Do you have an area in your yard where space is limited but you need year-round screening? Find out how to use Arborvitae Trees in your landscape for privacy, screening & more!
Be sure to check out the *BONUS TREE PLANTING VIDEO* at the end of this post!
Reasons to Choose Arborvitae for Privacy Screening →
- Block an unsightly view
- Neighbors have too much of a view into your yard
- Need to add beauty by bringing in a soft texture
- Protect guests during gatherings from wind gusts
- Nearby busy street
- Noisy street or loud neighbor– did you know that plants absorb sound?
- Redirect snow drifts
Consider Mature Height & Width
With all tree plantings, mature height and width need to be taken into consideration when selecting your tree placement. You don't want to end up with a tree that appears to be overgrown for the space that it's in. It will save you a lot of headaches down the road to figure that out first.
With all tree plantings, mature height and width need to be taken into consideration when selecting your tree placement. You don't want to end up with a tree that appears to be overgrown for the space that it's in. It will save you a lot of headaches down the road to figure that out first.
If you need to plant a tree near your property line or easement, please be considerate of your neighbors.
Nigra Arborvitae is great for creating a living fence. This tree will create solid, year-round screening. Nigra Arborvitae is more narrow at maturity than its popular counterpart, Techny Arborvitae. This tree should not be planted in areas where it may be exposed to harsh winds.
| Mature Height- | 20 Ft Tall |
| Mature Spread- | 7 Ft Wide |
Techny Arborvitae is tall, narrow, and holds its deep green color all year long. This tree is very hardy, wind-resistant, and adaptable. It can tolerate wetter locations, and should not be planted in extremely dry locations without frequent watering.
| Mature Height- | 15 Ft Tall |
| Mature Spread- | 8 Ft Wide |
03 Emerald Green Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'
![Emerald Green Arborvitae]()
Emerald Green Arborvitae is one of the most popular arborvitae varieties and is known for its extremely narrow habit of growth. This narrow arborvitae has a bright green foliage color that holds well all winter. Be sure to read through to the end of this post, where you can check out the *BONUS TREE PLANTING VIDEO* of our crew installing these beauts!
Emerald Green Arborvitae is one of the most popular arborvitae varieties and is known for its extremely narrow habit of growth. This narrow arborvitae has a bright green foliage color that holds well all winter. Be sure to read through to the end of this post, where you can check out the *BONUS TREE PLANTING VIDEO* of our crew installing these beauts!
| Mature Height- | 15 Ft Tall |
| Mature Spread- | 4 Ft Wide |
Green Giant Arborvitae is a great tree to use as a screen, hedge, windbreak, or as a single specimen. This arborvitae is large, vigorous, and fast-growing. It has a pyramidal form and a medium to dark green color which is very resistant to winter frost burn. Green Giant has proven itself as a performer and can be used anywhere in the landscape. Under good growing conditions, this tree can grow up to 3 Ft per year!
| Mature Height- | 50-60 Ft Tall |
| Mature Spread- | 12-20 Ft Wide |
Design Spacing & Layout
— Layout —
Arborvitae is typically planted close together in rows to achieve a screening effect. For a more formal look, plant in a straight row. Going for a more natural feel? Stagger your rows in odd numbers 3, 5, 7, 9, etc…
— Spacing —
Our general rule of thumb is to take the mature width (canopy spread) of the tree and divide it by two. This means you're spacing your tree from the center of the tree's trunk. If you're going to stagger your trees, you would measure this on a diagonal. However, if you're looking for a more dense privacy screen you can plant your trees closer together so that as they mature they will grow together.
Nigra Spacing— Typical spacing for Nigra Arborvitae is approximately 5 Ft apart for single rows and 5 Ft apart for double rows that are spaced 10 Ft from each other.
Techny Spacing— Spacing for Techny Arborvitae is approximately 9 Ft apart for single rows and 10 Ft apart for double rows that are spaced 12 Ft from each other.
Emerald Green Spacing— We recommend spacing them 2 or 3 Ft from the center of the trunk for a quick screen.
Green Giant Spacing— Be aware that unlike many Arborvitae used for landscape situations the Green Giant gets massive and will reach a height of 50-60 Ft Tall by 12-20 Ft Wide. For a quick screen, plant them 5-6 Ft apart but 10-15 Ft apart is ideal for regular situations.
*BONUS TREE PLANTING VIDEO*
We had the pleasure of planting 12 trees for this wonderful customer. She was looking for ornamental interest & privacy. 1- Eastern Redbud, 1- Vernal Witchhazel, and 10- Emerald Green Arborvitae beautifully completed this home's landscaping.
Let us know what you think! If you enjoyed this post & bonus video please like, comment, and share!
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