Broken Arrow homeowners who want privacy in their backyard typically consider two options: a privacy fence or privacy landscaping with trees and shrubs. Both work — but they have very different characteristics in terms of cost, appearance, HOA compliance, maintenance, and long-term value. Here’s an honest comparison to help you decide what’s right for your Broken Arrow property.
Privacy Fence in Broken Arrow — Pros and Cons
Pros
- Immediate privacy from day one
- Clear property line definition
- Lower upfront cost for small properties
- Blocks view completely (no gaps)
Cons
- HOAs in many Broken Arrow neighborhoods restrict fence height, materials, and placement
- Wood fences require painting/staining every 3–5 years and can warp or rot in Oklahoma’s humidity
- Vinyl fences can yellow and become brittle in Oklahoma’s UV intensity and temperature extremes
- Fences do not add property value the same way landscaping does
- Wind exposure — a solid fence panel acts as a sail in Broken Arrow’s severe storm events
- Fences look the same in every season — no seasonal interest
Privacy Landscaping in Broken Arrow — Pros and Cons
Pros
- Significantly increases property value (landscaping returns 80–150% at resale)
- Typically HOA-compliant where fences are not
- Wind-permeable — trees and shrubs flex in storms rather than becoming projectile panels
- Provides wildlife habitat, shade, seasonal interest, and beauty
- Gets better with time — a row of Green Giant arborvitae planted at 6 feet tall becomes an 18-foot solid screen in 5 years
- Can be integrated with outdoor living design for a cohesive backyard appearance
Cons
- Not instant — takes 2–5 years for full screening depending on plants selected
- Requires irrigation to establish quickly (drip irrigation is highly recommended)
- Higher upfront cost for larger properties that need extensive coverage
- Some plant loss can occur in severe winters (cold hardiness selection matters)
Best Privacy Plants for Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
- Green Giant Arborvitae — Fastest growing evergreen for privacy screens; 3–5 feet per year; Zone 5 hardy (very safe for Broken Arrow)
- Leyland Cypress — Fast, tall, and dense; excellent screening but can have disease issues in Oklahoma if planted too close together
- Nellie Stevens Holly — Dense evergreen with red berries; excellent for Broken Arrow; 3–4 feet per year
- Wax Myrtle — Fast-growing, semi-evergreen; fragrant; excellent for Broken Arrow’s southern exposures
- Eastern Red Cedar — Native Oklahoma tree; extremely tough, very long-lived, dense screening once established
The Best Answer for Many Broken Arrow Properties
For many Broken Arrow homeowners, the best approach is a combination — a fence for the back property line where full panel privacy is needed, with privacy plantings along the sides for a more natural, HOA-friendly solution. VistaScapes can help you think through the right approach for your specific property and design a planting plan that delivers maximum privacy in the shortest possible timeline.
Get a Free Privacy Landscape Consultation in Broken Arrow
Call VistaScapes at 918-779-1317 to discuss privacy landscaping options for your Broken Arrow property. We design and install privacy screens, foundation plantings, and complete landscape projects for Broken Arrow, Tulsa, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso, and the surrounding metro.
