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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFor an Emerald Green arborvitae privacy row, a practical starting point is 3 to 4 feet apart, measured from the center of one plant to the center of the next. Green Giant and other larger cultivars need a different plan: check their expected mature width and the plant label before setting the row. Closer spacing can fill in sooner, but gives plants less room to spread and may require more maintenance.
Choose spacing based on cultivar and hedge style
“Arborvitae” covers plants with very different mature sizes, so there is no single spacing that suits every row. First identify the cultivar, then decide whether you want a formal hedge that will be sheared or an informal screen that keeps a more natural shape. Use the plant’s expected mature width and label as the basis for spacing.
Extension recommendations vary with the plant and purpose. Oregon State University Extension Service recommends spacing arborvitae 3 to 4 feet apart in its regional hedge guidance. The University of Connecticut Extension recommends 5 to 6 feet apart for arborvitae used in hedging. These figures are not competing universal rules: match the recommendation to the cultivar, intended form, and room available at your site.
Spacing guide for common planting goals
| Planting choice | Spacing or size guidance | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald Green (Smaragd) privacy row | Start around 3 to 4 feet apart, center to center. Oregon State University Extension reports a typical mature size of 12 to 15 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. | A wider gap allows more room for a natural shape; the row will take longer to look continuous. |
| Green Giant hedge or screen | University of Connecticut Extension recommends 5 to 6 feet apart for hedging. Oregon State University Extension reports a typical mature size of 40 to 60 feet tall and 12 to 18 feet wide. | It is much larger than Emerald Green. Consider the available site and the plant’s eventual spread before planting. |
| Formal, sheared shrub hedge | Iowa State University Extension and Outreach gives a general range of 1 to 2½ feet apart for formal, sheared shrub hedges. | This is general shrub guidance, not a universal recommendation for arborvitae. Do not apply it automatically to large, tree-sized cultivars. |
| Informal screen or naturally shaped specimens | Space according to the selected cultivar’s expected mature width; no single interval applies to every arborvitae. | More space preserves room for natural spread and reduces the need to manage plants as a tight hedge. |
What close and wide spacing mean for the row
Closer spacing fills the view sooner
Plants set nearer together can create a denser-looking screen sooner. The tradeoff is less room for canopy spread. An Ask Extension response about Emerald Green advises against allowing the canopies to grow together until plants become misshapen and notes airflow and disease concerns with close planting. A tight row may also need more attention to pruning and width.
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Wider spacing leaves room for mature growth
Spacing based on mature width is a better fit for an informal row or plants meant to keep their natural outline. The screen may take longer to close, but each plant has more room to spread. An Ask Extension expert addressing Emerald Green gives 3 to 4 feet as its mature width and says wider spacing is preferable to planting evergreens closer than their mature width.
Mark the row before you plant
- Confirm the cultivar. Check the plant label or current nursery description for the exact type and expected mature dimensions. Estimates vary by plant and conditions.
- Choose the intended form. Decide whether the plants will be sheared into a formal hedge or left to grow in a more natural shape.
- Select a center-to-center interval. For Emerald Green, use 3 to 4 feet as a practical starting point for a privacy row. For Green Giant, consider the 5-to-6-foot hedge guidance alongside its much greater eventual width and your available space.
- Mark each planting position. Measure from the center of one plant to the center of the next so the spacing stays consistent along the row.
- Follow planting directions for the plant and site. Oregon State University Extension advises digging a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just deep enough for its top to sit 1 to 2 inches above ground. Root-ball needs and local conditions matter, so follow the plant’s directions and local guidance.
Plan for maintenance as well as spacing
If a closely spaced row is kept to a limited height, its width still needs attention. The Ask Extension response cautions that shearing can leave a dense outer foliage layer with poor airflow and says thinning is preferable when maintaining an open plant. That advice is relevant when planning a close, controlled row; it is not a reason to assume every cultivar or hedge should be managed the same way.
Rank #2
- These are ready to plant and should be put in the ground according to the included instructions upon arrival. All pictures are of fully grown plants. Sizes shipped are in the title and description. Deciduous plants do not have leaves in the winter.
- California orders will be packaged according to their state regulations.
- Thrives in zones 3 through 8 with full to part sun.
- Sized shipped is 1 to 2 feet tall in gallon pots and double boxed for safe transport.
- Do not transplant into another container, only the ground. We ensure a successful transplant for 30 days if the included planting instructions are followed with the correct location and water. Deciduous plants bought dormant during the winter are expected to leaf out in the spring under the same conditions.
For regional concerns such as deer pressure, drought, or winter exposure, consult a local extension service. Neil Bell, a retired horticulturist with Oregon State University Extension Service, observed: “Some people look down on arborvitae, but it fits in places where other plants can’t,” a useful reminder that the right choice also depends on the site.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Made for Arborvitae Trees – Formulated to support healthy growth in arborvitae and evergreen hedges.
- Supports Dense Foliage & Root Strength – Helps encourage vibrant green growth and strong root systems.
- Balanced Nutrition for Evergreen Care – Provides nutrients suited for steady hedge and tree development.
- Ideal for Hedges & Landscape Plantings – Suitable for privacy hedges, borders, and yard plantings.
- Made in USA
Rank #3
- Shipped as a potted plant in its soil & Container
- Fast Growing 3 ft per year
- Very hardy Zones 5 - 9 Evergreen
- Space 6' - 7' apart for a quick screen
- Mature Height to 40 Feet Tall 15 Feet wide
Extension guidance and sources
- Oregon State University Extension Service: hedge spacing, cultivar dimensions, and planting guidance
- University of Connecticut Extension: arborvitae spacing for hedging
- Ask Extension: Emerald Green spacing, mature width, and airflow considerations
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach: general spacing for formal and informal shrub hedges
- University of Maryland Extension: Green Giant width information
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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