powered auger typically range from $85 to $125, depending on the size and location.
The purchase of necessary soil amendments, such as compost and starter fertilizer, is a required expense. These materials help new trees establish their root systems by improving local soil quality. Additionally, mulch is needed to conserve soil moisture and regulate temperature around the newly planted trees, ensuring successful establishment.
Long-Term Ownership Costs
The financial commitment to a privacy screen extends beyond the initial purchase and planting phase. Newly planted trees require consistent and deep watering, especially during their first two establishment years, which can increase water utility bills. Drought conditions necessitate more frequent applications, sometimes requiring twice-daily watering for young plants.
Ongoing maintenance costs include fertilizer and soil treatment, priced at an estimated $0.02 to $0.08 per square foot for the hedge area. If you outsource the upkeep, professional pruning and trimming services are a recurring expense, typically costing between $150 and $850 for a full privacy hedge section. Budgeting for potential plant failure is prudent, as replacing a single established tree, including removal and replanting, can cost between $500 and $2,700.