The Top 5 Hedging Trees for Possum-Prone Gardens

If you live in an area with heavy possum activity, you know how quickly they can strip new growth from popular hedging plants like lilly pillies and ficus. Many customers come to us after losing entire hedges overnight.

The good news is that not all trees are on the possum menu.

Here are our top 5 hedging trees that possums generally avoid. This list is based on real-world results, customer feedback, and our experience as industry experts.

1. Cupressus Leylandii ‘Better Green’

Best for: Fast, tall, possum-proof screening

Better Green is one of the strongest performers in possum-prone areas. Possums avoid it because the resin in its leaves tastes bitter and the foliage is tough to chew. The dense branches also make it hard for possums to climb or rest inside the tree.

Fast-growing, tall, and reliable
Evergreen and dense from top to bottom
Handles full sun, wind, and poor soil
Excellent for long boundary hedges

If you want height quickly and don’t want to feed the local possums, Better Green is a standout choice.

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2. Cupressus Leylandii ‘Leighton Green’

Best for: Large properties and high privacy needs

Leighton Green is another excellent option that possums typically ignore. Its strong, pine-like smell and tough, fibrous leaves are unpleasant for possums. The tree's dense growth makes it harder for possums to reach new shoots.

Grows up to 1 metre per year
Tough and hardy
Provides serious screening
Not preferred by possums due to its strong smell and tough foliage

This is one of the safest bets for possum-heavy suburbs or semi-rural areas.

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3. Juniperus chinensis ‘Spartan’

Best for: Narrow areas and low-maintenance hedging

Spartan is a narrow, upright conifer with a tidy shape. Possums rarely touch it because its sharp, needle-like foliage is uncomfortable to eat and gives off a strong scent they dislike.

Slim profile for tight spaces
Very low maintenance
Strong evergreen colour
Possums tend to avoid junipers due to their sharp, aromatic foliage

A great choice when you need screening without the width.

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4. Laurus nobilis ‘Miles Choice’ (Bay Tree)

Best for: Medium hedges and formal gardens

Bay trees are possum-resistant because their leaves contain aromatic oils that possums find off-putting. The leaves are also leathery and tough, making them difficult for possums to eat. Miles Choice is a superior cultivar with a strong, upright habit.

Dense, dark green foliage
Easily clipped for a formal hedge
Excellent performance in high-possum areas
Suitable for front gardens and decorative screening

If you want structure and style without sacrificing durability, this one ticks all boxes.

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5. Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Green Pillar’

Best for: A softer, modern look without possum damage

Many softer hedging shrubs get eaten quickly, but Green Pillar is generally left alone. Its leaves are thicker, with a slightly waxy coating and a mild bitter taste, making them less attractive to possums than softer species like lilly pilly.