Arborvitae Trees: Spacing And How Many Should You Plant
How Far Apart Should You Plant Arborvitae Trees?
Arborvitae is the go-to evergreen for lining a fence and creating a privacy hedge. So we are going to get our hands dirty in planning out how far apart you should plant these trees to create the effect you’re looking for. It also depends on how quickly you may want a lush green security wall up. Gardening is a practice in patience, though, with a little wiggle room, there are different spacing methods to how much or how little time you have for your privacy wall to reach full dense maturity.
Choosing Emerald Green Arborvitae vs. Green Giant Arborvitae
It is important to recognize the differences between Green Giant and Emerald Green and which option is best for your lawn.
- Choose Emerald Green, where space may be limited, like planting along a driveway, fence line, or a smaller backyard where your desired hedge height is less than 15 feet tall.
- Choose Green Giant, where your space is limitless, and you have plenty of room to enjoy a larger evergreen hedge where your desired privacy height is more than 15 feet tall.
Now we’ll bust out the calculator for you and guide you into exactly how far apart you should plant these arborvitae trees.
Green Giant Arborvitae Spacing: How Far Apart Should My Trees Be Planted and How Many Do I Need?
A general rule of thumb is to plant Green Giant arborvitae trees 6-8 feet apart for best performance. Since these spritely evergreens grow exceptionally fast, it’s helpful to understand even more how to space them to accommodate their growth and flourish in your landscape.
First, begin by measuring the area in your landscape you are looking to cover. Let’s use the example that you have 100 feet of space you want to cover. Then divide that number by how far apart you will be planting them; 6-8 feet is the recommendation, so we will say plant them 8 feet apart. That comes to 12.5 trees; round that down to an even 12 for the exact amount of trees you’ll need for the space.
The simple math equation:
- Length of yard you’re covering ÷ spacing from trunk to trunk = The Total Number of Trees Needed.
- Example: 100 feet of landscape ÷ planting trees 8 feet apart = 12 Green Giant trees you will need for that space.
As you can see in the above diagram, there is a good amount of space between each Green Giant to have room to grow. The more space you give each tree, the larger it will get! However, the trade-off is time. Hedge planting like this for a privacy wall could take two to five years to grow into a dense green screen. If time is not a worry for you, this method is perfect and the most optimal as planting bigger, healthier trees is always better than growing them too close together.
Though if time is of the essence, and you need a natural fence up in a hurry - there are two ways of accomplishing an instant arborvitae hedge wall!
1. Instant Hedging with Green Giant
The first method of getting a privacy wall in a hurry is planting your Green Giant arborvitae trees closer together. You can plant them 5-6 feet apart, so you won’t have to wait long as they will soon become lush and give you that seclusion you want. However, there are a few key things to note as you don’t want to plant arborvitae trees too close together, preventing them from fully developing and causing many problems in a few years.
- Plant 5-6 feet apart, and not any closer together than that
- Plan to shear the trees several times through the seasons, so they do not overgrow into each other. Check out more detailed information on How To Prune Arborvitae Trees.
2. The Zig-Zag Method with Green Giant
Staggering Green Giant arborvitae trees is often used in landscape design to add texture, creativity, and a privacy wall will almost happen instantaneously the moment you plant your Green Giants. This will require more trees for the space, as you’ll be planting two rows of arborvitae, though the eye-catching effects this silhouette creates is picturesque!
You will use the same simple math equation as above, Length of yard you’re covering ÷ spacing from trunk to trunk = The Total Number of Trees Needed. Though, you will then diagonally plant a second row of arborvitae between each open space. This method is not only healthiest for the trees, but it will instantly plant a privacy hedge, adding a dynamic effect to your landscape. It can also become a fun place for kids to play as they weave in and out of the trees and for memorable family photos.
Emerald Green Arborvitae Spacing: How Far Apart Should My Trees Be Planted and How Many Do I Need?
Emerald Green Arborvitae trees are dwarf-sized arborvitae compared to Green Giant, though Emerald Green has a bit more of an elegant and formal texture to them. Their smaller stature means they can be planted closer together. Growing only 3-4 feet wide, it is recommended to plant Emerald Green Arborvitae 4 feet apart from each other.
Now let's bring the calculator back out to help determine how many Emerald Greens you will need for the space you are looking to fill. The same equation applies from above, Length of yard you're covering ÷ spacing from trunk to trunk = The Total Number of Trees Needed. Let's say you have 40 feet of space to work with this time. Then divide that number by how far apart you will be planting them, which for Emerald Green is 4 feet apart. This comes to 10 trees you will need to plant to create a dense windbreaker or natural privacy hedge.
Example: 40 feet of landscape ÷ planting trees 4 feet apart = 10 Emerald Green trees you will need for that space.
Emerald Green can hold their own in the race, growing 1-2 feet a year! It won’t take long for a handsome lush green wall to flourish! Though if time is ticking, and you need this wall up now - there is a solution! Yes - you guessed it, The Zig-zag Method.
Create depth and dimension by staggering your Emerald Green Arborvitae trees, planting two rows that are 4 feet apart, which is guaranteed to become an instant privacy hedge the moment you plant. The unyielding, columnar form of these arborvitaes will thrive into a stylish protective barrier.
Common Questions About Arborvitae
How do I care for my new arborvitae trees?
Arborvitaes are fast growing and the different varieties give you many reasons to add a few to your landscape. Green varieties like full sun, but tolerate light shade as well. Arborvitaes prefer moist soil as long as it is well-drained, meaning it’s not consistently wet. Pests don’t seem to be of any concern for Arborvitaes.
Watering
They require keeping the soil moist (not too wet) after initial planting and be sure to water consistently for the first growing season. Once established, they are more tolerant of drought conditions, reducing your hand-watering responsibilities.
Mulching
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree, leaving a few inches of space around the trunk. This helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weeds.
Sunlight and Placement
Arborvitae thrive in full sun to partial shade. Ensure they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day for optimal growth.
Fertilizing
Use fertilizer on an annual basis and when you plant your arborvitae. We recommend Elements Fertilizer!
Pruning
Minimal pruning is required. Shear lightly to maintain shape, but avoid cutting into older wood as arborvitae may not regrow from it.
What is the mature width of Arborvitae?
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Emerald Green Arborvitae typically grows to about 3-4 feet wide at maturity. It’s a more compact, columnar variety perfect for smaller yards or tighter spaces.
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Green Giant Arborvitae can reach 12-15 feet wide at full maturity. This fast-growing variety thrives in larger spaces and is an excellent choice for expansive privacy screens.
Do I need to worry about pests and disease?
In areas with high deer activity, it’s a good idea to protect your Emerald Green arborvitae with a repellant to avoid unexpected “pruning.” The main pest you might encounter is the bagworm. These pests create small gray cocoons that dangle from the branches. Simply remove them by hand and crush them to prevent further damage – a quick and easy fix to keep your trees healthy!
For more information you can check out the Arborvitae section on our blog!
Bower & Branch Arborvitae
At Bower & Branch, we make it easy to transform your landscape with lush, mature arborvitae trees delivered directly to your door – in bulk! We’re the only online retailer offering arborvitae bundles from 6 to 100 trees, allowing you to build the perfect privacy hedge while saving more as you buy more.
Our tree bundles start at sizes other companies can’t match – reaching heights of 8 to 9 feet at delivery – giving you faster impact and immediate privacy without the long wait. Each tree is grown by expert US-based growers, ensuring exceptional quality and longevity. Whether you're looking to create a natural screen or enhance your yard’s greenery, our arborvitae provide instant beauty and privacy with minimal effort.
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